Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday and I would absolutely love it if you would give me a present!  Now cash is fine, but the very best gift would be your commitment to make the world a better place in some great or tiny way:  Write a letter of phrase to your favorite teacher, employee, or elected official; write a letter of complaint or of action to a corporate or world leader, neighborhood business or ward committee chair; contribute your time or money to a charitable organization (a few of my favorites are listed below); reach out to a child or young adult that you know need guidance or protection; plant a seed in the earth; recycle something; smile at a stranger; and / or hug someone you love today!  Thank you!   American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, CO 80221 (303) 426-8900. www.collegefund.org - There are 32 Indian founded tribal colleges fighting high rates of poverty, educational failure and cultural loss. These colleges created the nonprofit AICF to raise needed scholarship, endowment and operating funds. Aware of the historic relationship of survival through support between Native Americans and African Americans (and not ignoring her own heritage), T'Keyah would like to help. Amun Ra Theatre (ART), 2508 Clifton Avenue, Nashville, TN  37209 (615) 329-4228 www.amunratheatre.org - The mission of ART is to explore, in a public and educational forum, the universal themes of humanity as experienced through the worldview of African-American Drama, Music, Dance, and the Spoken Word. - T'Keyah conducted her "Tools of the Trade" Actor workshop at ART this fall and directed the world premier of  Founder/Artistic Director jeff obafemi carr's, "Route66: Finding Nat King Cole." Audience Development Committee, Inc., POB 30, Manhattanville Station, NY, NY 1002, 2469 Frederick Douglass Blvd., NY, NY 10030 (212) 368-6906 was established in 1973 by Vivian Robinson to generate understanding and awareness of the arts in African-American communities, provide better public relations, and to build new audiences for not-for-profit theater and dance companies. T'Keyah received a Best Solo Performance AUDELCO Award nomination for her show, "Some of My Best Friends" and served as a presenter at their annual awards presentation. Color Me Bright Youth Foundation P. O. Box 480329, Los Angeles, CA 90048 - is dedicated to making sure every child has a book to read. CMB hosts an ongoing "Books Brighten Your Life" campaign and essay contest, which provides matching funds for schools that raise money for school library books. The organization also collects books (and money to purchase books) for children in shelters. T'Keyah has volunteered for the organization's various fundraising events. DuSable Museum Of African-American History, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637-1495, (773) 947-0600 www.dusablemuseum.org and Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W. 125 ST., NY, NY 10027, (212) 864-4500 www.studiomuseuminharlem.org - are museums of African American art and history. T'Keyah loves art and history. She thinks that we should hold dear the experiences of the past - if not for the glory in them, then for the lessons of survival they contain. ETA Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 752-3955 www.etacreartivearts.org - is one of Chicago's leading African American cultural performing arts institutions. T'Keyah performed at ETA (as Dinah Washington, Tammy Terrell and a Regalette) in one of their longest running shows, "The Regal Theater." She has returned to visit and participate in panels and perform. Florida A & M University, POB 6562, Tallahassee, FL 32307, (805) 599-3000 - a four-year, public, co-educational and fully accredited institution of higher learning. As of fall 1997, FAMU offered 108 undergraduate degrees in 64 undergraduate programs and 60 graduate degrees in 32 graduate programs within its 12 Schools and Colleges. FAMU graduates more African Americans than any other college or university in the nation. www.famu.edu T'Keyah was recruited by FAMU's prestigious School of Business & Industry, and graduated with a degree in Theater. She has returned to visit, perform, speak and receive numerous awards including the Florida A & M University Millennium Award for being one of the 100 FAMUans of the Century. A FAMU theater scholarship has been established in her name. Hale House - Hale House Center, Inc. 152 West 122nd Street New York, NY 10027 (212) 663-0700, info@halehouse.org. Since 1969, hundreds of children have found sanctuary in Mother Hale's brownstone in Harlem. Today, Hale House continues to honor Mother Hale’s legacy — providing a warm, loving, nurturing home for infants and young children in need. Hale House also offers a vital support network for generations of families through its new and innovative educational programming and parent and child support services. Hale House remains committed to building better futures for children and families. www.halehouse.org - T'Keyah is a member of Hale House’s Board of Directors. To make a donation to Hale House Click Here. Institute for Black Parenting, 1299 E. Artisia Suite 200, Carson 90746 (310) 900-0930, www.blackparenting.org - is dedicated to the preservation of the Black family as a unit through the provision of family preservation, foster care and adoptive services. Email: zoglesby@successnet.net - T'Keyah has done several public service announcements for the organization, has spoken and served as hostess for their annual awards dinner and other events.     Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. / D.B. Todd, Jr., Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 327-6111 - since its founding in 1876, has provided superior health sciences education primarily to African Americans and other students of color. www.mmc.edu and Drew University of Medicine 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 563-4800 www.cdrewu.edu - Through innovative basic science, clinical, and health services research programs, Drew University faculty and students seek to address the health and social issues that strike hardest and deepest among inner city and minority populations. T'Keyah admires anyone who doesn't faint at the sight of blood and who wants to make it their life's work to heal the wounds of others. A Meharry medical scholarship has been established in her name. NABSIO, 1000 W. Century Blvd. #254, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 755-6024 www.nabsio.org - is a prison outreach ministry that provides a self-esteem building history curriculum to motivated men and women. "Each One Teach One, Each One Reach One." www.nabsio.org T'Keyah is inspired by the organization's tireless founders, Dr. Donald Evans and Brother Nathaniel Ali. She is an advisor and honorary board member and she proudly sponsors one of the women in the program. Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, Jacksonville, FL (202) 328-0569 Box Office (904) 765- 7373 - is dedicated to entertaining and culturally enriching multicultural audiences by producing quality live "theatre that enlightens". www.stageaurora.org/ - T'Keyah attended Florida A & M University with the theater's founder, Darryl Reuben Hall. The Essential Theater, Suite 100, 1112 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 328-0569, Fax (301) 292-6188 info@theessentialtheatre.org, www.theessentialtheatre.org - is dedicated to producing quality African American theatrical productions and developing new works by African American playwrights. T'Keyah attended Florida A & M University with the theater's founder, S. Robert Morgan. The Harvest Institute, 623 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 518-2465, www.harvestinstitute.org/ - is a non-profit, tax exempt research educational, policy and advocacy organization founded in 1993 by Dr. Claud Anderson, author of Black Labor, White Wealth: A Search for Power and Economic Justice and PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America. The Harvest Institute’s mission is to engage in activities that lead to a Black America that is self-sufficient and competitive as a group within the next decade. T'Keyah is inspired by Dr. Anderson’s plan to achieve economic empowerment for Black people. Tutwiler Clinic and Outreach, c/o Sister J. Blomme, P.O. Box 462, 205 Alma Street, Tutwiler, MS 38963. (601) 345-8334 or (601) 345-8393 www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=613 - a volunteer staff works with community members to provide basic necessities for indigent women and children in Tutwiler. Donations of any size of personal items, (soap, tooth paste, etc.) clothing, medical and household supplies and books are welcomed. T'Keyah was made aware of the Tutwiler years ago by event planner Yvonne White's creative annual efforts to support this wonderful clinic. The Keymáh Cultural Fund - Established by T'Keyah to support and encourage programs, events and activities in the arts that benefit underserved African American youth. T'Keyah believes that involvement in the arts decreases the likelihood that young people get into trouble and increases their overall productivity. To make a tax deductible contribution, click below or to learn more about The Keymáh Cultural Fund Click Here.