Soul Food Junkies

I have met some absolutely amazing people in my life. Byron Hurt is one of those souls of my very own generation who is powerfully and consistently touching the lives of others in meaningful ways. I met Byron back when I was an undergraduate student at Boston University. I’d see him at different events and would listen to him on the radio. Northeastern University’s radio station was hittin’ and had this homesick New Yorker not feeling so far away from home when I’d be jamming to the latest hip hop and R&B joints.

We crossed paths again when I was a corporate funder of domestic violence programs. Byron spoke at two conferences that I funded featuring his film “Beyond Beats & Rhymes,” the Hip Hop & Domestic Violence Conference at York College and then the A Call To Men National Conference at John Jay College. Watching Byron speak at both events, what stuck out to me the most was his passion to explore issues and behaviors within the Black Community regardless of the risks that he had to take in the process. “Beyond Beats & Rhymes” provided an extremely revealing and raw look at issues of masculinity, homophobia, violence and sexism within Hip Hop and the Black Community. His level of engagement around each of these issues was incredible.

At this time I also learned that he’d already completed a film called “I Am A Man: Black Masculinity in America” and his first documentary “Moving Memories: The Black Senior Video Yearbook.” Later he made another film  “Barack & Curtis.” He became a father, which he documented with a beautiful video that I watched on facebook one day. He also experienced the passing of his father. Courageously he shared this most personal story in the book Be a Father to Your Child: Real Talk from Black Men on Family, Love, and Fatherhood edited by April R. Silver. Byron’s ability to capture and share a story is honestly beyond words. Through his writing, speeches and films Byron touches our souls and moves us to think as well as to act with greater wisdom, ultimately moving humanity forward.

Right now Byron is working on yet another powerful and important project: Soul Food Junkies. What is the history behind these ever so popular and tasty eats? I don’t know. I’m what people call a Jamerican.  Born of Jamaican parents yet raised here in America, while I may eat soul food often, I have no idea where the traditions come from. Is soul food a major contributor to the health challenges facing people of color? Perhaps when Byron’s film is finished we’ll all know the answers to these questions and much more about soul food.

I am supporting the Soul Food Junkies project because I believe that this film will further reveal the fullness of our history and share a story that deserves to be both told and known for generations to come. Will you join me by making a pledge to the Soul Food Junkies Kickstarter campaign today? Any and every pledge brings this project one step closer to completion. Be it $10, $50, $100 or more, please do support Soul Food Junkies!

For more information about Byron and his projects go to BHurt.com. Also, check out this interview that he did with April R. Silver and what he has to say about making an impact in the world. Listen to Byron’s interview with April.

Thank you for your support!

SHAWNA MARIE “BLAZE”
@UMystic

(c) Copyright 2011 Shawna Marie. All rights reserved.

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