Chicago Sunnyside Podcast

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah Debasah This is our second installment of our coverage and commentary on Kebtah's (The Earth Center's) 30 Year Anniversary Celebration at the Het Aishat Temple in Togo. This amazing 3 day and 3 night event was part of Kebtah's Annual Cultural and Spiritual Pilgrimage to Meritah (Indigenous Africa).This episode features footage from our travels to Togo, including:Pouring libations to honor the AncestorsTraditional African dance to celebrate initiation (rites of passage)Master drummers and griots bringing proverbs with profound meaning In this episode, we discuss: 100 degree temperature difference between Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and ChicagoCultural appropriation of the term "Western"Modern day slavery prevents us from investing in our evolution and traveling to enrich our livesThe importance of investing in ourselves instead of material gain and how we measure happinessNuances in culture that you probably wouldn't noticeGetting the attention of the invisibleYouth taking pride in their culture, traditions and initiationsSpeech is the most powerful medicine (or poison)Structure, etiquette and hierarchy in traditionLinks & Resources:DuSable Museum of Black History & Education Center with The Earth Center on Resistance and Resilience against the Slave Trade: https://fb.watch/y3-dnhXp2D/Become a Member of the Kebtah Movement: https://www.theearthcenter.org/signupstep1 Learn more about our Annual Pilgrimage: https://www.theearthcenter.org/pilgrimage See more of the 3 day celebrations on the Gate of Gates podcast: Pt 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVWva8J1LcQ&t=954s Pt 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emncLvvVg3M&t=16874s Pt 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFoXCdF1NHM&t=524s

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah DebasahThe world is coming together to stand up for Burkina Faso and its President, Ibrahim Traore after yet another coup attempt and ridiculous accusations by a American General and head of AFRICOM, Michael Langley. We speak on our activities in Burkina Faso, visits to the Gulmu (Gourmantche) King and the Presidential Palace, and our solidarity with Captain Ibrahim Traore.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 - 3:30 - Intro: Traoré supporters stand in solidarity3:31 - 18:26 - Kebtah visits Gulmu (Gourmantché) King18:27 - 19:55 - Kebtah visits Burkina Faso Presidential Palace19:56 - 31:16 - AES / West Africa Unites Against Neocolonialism31:17 - 37:56 - A Sovereign African Currency & Gadaffi's assassination37:57 - 46:17 - U.S. General Langley Accuses Captain Traoré46:18 - 54:50 - People of African and the Diaspora Stand Up54:51 - 1:01:18 - Attacks on Traoré & Briberies1:01:19 - 1:07:00 - Outro: Get Involved & The People of Burkina Faso anthem

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah Debasah Guests: Elders of Tahbalo, Tem knife dancers & horsemenWe just returned from our Annual pilgrimage. Every year The Earth Center hosts an Annual Pilgrimage taking members, students, initiates and guests to tour the cultural and spiritual sites of Kemet (Indigenous Africa). This year, pilgrimage activities were focused on the celebrations we hosted in Central Togo commemorating our 30 year anniversary of Master Naba bringing the Kebtah mission to the West. Join us to learn more about the original tradition of spiritual pilgrimage and some of the activities and profound experiences of this year’s trip.In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 - 4:00 - Intro - "He's Our Prophet"4:01 - 10:39 - Kebtah Mission10:40 - 25:16 - Annual Pilgrimage to Niger Valley25:17 - 35:10 - Material Wealth or Wealth of Knowledge? 35:11 - 47:55 - Mola Clan Royalty - Dangers of Modern Ideology & Religion47:56 - 1:00:16 - Mastery of Nature1:00:17 - 1:05:23 - Mastering Iron, Impenetrable Warriors1:05:24 - 1:07:20 - Kebtah Community Membership1:07:21 - 1:09:46 - Modern Stigmatization of Africa1:09:47 - 1:13:01 - Cultural Sell-Outs1:13:02 - 1:22:35 - Outro - Order & Values of African SocietiesLinks & Resources: 🌍 Become a Member of the Kebtah Movement: https://www.theearthcenter.org/signupstep1✈️ Learn more about our Annual Pilgrimage: https://www.theearthcenter.org/pilgrimage🎊 See more of the 3 day celebrations on the Gate of Gates podcast: Pt 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVWva8J1LcQ&t=954sPt 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emncLvvVg3M&t=16874sPt 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFoXCdF1NHM&t=524s🇧🇫 DuSable Museum of Black History & Education Center with The Earth Center from Burkina: https://www.facebook.com/DuSableMuseum/videos/1005771514987816

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah Debasah After our Annual Pilgrimage to Meritah (Africa), the Sunnyside team revisits the value of Meritah (African) culture and why you won't understand even if you experience it yourself. IYKYK. In this episode, we spoke about:0:00 - 2:07 Intro2:08 - 7:28 Misconceptions about Meritah Culture7:29 - 9:43 Prioritizing Coming Home to Learn9:44 - 10:53 Culture of Pseudo-Freedom10:54 - 26:10 Emotional Approach to Life26:11 - 27:52 Do Black Americans Have A Culture?27:53 - 31:08 Preservers of Black Culture31:09 - 34:14 Being Educated into Culture34:15 - 40:20 Social Order and Royalty in Traditional Societies40:21 - 47:28 Functioning on Pleasures or Principles?47:29 - 50:36 Outro

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh & Giziribtah Debasah Guests: Elder Anthony ColeWe continue our series honoring our Elders, confronting the way we’re encouraged to devalue them. We speak to genealogist Elder Anthony Cole who teaches us how to get started in investigating in our family history. Our first and most important step must be interviewing the living Elders of our families and getting some of the wealth of wisdom and stories they have. By doing so, we start on a journey towards discovering our Ancestors, who and where we come from. Discovering our Ancestors is discovering ourselves, a critical step that must not be neglected as it expands our understanding of ourselves and the world. Elder Anthony gives advice and detailed instructions on getting started with interviewing your Elders.In this episode we talk about: 0:00 - 0:37 - Intro0:38 - 4:55 - Valuing Our Elders Series4:56 - 8:39 - Introducing the Episode8:40 - 13:29 - Happy New Year - Holy Days vs Holidays13:30 - 18:50 - Welcoming Anthony Cole18:51 - 22:08 - Confronting the Disconnect with Our Past22:09 - 30:56 - Genealogy - fastest growing hobby 30:57 - 38:38 - Getting Started in Family History 38:39 - 1:06:16 - Personal Stories1:06:17 - 1:10:18 - Our Elders are Passing1:10:19 - 1:14:04 - Writing & Genealogy 1:14:05 - 1:16:04 - Artificial Intelligence & Genealogy1:16:05 - 1:19:52 - From Special-Ed to University Teacher1:19:53 - 1:26:16 - Outro & Contact infoLinks & Resources: storycorps.orghttps://communitycuration.orgBlack Roots books - https://a.co/d/c4PX0NS

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah Debasah Guest: Dr. Haki Madhubuti The Sunnyside crew got out to Third World Press to interview its founder and co-founder of the Institute of Positive Education & Betty Shabazz Charter School, distinguished poet, writers, activist and organizer, Dr. Haki Madhubuti. In this Episode, we discuss: His elders and contemporaries who inspired him The meaning of his name and significance of taking a name from ones culture His travels to Africa and meeting African presidents Leadership in Black Chicago The importance of being self-funded Why he's never taken a salary from his enterprises Helping Louis Farrakhan re-establish the Nation of Islam and plan the Million Man March Why not everyone should homeschool

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh & Kasabez Maakmaah Happy Charm of AishatIn this episode, our hosts speak about the hypocrisy of the modern world presenting Indigenous People's Day after a thorough extermination of Indigenous People and their Culture. They speak about the calendar and holidays of the Pharaonic Calendar, preserved by indigenous communities in Africa and wish everyone a Happy Charm of Aishat - the original model of Mother's Day. They get into speaking about Kebtah's upcoming 30 Year Anniversary Celebration Event happening in Burkina Faso where Kebtah, a BIPOC organization honors the wisdom keepers, Elders and Dignitaries which allow it to do what it has been doing for the past 30 years. Purchase the Kemetic Sidereal Calendar: https://www.risingfirefly.org/shop/p/kemeticcalendar424Learn More about Kebtah's Upcoming 30 Year Anniversary Event: https://www.theearthcenter.org/celebrating-30-yearsSponsor the Event: https://www.theearthcenter.org/get-involved/become-a-sponsorTravel with us on Pilgrimage:https://www.theearthcenter.org/pilgrimageDONATE to our Children's Education Campaign HERE: http://charity.gofundme.com/ec-childrens-education-project0:00 - 6:41 - Irony of Indigenous People's Day on Columbus Day6:42 - 10:11 - Charm of Aishat / Original Mother's Day10:12 - 22:59 - Celebrating 30 Years of Kebtah23:00 - 29:24 - Ambassadors of Colonization29:25 - 35:26 - Message to African Youth35:27 - 42:04 - Outro: How You Can SupportVisit our website: theearthcenter.orgCheck out our publications and more at: https://www.risingfirefly.org/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kebtahFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kebtah

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh & Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Elmer Dixon, Co-Founder of the Black Panther Party’s Seattle ChapterHappy Sunstick Day!The Black Panther Party was a powerful movement of young people motivated by the love of themselves and their communities took responsibility for the protection and well-being of their neighborhoods. Though it’s been demonized by the American government and mass media it has influenced freedom movements around the world. Hear from Elmer Dixon, co-founder with his older brother Aaron Dixon of the first chapter of the Black Panther Party started outside of the state of California. In part one of this two part series Mr. Dixon talks about how his predecessors and upbringing contributed to his revolutionary spirit and his contribution to the movement. He goes over stories with Emmit Till, Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael), H. Rap Brown, Bobby Seale, and Bobby Hutton.0:00 - 5:08 - Intro of Guest: Elmer Dixon5:09 - 24:04 - Familial Influences24:05 - 29:37 - A Family's Focus on Diversity & Multiculturalism29:38 - 32:02 - Childhood Ambitions32:03 - 35:04 - Seattle: Stokely Carmichael's Black Power Speech35:05 - 46:57 - Getting Political Consciousness46:58 - 48:36 - Meeting Bobby Seale48:37 - 50:29 - Murder of Lil' Bobby Hutton50:30 - 51:08 - Aaron & Elmer Dixon Start Chapter of Black Panther Party51:09 - 52:35 - Bobby Hutton's Funeral52:36 - 53:40 - Ready to Die for the Revolution...

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh & Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Elmer Dixon, Co-Founder of the Black Panther Party’s Seattle ChapterThe Black Panther Party was a powerful movement of young people motivated by the love of themselves and their communities took responsibility for the protection and well-being of their neighborhoods. Though it’s been demonized by the American government and mass media it has influenced freedom movements around the world. Hear part two from Elmer Dixon, co-founder with his older brother Aaron Dixon of the first chapter of the Black Panther Party started outside of the state of California. In the final episode of this two part series Mr. Dixon talks about his experiences in the Black Panther Party, the Party's global influence and the lessons future revolutionaries and freedom fighters can take from the movement even in today's climate. He talks about what is on the horizon for him in his commitment to justice and freeing communities from oppression. One of his biggest messages is youth need to read more and stay informed so as not to be taken advantage of. Read more in his book, Die Standing: https://a.co/d/7pynx2YRead his brother's book, My People are Rising:https://a.co/d/0IIS94URead To Die for the People by Huey Newton: https://a.co/d/5EbXAZ5All Power to the People!

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. of the Black Panther Party CubsThe Sunnyside Podcast crew came out to Maywood, Illinois for a tour of The Hampton House, the childhood home of the late Chairman Fred Hampton Sr. of the Black Panther Party Illinois Chapter. On December 4, 1969, the Chicago police raided Chairman Fred's home in the middle of the night and assassinated him in his sleep, also murdering Defense Captain Mark Clark. The 21 year old Chairman Fred Hampton and his 19 year old wife, Akua Njeri (formerly known as Deborah Johnson) were expecting the birth of their son at the time of his murder, which Njeri was present for. We interviewed that son, Fred Hampton Jr. in his father's childhood home that he and his organization, The Black Panther Party Cubs, have recovered and restored.He spoke about:Challenges and support he's received in carrying on his father's legacyHe and his mother's participation in informing the production of the movie "Judas and the Black Messiah" about his father's life and deathTrauma and abuse in juvenile detentionAcknowledging the 55th anniversary of Chairman Fred Hampton Sr.'s assassination, 12/4/24Get engaged with the Black Panther Party CubsSchedule a TourJoin the One Prisoner, One Contact [email protected] Em All RadioYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@chairmanfredjr7032Social MediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialchairmanfredhamptonjr/IG StreetzParty - https://www.instagram.com/chairmanfredstreetzparty/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thechairmanfredjrThe Hampton House804 S. 17th Ave, Maywood, ILhttps://www.savethehamptonhouse.org/International Revolutionary Day - Dec 4th, 12pm2337 S. Monroe, ChicagoThe Wall - Madison & CaliforniaJudas & the Black Messiahhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt9784798/

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh, Giziribtah Debasah & Kasabez MAAKMAAHGuests: Omar Torres & Jose GuzmanWe begin a series on the cultural diversity that exists within Chicago with the city’s longest standing Latino or AfroCaribbean cultural center, the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center. We speak to the executive director and one of the directors from the center about Puerto Rica’s culture, resistance and African roots as well as the cultural programming and education that SRBCC has brought enriching Chicago for over 50 years now.In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 - 1:05 - Introduction1:05 - 3:48 - Our Chicago’s Cultural Diversity Series & SRBCC3:49 - 8:05 - Kebtah opens the doors of initiation on July 6th8:06 - 9:27 - First Chicago Kebtah Community Meeting9:28 - 18:39 - Welcoming guests & their road to cultural preservation? 18:40 - 21:55 - SRBCC: Revolutionary activism & promoting African Roots21:56 - 25:10 - Youth Programs & Professional Artistry25:11 - 29:48 - Segundo Ruiz Belvis & Agua de Libertad29:49 - 35:28 - Preserving Culture through the Arts at SRBCC: Bomba & Afro-Caribbean Jazz35:29 - 41:31 - What does it mean to be Puerto Rican? 41:32 - 51:44 - Revival of Bomba & AfroCarribean Music history in Puerto Rico51:45 - 58:06 - The National Anthem of Puerto Rico58:14 - 1:02:09 - Culture as a Commodity vs. Living Culture1:02:10 - 1:04:23 - The Puerto Rican Flag1:04:24 - 1:07:27 - Expanding SRBCC Staff & Programming1:07:28 - 1:09:00 - Upcoming July Event (19th & 20th weekend)1:09:01 - 1:10:55 - Exchange Programs & Artist Residencies1:10:56 - 1:13:48 - Cooking Cuisine, Garden & Mural Project1:13:49 - 1:18:49 - Personal Projects1:18:50 - 1:25:18 - Come Visit SRBCC - Summer Events & Programming1:25:19 - 1:28:58 - Juneteenth an AfroDescendant Holiday1:28:59 - 1:29:26 - OutroLinks: Kebtah Doors of Initiation Opening in Chicagohttps://link.theblackmall.com/widget/form/AGLNzfRHZZvQLO7XALWlKebtah Doors of Initiation Opening in Upstate New York; Toronto, Ontario; Coventry, Midlands UK & Ouagadougou, Burkina Fasohttps://www.theearthcenter.org/our-branches/mtam-temples?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1UQJTf8nZaYji0X9tS5Hn4mLEfyvK5aJiArPeWsDpAnr8B8wg8c0WBqhc_aem_uGlTlftyt8b9uq-XnlTWlgKebtah Membership:https://www.theearthcenter.org/membershipSRBCC: https://segundoruizbelvis.org/Muralists: https://www.colectivomorivivi.com/Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collectivehttps://acjcmusic.com/homehttps://www.youtube.com/@JoseGuzmanMusicPuerto Rico: A National History by Jorell Melendez-Badillohttps://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691231273/puerto-rico

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Giziribtah Debasah & Kasabez MaakmaahGuest: Owen LeRoiWe continue our series on cultural diversity in Chicago with the city’s Haitian American Museum of Chicago. We speak to their Special Projects Coordinator about his history as a high profile radio host in Haiti, Haiti's legacy of funding revolutions in the western hemisphere and America's manipulation to marginalize Haiti's potential and alter the Creole language.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you! Chicagosunnyside.net Hosts: Nehez Meniooh & Kasabez Maakmaah Happy Kemetic New YearThe Sunnyside Podcast returns after a short hiatus. In this episode, our hosts speak on the Kemetic Sidereal Calendar, which is humanity's original calendar. We get into the disconnection of the modern human from our understanding of and harmonization with nature and how our understanding of time helps us reconnect with the Divine Order. We also describe the great blessing of being connected with a temple that gives us access to Divine and Ancestral wisdom of the year.Purchase the Kemetic Sidereal Calendar: https://www.risingfirefly.org/shop/p/kemeticcalendar424Read the Annual Divination from the Kebtah Temples: https://www.risingfirefly.org/annual-divinationUnderstanding the Annual Divination Workshop: Coming soon on risingfirefly.org0:00 - 5:42 - Happy Kemetic New Year, Exploring Other Calendars5:43 - 9:46 - The Start of the Farmer's Year & Real Natural Rhythms9:47 - 15:14 - The Political Manipulation of Modern Calendar15:15 - 18:14 - Astronomical Calendars, Timing & Tracking Energetic Shifts17:35 - 22:30 - Various Kemetic Years: Farmer's Year & Astronomical Year 22:31 - 25:17 - What is a 1/4 of a day? - Exploitation towards Mental Instability25:18 - 28:18 - Indigenous Technology: The Great Year & Munny Cycle28:19 - 32:29 - Modern Plagiarism & the War on Nature32:30 - 39:09 - Indigenous Alignment - Annual Divination Workshop 39:10 - 43:29 - Connect to Ancestors/Nature & Holy Days43:30 - 47:53 - Practical Benefits of a "Real" Calendar47:54 - 50:06 - Challenging all Freedom Fighters!Subscribe to watch more videos like this https://bit.ly/ECYTSubscribe Visit our website: theearthcenter.orgCheck out our publications and more at: https://www.risingfirefly.org/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kebtahFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kebtah

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah & Giziribtah DebasahGuests: Jahzra ShemzuraComing out of our Community Defense series, we return to celebrating the 25th year of Kebtah’s impact on the city of Chicago. We discuss the transformational potential of the mission in assisting all of us in confronting the prison industrial complex of America. Our guest Jahzra Shemzura began The Earth Center prison project to bring the Kebtah mission (indigenous African wisdom) into inmate populations. Listen to her experiences, challenges and what’s to come. 0:00 - 2:20 - Introductions & Welcoming the Guest2:21 - 5:35 - 30 years in the West5:36 - 10:50 - Master Naba brings mission to Chicago10:51 - 12:34 - Chicago Juneteenth Events Ad12:35 - 17:49 - Initial Impression of Kebtah Mission (Giziribtah Debasah)17:50 - 20:49 - Jahzra Shemzura & Kebtah's Mission Answering the Questions20:50 - 23:52 - Kebtah Africans securing the future of Africa23:53 - 26:47 - An escape from the colonial tract - Kasabez Maakmaah26:48 - 28:49 - Impression of the humility of Master Naba & Kebtah Community28:50 - 30:23 - American Epidemic of Devaluing Life (Homicides, Suicides)30:24 - 49:49 - Jahzra's Insights into American Prison Industrial Complex49:50 - 53:17 - Imprisonment in Indigenous Cultures? 53:18 - 56:27 - Power of Kebtah Mission for True Rehabilitation56:28 - 1:02:08 - Initiating the Kebtah Prison Project & Possibilities of Continuing1:02:09 - 1:07:00 - Kebtah mission in the community - Get in Touch1:07:01 - 1:08:19 - Next series: Chicago's Cultural Diversity & Outrowww.theearthcenter.orgwww.anhlife.org

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Giziribtah Debasah & Kasabez MaakmaahGuest: Desmond Owusu We continue our series on cultural preservation and diversity with Desmond Owusu of the Ghana National Council Chicago and Betty Shabazz International Charter School.Links:Ghana National Council, Chicago: https://gncchicago.org/Betty Shabazz International Charter School: https://www.bsics.org/We All We Got Apparrel: https://www.weallwegot.co/New Kebtah Website: https://www.theearthcenter.org/

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Giziribtah Debasah & Kasabez MaakmaahIn this special live episode, we cover Burkina Faso's new national holiday, the Day of Customs and Traditions. We cover the transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traore's historic visit to the National Culture Museum in the nation's capital, Ouagadougou, where he reemphasized the importance of traditional knowledge in the protection of Burkinabe communities and lands, particularly in the face of the scourge of jihadist terrorism sweeping the Sahel region of Africa for nearly 15 years now.Your hosts field questions from the live audience on the emergence of the Alliance des États du Sahel (Alliace of Sahel States, or AES) between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in response to aggression and sanctions imposed by ECOWAS (Economic Organization of West African States) aimed at pressuring Niger to restore power to their deposed president last year.We noted the history that has led to the emergence of this alliance and the break of its leaders from the democratic model that has failed to bring benefit to the people of their countries. The Day of Customs and Traditions brought to light the value instead of traditional masks and hunters' societies such as the Dosso in Bobo Dioulasso, Western Burkina Faso and the neighboring countries of Mali and Ivory Coast.We express the message The Day of Customs and Traditions brings to the people of Burkina Faso to return to reliance on their traditional knowledge and ways of life to address their problems without continued dependence on foreign aid and interference. We talked about the value of traditional knowledge for those of us in the "West" where that knowledge is lacking, and the benefit of seeking it wherever we can find it. We discussed the historical movements for liberation in the West and how they have been derailed or coopted and the importance of having strong values to protect our institutions, knowing the history of COINTELPRO and other efforts to subvert our grassroots movements.We also fielded questions on the spiritual and strategic approaches to community defense and protection in line with our ongoing series on the topic. The the many was we can protect ourselves before the possibility of violence comes into play, including the veneration of Ancestors, Deities, Genie and the forces of nature our lives depend on in general.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh & Giziribtah DebasahGuests: Orion Meadows & Shunda CollinsIn our final interview in our Community Defense series, we speak to two members of the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC) a non-profit organization working in community violence intervention and victim services. Like many others, not just within the Institute but around the nation, our guests strive to live by and apply Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr’s philosophy of nonviolence. Listen as they explain the depth of this well-known but too often misunderstood philosophy and its usefulness in transforming individuals and neighborhoods around the city of Chicago. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 - 04:53 Series Wrap Up Intro4:54 - 15:19 Guest Introductions15:20 - 18:17 INVC & Kingian Philosophy of Nonviolence18:18 - 24:49 Kingian NonViolence in Community Violence Intervention24:50 - 32:42 - Departments of INVC32:43 - 34:39 - Economic Opportunity vs Recidivism & Mass Incarceration34:40 - 37:42 - Programming Focused on Household Leadership37:43 - 44:03 Contending with the Media Portrayal of Dr. King44:04 - 48:27 - Teny Gross road to Chicago & Kingian Nonviolence around the country48:28 - 50:49 - Understanding the depth of Violence50:50 - 55:48 - Women more involved in Violence55:49 - 58:57 - INVC & correctional facilities58:58 - 1:07:07 - The Surviving Vision of the Beloved Community1:07:08 - 1:10:49 - A Principled Lifestyle & the Depth of Culture in our Communities1:10:50 - 1:11:59 - How to Get Involved with INVC1:12:00 - 1:19:09 - INVC, the church & the ancient legacy of nonviolence1:19:10 - 1:27:14 - Hosts’ Conclusion1:27:15 - Sunnyside OutroGet in touch with the Insitute for Nonviolence Chicago: Websitehttps://www.nonviolencechicago.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonviolencechiOrion MeadowsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/institutefornonviolencechicago/@orion_meadows_Locations: 1856 N LeClaire Ave.5114 S. Elizabeth (Precious Blood)4401 W. Madison (at W. Garfield)

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Giziribtah Debasah &amp; Nehez MenioohGuests: Dr. Ameena MatthewsWe continue our series on community protection with a daughter of Chicago Royalty when it comes to street organization. Dr. Ameena Matthews is a mother, political activist and violence interrupter. During the episode, she sheds some light on her path to peace building. She brings stories of Chicago’s hidden history with Chairman Fred Hampton, Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson, J. Edgar Hoover, Muammar Gaddafi and her father, Abdul Malik Ka’bah’s (Jeff Fort - the founder of the Blackstone P Rangers, aka El Rufkns). She gets into her experiences in her fight to free her father from a prison in Colorado. She gained national notoriety with the PBS documentary, the Interrupters presenting her work with Ceasefire. Today, she is active on Chicago’s Southside bringing spiritual and cultural awareness with IMAN (Inner-City Muslim Action Network) as she leads countless programs and activities to bring positive change to Chicago’s streets.In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 - 1:18 - Sunnyside Intro1:19 - 5:17 - Welcome &amp; Introductions5:18 - 6:37 - Ameena’s Invitation to Kebtah Temple &amp; Introducing Herself6:38 - 16:21 - My path to peace building16:22 - 24:16 - A Mother’s Influence &amp; Fighting Obscurity &amp; B.S.24:17 - 24:44 - My Father’s Influence &amp; Spiritual guidance24:45 - 27:46 - Islam’s Effective Reforming in Black America27:47 - 32:24 - Meeting Husband &amp; Marrying Deeper into a Movement32:25 - 39:25 - The Legacy of Jeff Fort (Abdul Malik Ka’bah)39:26 - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KXFx5BS4ys&amp;t=2528s" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh &amp; Kasabez MaakmaahGuests: Nubian Malik &amp; Osei Sankara of the Chicago Bolozi WazeeThis is a special LIVE episode to give our guests an unfiltered opportunity to express the value of Kwanzaa. We will also speak on their work in self-defense and survival training.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHost: Kasabez MaakmaahGuest: Ameera PernebsatiIn this episode, we touch on the tragic trend of disappearing girls in Chicago and tie it into the worldwide pandemic of human trafficking. Topics include:Dangers faced by migrants around the world in search of a "better life" in the US and EuropeSigns of ssexual abuse and abusersAccountability of parentsCommunity solidarity to protect our babiesModern education should be balanced by cultural guidance

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Kasabez Maakmaah, Giziribtah Debasah &amp; Nehez MenioohGuests: Marquinn McDonaldWe start our new series on community protection with Marquinn McDonald of Watchguard Chicago. McDonald is a master of self-defense. Studying and teaching martial arts as well as competing in martial arts competitions he teaches self-defense to men, women and children. He mentors young men and works with others to organize community towards village values and self-responsibility and protection. His Watchguard organization patrols Chicago’s South side neighborhoods in order to take extreme ownership for the Chicago streets that we call home. Watchguard is available for coaching you to start block clubs and form block chains in order to take an active role in the protection of yourself, your family, your neighborhood and city. In this episode, we discuss: 1. Introducing Marquinn McDonald2. Grandmother Nana Ruby Griffin - Legacy of Defense3. Uncle First Sensei - Legacy of Martial Artist4. The Sensei of Chicago - Teaching Self-Defense5. Value of Martial Arts to Youth &amp; Health6. A Family of Police Officers - Good Examples &amp; Bad Examples7. What is Watchguard? 8. Scope &amp; Impact of Watchguard? 9. Training, Skills &amp; Focus of Watchguard10. Size of Watchguard &amp; Expanding the Impact11. Holistic Approach to Real Problem of Violence 12. Importance of Block Club Associations13. We must take “Extreme Ownership”14. Contacting WatchguardLinks:Marquinn [email protected]://www.instagram.com/the_sensei_of_chicago/Watchguard ChicagoWebsite: watchguardchicago.orgEmail: [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/WatchguardChicago/Toni Andersonhttps://speakerhub.com/speaker/toni-andersonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-mindfulrant-llc-904175255mindfulrantllc.lifeChicago Beyondhttps://chicagobeyond.org/Ujimaa Medicshttps://www.umedics.org/Chicago CREDhttps://www.chicagocred.org/The Kerner Reporthttps://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174242/the-kerner-reportBlack Researchers Collectivehttps://www.blackresearcherscollective.com/staffCommunity Assistance Programshttps://capsinc.org/

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah &amp; Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Nekhitem Kamenthu, Executive Director of The Earth CenterIn this continuation of our commemoriation of 25 years of the Kebtah mission in the West, we speak with our Executive Director, Nekhitem Kamenthu. We talk about our experiences working to keep this mission going after the death of our founder, Master Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig, and how our activities ahve expanded since that time.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh &amp; Kasabez MaakmaahIn this final installment of our series on health and healing your hosts bring the topic to a close with some poignant analysis.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh &amp; Kasabez MaakmaahGuest: Cicely McClennonIn our final interview in our series on health resources, we turn our attention to food. Our guest this time is Cicely McClennon. Cicely is a long time activist and organizer for revolutionary struggle. Her focus has been on food sovereignty, the effort to control our own land and grow our own food, whether in an urban or rural setting. Cicely is a "native" of Englewood in Chicago and a repatriate to Ghana in Africa. She works with many food growing and processing organizations and cooperatives, in addition to legislators involved with food policy to provide access to quality food and profitability to food producers.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 - 0:41 - Intro0:42 - 3:31:6 - Welcome &amp; Today’s Guest Introduction3:31:7 -6:17.6 - Kebtah Milestones &amp; Upcoming Events6:19.1 - 7:55 - The Year of Truth7:56.2 - 25:49.8 - Byron Allen &amp; The Griot Awards25.50 - 27:32.2 - Episode Proverb27:32.3 - 35:52 - Introducing Cicely McClennon35:53 - 41:55 - Englewood Food Deserts, White Flight &amp; Gentrification41:56 - 46:28.2 - Student of Llaila Afrika &amp; Understanding Nutritional Value46:28.3 - 48:39 - Assessments &amp; Healthy People dying young &amp; Metabolic Capacity48:40 - 57:37.9 - Food as luxury vs Food as medicine57:38.0 - 1:05:14.1 - Local Growers/Local Food Advocacy with State Rep1:05:14.2 - 1:08:56.7 - Other pillars/resources in the Food Advocacy Movement1:08:56.8 - 1:15:37.3 - Work in Ghana with Food Cooperatives1:15:37.4 - 1:23:59 - Current projects to raise awareness on Food Advocacy1:24:00.7 - 1:29:09.7 - Building from the basis of human society1:29:09.8 - 1:34:24.3 - Control your food or surrender your freedom: Work vs Slavery1:34:24.4 - 1:39:33.4 - Spiritual aspect of nature1:39:33.5 - Dietary considerationsContact Info for Cicely McClennon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cicely-mcclennon-59323b4Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newafrikan/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/cicelymcclennonEmail: [email protected] for the Episode:Byron Allen Griot Awards full speechhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlIO09WVr8Dr Kweli Kwaza’s instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drkwelikwaza1/Kemetic Diet Part 1https://www.risingfirefly.org/sunnyside-blog/survivors-notebook-the-kemetic-diet?rq=dietKemetic Diet Part 2https://www.risingfirefly.org/sunnyside-blog/the-kemetic-diet-part-ii?rq=dietState Representative Sonya Harperhttps://www.repsonyaharper.com/Illinois EATS Initiative: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=154467Chicago Botanic Garden’s Kenya Sample: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/staffGrow Greater Englewood: https://www.growgreater.org/Growing Home: https://www.growinghomeinc.org/Urban Grower’s Collective (Erika Allen)https://www.urbangrowerscollective.org/Ankhkasta Natural Healing Spiritual Healing Serviceshttps://anhlife.org/pages/healingservices

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah &amp; Giziribtah DebasahGuests: Dr. Obari CartmanWe continue our series on healing resources with an episode on mental health. We talk to a leading African-centered mental health practitioner, Dr. Obari Adéye Cartman. Dr. Cartman Is the former director of the Chicago chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists. He explains the revolutionary approach of America’s community of African centered psychologists or sakhu sheti on a troubled, unhealthy medical field. 00:00 - 1:15 - Intro1:16 - 4:05 - Today’s Guest: Dr. Obari Adéye Cartman4:06 - 8:50 - Dietary Superstitions &amp; Ideologies8:51 - 12:46 - Proverb of Episode 1112:47 - 14:42 - Welcoming our Guest 14:43 - 21:37 - Modern Psychologists vs Sakhu sheti21:38 - 25:59 - Path to African-centered Mental Health26:00 - 29:27 - Effective mental health practice techniques29:28 - 35:45 - Afrocentric Upbringing &amp; Family Roots35:46 - 51:40 - Mental Health Issues in Black Communities of Chicago51:41 - 55:57 - Power of Words &amp; Emotional Culture55:58 - 59:54 - Dr. Cartman’s projects in Chicago community59:55 - 1:02:59 - Lady’s Man - Conversations for Black Men About Manhood and Relationships - book1:03:00 - 1:05:59 - Infiltrating a colonial system from within? 1:06:00 - 1:13:54 - Curriculum inside Juvenile Detention Centers1:13:55 - 1:18:55 - A New book on Spirituality, Mental Health &amp; Spiritual warfare1:18:56 - 1:20:47 - PSA on African Clothes vs. #GarbMonkeySuit1:20:48 - 1:30:27 - Modern Education vs. Initiative Traditions1:30:28 - 1:37:13 - Spiritual Healing &amp; Ankhkasta Natural HealingDr. Obari Adéye Cartman’s website: https://www.drobaricartman.comPurchase the book: https://www.drobaricartman.com/product-page/book-lady-s-manBlack Class Press Bookshttps://www.blackclassicbooks.com/Association Of Black Psychologists, Inc. https://abpsi.org/Ankhkasta Natural Healing Spiritual Healing Serviceshttps://anhlife.org/pages/healingservices

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh and Giziribtah DebasahField Correspondent: Kasabez MaakmaahGuests: Menkaseb Pernebsati, Z’wadji Merutepiaou, Cashus D, Nubian Malik, Kwabena Rasuli, Joshua Akrun, Nicholas Brooks-Bey &amp; Anthany MichaelKwanzaa Presenters: Osei &amp; Anita Andrews-Hutchinson, Gimbu Kali &amp; Del MarieWe take a break from our series on healing resources in order to join in the Kwanzaa celebrations happening around the city of Chicago. We talk to elders who lead events, presenters, visitors and newcomers to the holiday. We investigate the history, the symbols, as well as the language and meaning of the nguzo saba, the seven principles that make up the Kwanzaa holiday celebration that was started in 1966. We speak with two members of Kebtah from Kenya to give an authentic perspective on the Swahili words used in Kwanzaa, from the name to the seven principles. We also speak about the roots of language and holidays and the current Kemetic fasting period that reaches back before the current era and was practiced in Pharaonic Africa and has been preserved in traditional Africa until today.In this episode, we discuss: The Kwanzaa Holiday Celebrations of Chicago in 2023The Meaning &amp; History of KwanzaaThe Swahili languageThe meaning of the nguzo saba:Umoja - UnityKujichagalia – Self-determination &amp; The importance of choosingUjimaa – Collective work, responsibility &amp; dutyUjamaa – Collective Economics &amp; BrotherhoodNia – PurposeKuumba - CreativityImani - FaithColonization &amp; Neo-ColonizationBlack Panther Party &amp; Us Movement vs COINTELPROCulture &amp; language in KenyaEnergetic Vulnerability of WinterOngoing revolutionary fights in AfricaOne language for AfricaNational languageImportance of knowing your historyLinks:F.A.C.T. Fundamental African Centered Thought – a chapter on the history of Kwanzaa: https://www.offthecorner.net/2020/08/fact-fundamental-african-centered.html?m=1It Takes A Village Family of Schools: https://itavschools.org/Village Leadership Academy: https://www.vlacademy.org/Learn More about the Kem Fasting Period: https://www.risingfirefly.org/sunnyside-blog/origins-of-fasting?rq=Fasting%20PeriodKem Fasting Journal: https://www.risingfirefly.org/shop/p/10-day-fast-journal?rq=Fasting%20PeriodKeywords: Kwanzaa, African holidays, African revolutionaries, African thought, Swahili language, One language for Africa, African Sovereignty, Repatriation, Kenya, Fasting, Origins, Hieroglyphs, Medu, Medu Ntr, Medu Ntchr

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh, Kasabez Maakmaah, and Giziribtah DebasahGuests: Chairman Tanya Lozano and Chairman Allen Washington of Healthy Hood ChicagoInterview starts 30 minutes in.We continue our series on healing resources with Healthy Hood Chicago a non-profit organization founded by Tanya Lozano. Healthy Hood Chicago is a revolutionary organization aimed at erasing the alarming gap of life expectancy between communities of color and white affluent neighborhoods. They offer an array of programming to the community for health, nutrition, mental health, art entrepreneurship, political education and community building and partnership to provide a backdrop conducive to leading a healthy lifestyle. In this episode, we discuss: Legacy of activism in the Lozano Family - Rudy Lozano and Emma LozanoThe origins of Healthy Hood ChicagoKNVS Arts &amp; CultureEvolution of community movementsComing together across cultural boundries for the common goodAES (Alliance of States of the Sahel) new alliance between Mali, Burkina Faso and NigerSeason for spiritual pilgrimages and Ancestral ceremoniesMAAYA SIRA Animist pilgrimage 2023 in MaliDefinition of Voodoo/Voudoun and it's history as a heritage for descendants of the African DiasporaIvory Coast, Gold Coast, Slave CoastConspicuously simultaneous rise in terrorism and mining in Burkina Faso"Hidden countries": traditionalists living outside post-colonial ruleHere are some links to information, people and groups referenced in the episode:Healthy Hood Chicago: https://www.healthyhoodchi.com/https://www.instagram.com/healthyhoodchi/https://www.youtube.com/@healthyhoodp.e.7467KNVS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLrF2zAzqsACentro Sin Fronteras: https://familialatinaunidacom.wordpress.com/https://www.facebook.com/centrosin.fronteras/The Death Gap – David A Ansellhttps://www.amazon.com/Death-Gap-How-Inequality-Kills/dp/022642815XCoffee, Hiphop &amp; Mental Health: https://chhamh.org/our-missionMaShaun Ali – Trap House Chicagohttps://www.traphousechicago.us/events-1/crime-drought-no-crime-no-violencehttps://www.mashaunhendricks.us/Dion Dream Producehttps://dionschicagodream.com/Alternative Schools Networkhttps://www.asnchicago.org/Kôrêdjo-Missa Doumbia, organizer of MAAYA SIRA Animist pilgrimagehttps://www.facebook.com/moussa.doumbia.3760

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!Chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Nehez Meniooh and Giziribtah DebasahGuests: Jahzra Shemzura and Zetanefert ZipewtuWe start our new series on healing resources with Ankhkasta Natural Healing. ANH is a non-profit organization founded by wisdom keepers of indigenous Africa. It is comprised of a network of traditional healers who approach healing from a holistic perspective based on the goal of preserving life. ANH is aimed at reintroducing humanity to traditional forms of holistic healing by providing superior alternatives to the modern world’s approach to health, while strengthening and preserving traditional healing wisdom. In this episode, we discuss: Starting the Elder’s Fast in the templesStarting our series of episodes on HealingCelebrating 25 years of Master Naba’s mission in the West with Kebtah’s sister organization, ANHHolistic Healing from an indigenous perspectiveThe process of indigenous divination Importance of protecting the sacredness of indigenous landsImportance of maintaining or rebuilding a harmonious connection with natureApproaching your health preventativelyThe business of keeping us sick by modern medicineModern medicine’s lack of humility leads to experimenting on our familiesMenstrual cramps are a sicknessMedicine vs DrugsAlternative herbal treatments to COVIDAfrica’s resilience to COVID 19Links:10 day Fasting Journal: https://www.risingfirefly.org/shop/p/10-day-fast-journalAnkhkasta Website: https://anhlife.org/COVID 19 herbal remedy:https://anhlife.org/collections/immunity/products/ankh-revive-ahlome-setMenstrual Cramp remedy: https://anhlife.org/collections/reproductive-organs/products/feminine-cleanse-strongFind out more about Divinations (Energy Readings): https://anhlife.org/pages/healingservicesKeywords: Health and Wellness, Indigenous Medicine, Indigenous Healing, African Healing, Holistic Healing, Fasting, Health is Wealth, Ankhkasta, Kebtah, Master Naba, Menstrual Cramps, COVID alternative treatments

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netVideo version available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_LQbASTx98&amp;list=PLEMAg3o2IWd9RjUwBFwGKKjYndHi0DXUiHosts: Nehez Meniooh and Kasabez MaakmaahGuest: Olévié Kouami, original member of KhepraKhepra is the original Earth Center (Kebtah), originally founded in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Olévié Kouami was one of the original members who saw first hand the vision presented by our founder, Neb Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig and recent visited our temples in Houston and Togo. He shared his perspective on how the mission has evolved since its inception and where he see the direction is needed for the future of Meritah (Africa).This episode is dedicated to tonton Olévié Kouami who made his transition after the filming of this episode.In this episode, we discuss:Master Naba in 2006 predicting the Israel Palestine conflict will continue and whyThe origins of Kebtah, Khepra in Burkina FasoThe vision of a young Prophet come to fruitionThe revolutionary act of honoring our Ancestors

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netWatch in video on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEMAg3o2IWd9RjUwBFwGKKjYndHi0DXUi&amp;si=rIs60aevwTAsRYtaHosts: Kasabez Maakmaah and Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Mutulu Olugbala (M1) of Dead PrezIn this episode, we discuss:The meaning of revolutionLessons from using Hip Hop for revolutionary struggleHistory organizing in Chicago to free Fred Hampton Jr.The inspiration for "Let's Get Free" albumHow "It's Bigger Than Hip Hop" became the anthem and theme song for the Chappelle ShowDave Chappelle on tour with The Roots, Dead Prez and Black StarTransforming anger and frustration productivelyFighting the long fightFootage from our Kemetic New Year celebrations at the Het Aishat temple in Togo

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netVideo versions available at youtube.com/kebtahHosts: Kasabez Maakmaah and Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Dr. Kim Dulaney, Vice President of Education and Programming at DuSable Black History Museum and Education CenterIn this episode, we discuss:Bringing relatable leadership to the Black CommunityRepair of our communities begins our own efforts and intelligenceCancel culture and reactionary rhetoricOur communities at warImmigration conflicts of interest

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netVideo version available on youtube.com/kebtahHosts: Kasabez Maakmaah and Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Dr. Kim Dulaney, Vice President of Education and Programming at DuSable Black History Museum and Education CenterIn this episode, we discuss:DuSable Museum's rebranding to an Education CenterOur guest's professional journey from city employee to author to professor to DuSable VPHoldovers of traditional African Cultures in Black American communities Legacy of Margaret Burroughs

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Kasabez Maakmaah and Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Baba Sundiata, principal of Betty Shabazz International Charter SchoolIn this episode, we discuss:Wildfires in Hawaii and Canada.New word: scoundrelry - behavior of an actual scoundrelMedical malfeasance by drug company GileadChallenges of and benefits of introducing culture in a modern school setting.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netHosts: Kasabez Maakmaah and Giziribtah DebasahGuest: Saingbey (Patrick) Woodtor, founder of the Africa International House and Chicago's African Festival of the Arts.In this episode, we discuss:Revolt and revolution in Niger and West Africa with the recent military coups in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Is democracy the will of the people?The importance of initiation, names, sacred objects, self sufficiency and secret societies in African traditions. Why we need to value and preserve our culture.The impact of the African Festival of the Arts and the 34th annual festival this year.

Get in touch with us. We love to hear from you!chicagosunnyside.netEpisode 1: Welcome to the SunnysideIn this episode, we explain the premise that our podcast is based on. In short, we are focused on building bridges in the Chicago area. Our goal is to connect chicagoans with grassroots leaders and connect the efforts of grassroots movements to inspire a more potent and informed element to the revolutionary spirit that is growing by the day.Watch in video at youtube.com/kebtah