Black Mens Xchange National

06/18/2025

Durand Bernarr - Hung out with some exceptionally talented Black folks featuring Durand Bernarr, Jennifer Holliday and Kelly Price.

The young man pictured here with me is singer-songwriter and undeniable creative force Durand Bernarr. I wasn’t very familiar with him before tonight, and hadn’t seen him perform—until he took the stage as a special guest at a Pride Month cultural festival I produced with my team..

Let me tell you—this young man can sing. He’s no joke. His voice is beautiful, soulful, and deeply musical. We had a lot to talk about, though unfortunately not much time. But even in that brief exchange, it was clear: Durand is something special.

Before he arrived, a gentleman came over to introduce himself—he turned out to be Durand’s father. He told me how much he was enjoying the event and said proudly, “I’m Durand Bernarr’s father.” That moment really struck me. On Father’s Day, no less, it was moving to witness such a loving and affirming father standing beside his same gender loving (SGL) son. That kind of presence matters deeply.

I also had the pleasure of spending some quality time with the amazing Jennifer Holliday—an often underrated vocal genius who, at 65, still can take the roof off. And Kelly Price performed as well, bringing a powerful voice and presence of her own.

It’s been an incredible past three days for many reasons—and getting to experience these great musicians was certainly one of them.

02/15/2025

Sly Lives—The Burden of Black Genius

Last night, searching for something Black to watch, I waded through a wasteland of whiteness—until I found a rare gem. A documentary on Sly Stone, one of the greatest musical forces of the last century, whose sound reshaped music but whose name has nearly vanished. When white hands control memory, they decide who is remembered.

Hearing Sly’s unmistakable, low vocals in 2025 jolted me upright. The last time I saw him in real life was 20 years ago—sitting on the back of a rundown motorhome on Crenshaw. I pointed him out to my young nieces and nephews, telling them he was once as famous as Prince, maybe even more talented. They laughed. “That’s a bum,” one said.

They didn’t understand. But I did.

A ’70s kid and a musical prodigy myself, I recognized genius. Sly’s groove, composition, and singular voice were undeniable. His spirit lived on in Prince, Chaka, Stevie, and P-Funk, yet the industry rarely honored its source.

Now, Questlove—master of excavation—has brushed off the racist dust, restoring Sly to sight. His new documentary unpacks the toll of white supremacy and Black power dreams on an ambitious, creative soul. Who knows what was left on Hulu’s cutting room floor? Maybe deeper truths about the collision of white Christianity and Black loyalty—the very forces that crushed him.

Still, what matters is this: a missing link in our cultural lineage has been rediscovered.

For that, I’m grateful.

10/21/2024

My Baby? At J Carl DeVine’s birthday party, something quietly remarkable happened that defied typical social dynamics. The celebration was in full swing—soulful music echoed, laughter filled the air, and the aroma of delicious food lingered. It was a warm, festive gathering, full of love, community, and joy. I was sitting at my table, soaking it all in, when something soft tapped my lap, interrupting my thoughts.

I looked down to find a baby—no more than two years old—staring up at me with a wide-eyed, confident smile. They were not tentative, as babies often are. Instead, they acted as if I was a familiar presence in their world. Without a word, they confidently climbed onto my lap, completely relaxed, showing no fear or uncertainty.

I was caught off guard by the trust this child displayed. I didn’t know them; I had never seen them before. Yet here they were, acting as though we shared some unspoken bond, with no hesitation or concern for their mother.

The mother soon found them, visibly relieved but confused—understandably so, seeing her child so at ease with a stranger. I smiled and explained, “They just climbed up here on their own. I didn’t know what to do.”

Though polite, the mother seemed a bit skeptical—who could blame her? But as we chatted and I showed her a photo of her child on my lap, her expression softened. What began as confusion shifted into a shared sense of awe at the moment.

This brief connection wasn’t just about a baby sitting with a stranger. It revealed something deeper—how human interactions, even at a young age, are shaped by subtle, unspoken instincts. We often think we understand behavior, but sometimes our connections defy logic, as social rules fall away and an inexplicable bond takes their place.

This fleeting encounter left me reflecting on how we perceive and trust one another, even without words. It reminded me that human behavior is full of surprises, shaped by forces we don’t always understand, making our social lives beautifully unpredictable.

10/21/2024

10/13/2024

Apparently, Obama’s scolding of Black men and his attempt to corral them into following his lead without critical thought didn’t go unnoticed. While I didn’t see it myself, I tend to initiate or be drawn into conversations during Uber rides. In each case, without any prompting from me, the topic came up—mostly from male drivers of various backgrounds and races—and they all saw his approach as pushy and disrespectful.

As usual, Black men are forced into a corner without consent: either fall in line or be labeled sexist, rather than having their thoughts truly engaged.

09/22/2024

Somehow, my amazing team managed to pull off a perfect surprise party for me. Thank you all!

Cut and paste link below to see what happened.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DWMoXuACe/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Happy Day of My Delivery To The Earth!

The music copyright belongs to Stevie Wonder
The opening voice is Chaka Khan

04/28/2024

Trump Being On Trial May Make Him More Relatable

Being a criminal (or a racist) can become irrelevant among Whites desperate to retain privilege and the myth of their superiority - through Donald Trump. Simultaneously, a growing number of Black people, especially today’s youth, are desperate to surpass the burden of Blackness, aiming instead to “live their best life” with a goal of attaining or aesthetically replicating the trappings of wealth.

A popular song once said, “I ain’t going back and forth with you Nigg@s. I’m living my best life.” Trump is the “Best Life, Get Paid” Presidential candidate. Also, being on trial may make him appear more relatable, especially among Black males, as Black people have been on trial since 1619.

While Black folks can’t be White, though some are still trying, there are now many high profile examples of Black people who have attained wealth and/or a closer association with what used to be a bastion with just a speckle of Black people - the rich and famous.

Yes, this is madness, but so is much of what occurs in the US.

Regardless, Trump is reportedly winning in the polls, and that’s not just because of White people.

02/12/2024

Adorability!

01/26/2024

Genocide is an evil, inhumane phenomenon whenever it occurs. Palestine makes the news every now and then. However, genocide occurs in Sudan and the Congo, representing the cold-blooded murder of millions of "Black" people, never making US news.

BTW, the US was founded on and is sustained by genocide.
https://fb.watch/pPIlCudi6w/

01/21/2024

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of the NFL

Stunningly Beautiful. Must be nice knowing exactly where you came from and to show up sporting the original wear of your people, like an Ashanti Kung.

01/21/2024

Dave Chappelle says Katt Williams was wrong

The day the white racism composed insult nigg@ is erased from our vocabulary and psyche will be one as significant as January 31, 1865. That day will also produce new clarity and common sense for "Blacks." David Chappelle's truth about Katt Williams is marred by using that God-forsaken word.

01/20/2024

Two amazing, history-making, [almost] game-changing women most of our young people don't know exist.