Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Thunder Soul Movie

It's was Afros and pleated shirts, James Brown and Bootsy Collins. It was the '70s, and at an inner-city Houston high school history would be made. Charismatic band leader, Conrad "Prof" Johnson, would turn the school's mediocre jazz band into a legendary funk powerhouse. Now, 35 years later, his students prepare to pay tribute to the man who changed their lives--the 92-year old Prof. Some haven't played their horns in decades, still they dust off their instruments, determined to retake the stage to show Prof and the world that they've still got it. Written by Anonymous

Told with style and pizzazz, the rousing documentary Thunder Soul celebrates the Kashmere Stage Band, a worldwide sensation in the 1970s that will forever change the way you think about high school bands. When Conrad O. Johnson, a music teacher at a predominantly black high school in Houston, replaced the staid stage band standards with contemporary funk, jazz, and original compositions, he changed the lives of his students forever. Not only did they become one of the best bands, professional or amateur, around, but they learned lessons that stayed with them long after graduation, as evidenced thirty-five years later, when the band reunited to pay tribute to the man who made it all possible.


It's was Afros and pleated shirts, James Brown and Bootsy Collins. It was the '70s, and at an inner-city Houston high school history would be made. Charismatic band leader, Conrad "Prof" Johnson, would turn the school's mediocre jazz band into a legendary funk powerhouse. Now, 35 years later, his students prepare to pay tribute to the man who changed their lives--the 92-year old Prof. Some haven't played their horns in decades, still they dust off their instruments, determined to retake the stage to show Prof and the world that they've still got it.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

OMEGA PSI PHI CENTENNIAL PROJECT ASPIRATION MENTORING PROGRAM


When: Friday, July 29th, 2011 Time: 9am-2pm Where: Howard University

Overview:
On July 29, 2011 there will be a mentor program entitled Project ASPIRATION that will be held at the historical Howard University in conjunction with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Centennial Celebration. The centennial will attract more than 50,000 participants from all over the world. Our program will expose 250 black males ages 13 to 18 from all over the country to a variety of careers and life skills rooted in the cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. The program will focus on careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and ways to prepare for success in those fields.

This one-day event will feature four interactive sessions lead by Brothers in the fields of STEM. The Brothers will engage the student participants (referred to as “Scholars”) about ways science, technology, engineering and math impact their everyday life and their duty to self, family and community. Our aim is to have each Scholar leave with a greater interest in and appreciation of these important fields and their ability to make positive contributions.

Share ideas and/or resources that help black males achieve higher education attainment and high aspirations on the volunteer registration form.
Agenda:
9:00 am – 9:45 am Registration and Continental breakfast (Cramton Auditorium)
9:45 am – 10:00 am PROGRAM STARTS: Introduction, Program Goals and Overview
10:20 am – 11:00 am Session 1 - Science (Douglas Hall - 2nd Floor)
11:00 am – 11:40 am Session 2 - Technology (Douglas Hall - 2nd Floor)
11:45 am – 12:30 pm LUNCH PROVIDED FOR THE ATTENDEES
12:30 pm – 1:10 pm Session 3 - Engineering & Math (Douglas Hall - 2nd Floor)
1:10 pm – 2:00 pm Session 4 - Manhood, Closing remarks and charge to Scholars (Douglas Hall - 2nd Floor)

Select link to view map of Howard University - Events held in Building's 20 (Cramton Auditorium) and 23 (Douglas Hall - 2nd Floor).

For more information or to register for this exciting event, please contact:
Bro. JaSun Frone 5-94-A
Project ASPIRATION, Program coordinator
202-222-8766
aspirationmp@gmail.com

Project Advisers:
Brother Robert Fairchild &
Brother Ricky Lewis

Wednesday, June 15, 2011