MPsays, Things We Lose to the New Year.

Written by Mister Promo | January 10, 2016

Last year, someone lit a fire over my world and burned away all matter that served absolutely no purpose. A great deal of matter was destroyed. Let's just say, the only thing left can fit in a one room apartment. Memories have been erased, pictures deleted, jobs replaced. All to make way for what is to come.

I remember 2012. I was excited to graduate from a dead end job, to prosper in a company with professional growth. I remember moving up quite rapidly. From dietary aide, to short order cook, to cook. All promotions I never asked for. Yet upon receiving them, the pay rate would increase. That was a plus.

~ MP ~

Written by Allen Mark | May 20, 2017

All the while I was never happy.  Why was I never happy? Simply put, it was entirely because I was not in control of my own decisions. In fact, I have never been in charge of my own groundbreaking decisions. I have always been forced to do things that have made me feel uncomfortable. All because I lack a man-like backbone.

I am here to confess that this will no longer be an issue for me. Mark my words in this blog post.

"I Am The Ruler Of My Decision Making."

The only reason you find it easy to treat me like a child is because I act as such. I can only pray that you weren't actually fond of that boyish way because that boy died yesterday.

Are you prepared for what is to come?

I guess I don't really care if you are or not.

This is my life and I plan to live it how I see fit.

~ AM ~

February Is Here. Let Us Make It A Good One.

Written by Allen Mark | February 1, 2017

Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Carter Godwin Woodson, CGW, was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

 

Dr. CGW was a huge advocate for organizing the first recognition for Afro-Americans to Americans in America. This recognition became known as Black History Month. However, when presented the years prior to 1926, it was designed to be observed during the second week of February. It was to be known as Negro History Week.

The Springfield Sunday Union and Republican

February 10 1946

 

Who is Carter G. Woodson?

Like many African Americans living during his time, he was born of two parents who were once slaves. The year was 1875, December 19. As a young man he grew up in Kentucky while working as a coal miner. In 1896, CGW would enroll into high school at age 20. In just two years he would graduate and receive acceptance to attend Harvard University. While attending classes he would realize that there were absolutely no courses and zero mention of Afro-Americans in any of the school's history books. This struck him as unusual and unsettling. Post gradating with his PhD he would decide to become a historian and make his life's purpose to complete the goal in exposing and presenting Afro-Americans as a people with purpose and definition.

Approved

 

The year is now 1926 and the Negro History Week Program has been approved. Yes, this was ninety-one years ago. Initially CGW chose Negro History Week to be observed throughout the second week of February because during that week it features two great people in Black History. Greats such as Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Fifty years later, beginning the 1st of February 1976, the second week for  recognizing Negro History Week expanded  to become observed throughout the full complete month of February. It would be renamed Black History Month.

 

Negro History Facts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

For more facts on Dr. Carter G. Woodson

and the History of Black History Month,

click the links in Italic above and below.

 

Father of Black History

 

Remembering the Publisher of JET and Ebony

Written by Allen Mark | January 19, 2017

Remembering the Founder of Johnson Publishing Co. Inc., the man responsible for publishing powerful and empowering articles for Black readers of Jet and Ebony magazines.

Today, 99 years ago, was the birth of John H. Johnson in Arkansas City, AK. January 19, 1918. He was the son of Leroy, a sawmill worker and Gertrude, a stay at home mom. Also the grandson of former slaves. At 6, John would lose his father to a sawmill accident. Post his mother's grieving stage she would remarry.

Life grew difficult for the three of them living in AK. Between the stock market crash in '29 and there being no black high schools for John to transition into post middle school. There were little to no options. As oppose to becoming a dropout, John chose to repeat the 8th grade. This goes to show just how into education he was.

In the summer of 1933 Gertrude would travel to Chicago with her son to enjoy the World's Fair. She became so fond of the city and all of its culture, she decided to relocate. Later, her husband, John's stepfather, would follow his family and as "they" say, the rest is history.

Don't worry, I won't stop there.

Soon he would enroll into DuSable High School (an all-black school). Meanwhile his parents struggled to find work. In the meantime they were to apply for welfare. This worked out for 2 years. Until the stepfather would find work in WPA and John too would find part time work. In between his studies he worked for the National Youth Administration (NYA).

It was in high school where John would demonstrate leadership skills. He became student council president, editor of the school newspaper and class yearbook. Following his graduation in 1936 he would be offered a scholarship to U of Chicago. He didn't stay at university for long. His goal of completing became unreachable.

Skipping ahead to 1941 he would marry Eunice Walker. They had a child, Linda Johnson. Now, Linda Johnson Rice. In 1942 he would borrow $500 which he achieved by placing his mother's furniture up for collateral. Come June of the same year he would publish his first magazine. The black version of Reader's Digest, titled "Negro Digest" (ND). Inside ND there were articles and pictures featuring Black America in a much positive light.

courtesy of Culture Type

In 1945 John found interest in creating a magazine similar to that of Life. With its flashy printed covers. His wife would create the name Ebony. Its first issue would release in November of the same year.

courtesy of Re: Obama

In 1951, John would create Jet and 25 years later in 1976 the Negro Digest would print its final issue.

courtesy of Chicago Now

In 1982 he was featured in Forbes 400. This made him the African American to do so.

On August 8, 2005 John Harold Johnson would issue his final breath at age 87. Cause, heart failure. His legacy is survived by daughter Linda Johnson Rice as publisher of Johnson Publishing Co. Inc.

Jet magazine discontinued print in June 2014 and now can be found in digital. Ebony magazine is still in rotation and printing issues monthly.

MPsays, I've Made Mistakes I'm Not Proud Of.

Written by Allen Mark | February 19, 2016


Born into this world full of sin just like the last person. And just like the last person the first thing I did was cry instead of give thanks for my existence. Well look at me, already off to a bad start.

As a child, I was the last conceived of four. A lot of people believe that I was spoiled. When in actuality, my parents spent so much money on my older siblings that by the time I joined the family, we were one paycheck short of being broke, but not poor. All the while it has never once broken me. I remained strong and steadfast. That is, until I met you.

My perspective was once untarnished and polished. Now it is ruined by despondency and grief. Some people refer to it as a negative feeling. I live life with worry and I second guess myself all the time. Sometimes I wish these feelings would leave while other times I'm glad they are here. Somehow they make me who I am. It's disgusting, I know?

I'm always wondering how I got this way. How did I become this person who prey on the frail and play with the muddled? This person who feels the right and mourns the wrong? More importantly, how do I return to the place where I use to reside? Wait, do I really want to return there?

No. Not a chance.

It seems I am confused.
No, I'm not.
Yes I am.
Lately I'm not so sure about a lot of things.
Like my thoughts always reverting back to you.
Whatever. I'm not worried about it. Sometimes I am and sometimes I'm wrong and sometimes I'm right.

I need not to be like this. To feel like. 
It is definitely time for a change. 

Starting now. 

MPsays, Life Is Passing By.

Written by Allen Mark | November 11, 2015

When you place all of your focus solely on the wrong things, that when the right thing approaches you, they will not stop and wait for you to notice them but simply pass you by.

This happens to me quite often. Whether it be on a job offer, an opportunity to travel, connecting with others on a professional level, or even making the right choice on who to fall in love with. I have hit the snooze button on many occasions that could have changed my life for the better. Which is why I am here stuck in this rut. Mentally believing that, "it is what it is", simply because "it is what it isn't." Or is it?

I know (at times) I can speak in circles and mostly not make any sense. However, bare with me because I promise you that my mind is much more intelligent than the words I may present to you.

What happens when you are fed up with the life you are leading and you do not care to indulge yourself in the same silly antics that you typically perform? 
Stop and evaluate your situation, subtract yourself from the equation and view the situation closer. Place yourself back in and determine what does not work. Then finally consider options of change. What did you get?

I, personally, do not care to sit in solace or drown in the depths of emptiness that is created from within my own problematic mind. I, much rather, would prefer to come up with the best positive sollution and begin releasing its power into my life on a daily basis. 

Sometimes, it's not what you do, but it is how you do it that seems to be most effective. Make sense? I hope so. 

MPsays, You Don't Know Until You Know. (Segment Six)

Written by Allen Mark | November 9, 2015

Review Segment 5

The school day was short. This time, when the day concluded it didn't end with a "bye". Instead, it ended with "see you".

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

July 5th. It was a Wednesday. I remember it well. I brought my bike up from the basement, dusted it off, reconnected the chain, pumped the tires, tightened the brakes and took it for a test run. All was well. It began time I set out to locate the residence of where my "girlfriend" lived.

I called a friend to join me on this ride. I stepped into my summer kicks and headed out! I believe we began our journey at around 3 pm. It took us around two hours to locate her home. Once we reached the house, we parked our bikes against the fence near the side door and proceeded to walk up the steps to knock on the door. I remember feeling anxious to see her face. I was distracted by the calming words expressed from my friend that I didn't notice the door grew ajar and peering through the frame of the door was a woman, her mother. I quickly regained focus to then ask if Bertina was home. She explained to me that she was not home, that she was out shopping with family. She then explained that she wouldn't return home until later that evening. To my assumption, I took it as she was telling me to come back later.

This would mean that my friend and I would get lost in the neighborhood until later had come. We probably waited like 3hrs. Man, now that I think about it, he was a good friend.

The time now was 8:15 pm and later had come. We returned to the side door to knock hoping for a different outcome. Here I was anxious again. I knocked softly but loud enough to be heard. This time, I paid close attention to the response. The nob on the door began to jiggle as locks were being undone. The door began to recede from its frame. My eyes, glued to the bronze doorknob as it drew further from me. My eyes traced the edge of the brown wooden door panel, up the side, until it met the pupils of the being behind it. It was her, Bertina. I felt relieved. "Hi", I spoke first to break the tension. Shyly she replied with, "hi", as she looked down to the floor and then back up to my eyes.

The way this was going you would think we were meeting for the first time. I asked, "could we come in?" She smiled and looked back into the room she was standing in. Her mother was present. She was seeking approval, which was granted. She peered back at me through the space in the door and said, "yes, of course." She opened the door wider to allow us in. We entered.

What comes next? You don't know until you know.

Continue to Segment 7

MPsays, You Don't Know Until You Know. (Segment Five)

Written by Allen Mark | October 29, 2015

Review Segment 4

As Bertina was walking over to her family, her father says loud enough for me to hear, "hey, isn't that your friend? Call him over for a photo." Yeah, that wasn't awkward at all. I walk over, we pose for the photo and all I'm thinking is, she never corrected him.

I never said anything on the subject. Instead, I kept it to myself. As if, it didn't bother me.

We saw one another once more before the break, the next school day. You see, the evening of the graduation was our last day as 8th graders, however, the rest of the grades had one more day. A few of us graduates attended that last day. Bertina and I spent that time connecting and speaking of what life would be like away from one another. Until I had come up with an idea that would result in us not being away but instead together. I asked for her address. She gave it to me. I knew she didn't live close because she took the bus. But I knew if I did not really want to wait out the summer 'til seeing her again, I better pump the tires on my bike and ride through the city looking for her residence.

The school day was short. This time when the day concluded it didn't end with a "bye". Instead it ended with "see you".

It seems real but, you don't know until you know.

Continue to Segment 6

MPsays, You Don't Know Until You Know. (Segment Four)

Written by Allen Mark | October 19, 2015

Review Segment 3

We were known as a cute couple. We were the typical middle school couple. Playing chase, walking around holding hands, sneaking off to hide for quick kisses. That moment in time could've lasted for years if we had the choice.

Only if I knew it then. In fact, the choice was entirely mine. The weeks following would definitely depict what my life with Bertina would consist of.

Rushing ahead a little. It is now the night of our 8th grade dance. In two days we will graduate and move onto become high school students. Okay, hold on, I'm getting too far ahead of myself. It's the night of the dance. I stroll in reasonably late just to make an entrance. There she is, beautiful and not because she is wearing a floor-length burgandy gown. She definitely stood out! It didn't matter to me. That is what I liked about her. The evening was perfect. The music, the setting (school gym), me, her, good times. 

After the dance, I would meet her parents. They were present because they picked her up. It apparently became time for the introduction.

"Hi mom. Hi dad," she says. She then introduces me as Allen. Their assumption, I was a friend. For some reason I understood. Now as I think back, I'm not so sure as to why I did.

Two days later was our graduation. Concluding the ceremony friends and family would meet the graduates in the back parking lot of the school. I met with Bertina and introduced her to my parents as my girlfriend. My dad then breaks out the video camera and begins recording us reciting messages of what we will miss most of middle school. I kissed Bertina on her cheek, wished her a happy summer and watched as she walked over to the direction of her parents. In my mind, I was prepared to wait out the summer once again. In the fall we were going to attend the same school, Central Falls High. So, I wasn't worried about not seeing her again.

Didn't really happen this way though. As Bertina was walking over to her family, her father says loud enough for me to hear, "hey, isn't that your friend? Call him over for a photo." Yeah, that wasn't awkward at all. I walk over, we pose for the photo and all I'm thinking is, she never corrected him.

It's really true, you don't know until you know.

Continue to Segment 5 

MPsays, It's Over But You're Still Concerned.

Written by Mister Promo | October 13, 2015


We began innocent, with knowledge of first names and no background check. The first couple of months were exciting. Nothing was predictable. It was as if we were actors in a stageplay. Each meeting was eventful. A party as you would call it. It was a smooth and yet delightful engagement. This being, whenever we were together, working together. Before long, that would all change. Beginning with attitudes. Happiness became frustration as smiles turned to frowns. Daily communication grew to non-existent.

Yet, here it is, so much time has passed and I am still concerned. Thinking, wondering. How can I help, assist? Am I wasting my time? I'm sure that I am the only one holding on to a rope that is limp on the other end. My hand is already sore from these restraints. I believe it's time I loosen the grip and consider the option of letting go.

Wow! That wasn't hard. Next, my mission is moving on. This should be much easier. There are many other prospects much worthier of my attention and time. I must breathe life into my future and discontinue supplying air to my past. I cannot do it if I have any inkling of an idea that there could be something when there is nothing. So, from now on, I must believe wholeheartedly that there is absolutely no chance for us. Ever.  


Goodbye.

MPsays, You Don't Know Until You Know. (Segment Three)

Written by Allen Mark | October 9, 2015

Review Segment 2

Ironically though, when my relationship would end with Angela, so would the relationshp between my childhood friend (Ronny) and cafeteria girl (Bertina). Which only meant one thing, there was nothing hindering us from the inevitable.

It was clear as to what my next move would entail. I needed to ask her out. I will never forget how this took place. I approached her durng lunch recess. She was wearing fitted blue jeans and a white top. Her hair, curly and wrapped in a ponytail. I remember being bold and cutting straight to the point. "Bertina?" I questioned. "Yes", she replied. I took a deep breath and began to collect my words. I remember looking her in her eyes as she looked me in mine. "Do you want to go out?" I finally got the words out. Then I waited for her response. That was the longest 5 seocnds of my life. She licked her lips and proceeded to say, yes.

I felt souped. I felt as though I hit the lotto. Well, I was in the 8th grade and I thought she was gorgeous. What do you expect? There a was a lot of conversing and getting to know one another. We were known as a cute couple. We were the typical middle school couple. Playing chase, walking around holding hands, sneaking off to hide for quick kisses. That moment in time could've lasted for years if we had the choice.

Of course, until reality would set in. Even then, you don't know until you know.

Continue to Segment 4

MPsays, God's Greatest Gift to Man.

by Allen Mark | October 5, 2015

Breath

MPsays, You Don't Know Until You Know. (Segment Two)

Written by Allen Mark | September 29, 2015

Review Segment 1

The time had now come. I had to talk to her. Otherwise I would have lied to myself and who wants to do that? I took another deep breath, exited my homeroom, walked gracefully through the double doors and up to the group of girls. I smiled at the girls of the group and then turned to her. I looked her right in the eyes, smiled again and said, "hello." She, then, looked at me and said, "hi."

"My name is Mark. What's yours?", I said. She recited a name that believe it or not, before that day, I had never heard before. So, I proceeded to the next question. Which was, "how did your summer go?" But just after my question was complete, she quickly placed four fingers on the left side and one thumb on the right side of my neck and began squeezing my throat.

Let's skip ahead to the present real quick. As I type this, I'm thinking, "what the hell was that?" That should have been a red flag to run for the city. I would say "run for the hills" but people die there and are sometimes not found for weeks, months even. Okay back to my story.

I stood firm without flinching. I remained focused on her eyes. I slowly raised my right hand and wrapped my fingers around her wrist while asking politely, "are you through?" She released the grip from my throat, brought her two hands together, and began ridding her fingernails from any dead skin she had collected from my neck. Right then, I should have known that this girl was a psycho. Instead, as I caressed the minor pains on my neck, my inner reaction was feeling the entire action of play as HOT!

The next couple of weeks would set the tone of what we meant to one another. We became classmates associates. Nothing more. Turns out she was in a relationship with one of my childhood friends. It would be extremely rude of me to step in and interrupt what they may or not have. So, I did the only thing I knew how to do. I waited.

In the meantime, I would be meet Angela. We became close in an odd sort of distant type of way. One thing I will never forgot about Angela is our first kiss. It was rushed but passionate. The anticipation of it is what made it significant. We could have had something great. Only, my heart was with cafeteria girl. While Angela was actually interested in my childhood friend, only she was not aware of it yet. Yes, the same friend dating cafeteria girl. Angela and I would remain a couple for four months, from December to March. Exactly one month passed the time of a typical middle school relationship. 

Ironically though, when my relationship would end with Angela, so would the relationshp between my childhood friend and cafeteria girl. Which only meant one thing. There's nothing hindering us from the inevitable. 

Apparently, you don't know until you know.

Continue to Segment 3

MPsays, Walk Out of the Darkness. (2015)

Presented by Allen Mark | September 27, 2015

The American Foundation for 

Suicide Prevention

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.

 AFSP is also the leader in the fight against suicide. They fund research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has 75 local chapters and events nationwide.

Thanks to Walkers and Donors like you, AFSP has been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.

This year's goal for Springfield, MA was $95,000. What amount raised was $42,163. Great job, Springfield!! 

Here are a few walkers from the Springfield, MA community walk that took place earlier today.

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If you see yourself and you

would like a copy, email:

mrpromoblog@gmail.com

Don't forget to include

the number of the image.

Peace.