alice coltrane, john coltrane, eric roberson, charles mingus, omar in the uk, julie dexter, fertile ground, w.ellington felton, k'alyn, deva premal, miles davis, nina simone, duke ellington, joshua redman, roy hargrove, willie bobo, celia cruz, lea, doria roberts, tim'm west, mr. kuku, j.scales, anthony david, les nubians, india.arie, sol edler, raheem devaugn, wayna, roberta flack, donny hathaway, black notes, aya, amel larrieux,wynton marsalis, eric lewis, common, stevie wonder, mozart, beethoven, vanessa williams, jill scott, queen latifah, janet jackson, keiki matsui, nat king cole, ella fitzgerald, shirley horne, diane krall, neela freelon, sunny sumpter, maritri, vinx, marvin gaye, the temptations, beatles, beach boys, luther vandross, beyonce, tupac, whodini, cannoball adderly, sarah vaughn, dinah washington, al green, minnie ripperton, abdullah ibrahim, jonathan butler, sergio mendes, santana, and so many more
Movies
love jones, why did i get married?, matrix, crouching tiger - hidden dragon, house of daggers, 300, and so many more
Television
girlfriends, cane, the practice, cashmere mafia, big shots, brothers and sisters, sex and the city, british tv, cosby show, a different world, living single, alias, carol burnett show ... hey i got rid of my tv in 2004 and watch dvds and internet tv now on my lap top ... i have fallen in love with ugly betty, men in trees, october road, and the game. so i am a bit of a targeted tv junkie....
Books
rumi's poetry, elegant choices/healing choices by marsha sinetar, anger and true love by thich nhat hahn, all about love by bell hooks, shucks ... all of bell hooks' books, in search of our mother's gardens by alice walker, things fall apart by pema chodron, being black by angel kyodo williams, dreaming me by jan willis, opening to spirit by caroline shola arewa, a woman's worth by marianne williamson, yoga sutra by patanjali (version by swami satchidananda), all types of yoga books, and so many more
Heroes
God, all the sages ... my angels, ancestors and healing guides ... myself for getting up every day and moving with and beyond my fears, my parents and brothers, my yoga teachers faith and debra, my great grandmother eunice ann thomas roberts, gandhi, oprah, swami satchidananda, parmahansa yogananda, buddha, kuan yin, oshun, erzulie, oya, yemanja, shango, lakshimi, sarsvati, kali, and so many more
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Graduated: 1991
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Professional
Major: Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulation
1990 to 1991
Howard University
Washington, DC
Graduated: 1989
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Professional
Major: JD - Law
1986 to 1989
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD
Graduated: 1986
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: French
Clubs: Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
My intention is to share my healing fiction with the musical artists who inspired my creativity , individuals who love their music, and folks who may not be aware of the talent of so many independent artists.
My intention is to share my healing fiction with any agent, film company, network or production company that would like to turn my healing fiction into healing programs.
View my page on BAP Living
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Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One is Lorraine Hansberry-inspired fiction that tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething Oakland-born BoHo B.A.P. (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. Karma represents a new type of Black woman who is a Love Jones cohort, a member of a vibrant population of Black middle class women who are young, remain single, live alone, and continue to accumulate personal, spiritual, and sensual wealth. She is a departure from the video vixens and stoic matriarchs. The way she wears her womanhood as she confronts the effects of her poor life choices and embraces a spiritual journey of healing and love, makes her a 21st century archetype that everyone can relate to.
Art plays a major role in Karma's life. It inspires, consoles, and teaches her. My novel offers you a wonderful opportunity to look at life through Karmas eyes as an art enthusiast and museum curator. Through Karma's eyes, you will learn about exciting artists and photographers from the African Diaspora, Americas (USA and Mexico), Europe, and Japan such as Lois Mailou Jones, Kara Walker, Renee Stout, Yayoi Kusama, Faith Ringgold, Chris Ofili, Ansel Adams, Marion Perkins, Elizabeth Catlett, Francisco Mora, Alexander Calder, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Maria Izquierdo, Jean Michel Basquiat, Andre Derain, Annie Lee, Betye Saar, Alison Saar, Amalia Amaki, Joyce Scott, Lorna Simpson, Constantin Brancusi. Eldzier Cortor, Amedeo Modigliani, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Archibald Motley, Adrian Piper, Hughie Lee Smith, and Charles W. White.
My novel's characters will definitely shake things up in your life! They represent a wide spectrum of beautiful brilliant brown people. Some wear locs, naturals, and processed hairstyles. Whatever way they choose to express their outer selves, I think you will find them incredibly fascinating. Their heritage is rich. You will get to know African American, Afro-Latina, Afro-Thai, Afro-Hindu, Black British, and Afro-Russian folks. Some folks practice yoga, meditation, mantra chanting, Christianity, and Buddhism. Others participate in spoken word events, HIV/AIDS awareness activities, and grassroots healing work to help the African American community overcome homophobia. You will also witness the diversity of loving relationships in the Black community - straight, lesbian, and gay.
Music plays a major role in the novel. You will have a chance to see how the music of Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Sting, Deva Premal, India.Arie, Amel Larrieux, Omar, Eric Roberson, Fertile Ground, Julie Dexter, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Les Nubians, Stevie Wonder, Omar Sosa, Susana Baca, and others impact the characters.
The novel takes place primarily in Washington, DC. It features many businesses, organizations, and landmarks in the U Street, Shaw, Adams Morgan, and Dupont Circle neighborhoods such as Mocha Hut, Cake Love, The Islander, St. Augustine Catholic Church, The Women's Collective, 18th and U Street Diner, All Souls Unitarian Church, Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park, 9:30 Club, Metropolitan Baptist Church, and Teaism.
My characters also travel to Chicago, Oakland, San Francisco, New York City, and Wilmington, DE. Several are members of Black greek letter organizations such as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Other characters are graduates of Morgan State University, Howard University, Bennett College, Xavier University (New Orleans), Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Savannah State University.
Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One was published by iUniverse on August 1, 2007. It is now available ONLINE (only) for $20.95 on Amazon.com, Borders.com, iUniverse.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Target.com, and Booksamillion.com. Barnesandnoble.com is offering a member discount of $18.95.
In response to positive feedback from Love's Troubadours' readers and to honor women who share the life experiences of my main character Karma Francois, I created BAP Living, a social networking site (http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com/) and BAP Living Radio (www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598), a monthly Internet radio show. These Internet media projects celebrate and connect women of African descent who self-identify as Black American Princesses (BAPs) and Educated Black Women (EBW). They also offer BAPs and EBW an opportunity to build an online community that functions as sacred space where they can tell their stories, affirm each other, dream out loud, laugh, learn, and discuss issues of concern.
If you would like to invite me to give an author interview, do a book reading/signing, facilitate a workshop, serve as a creativity coach, participate in a panel discussion, and/or speak at a meeting or conference, please send an email to info@lovestroubadours.com.
Check out the very first Love's Troubadours YouTube video entitled "A Walking Tour of Love's Troubadours" below. Click on the screen. My brother and fellow Howardite, Matthew J. Leeke, President and CEO of MAJIK Productions, Inc., directed, produced, and edited the video. It features me giving viewers a walking tour of places featured in my novel. Washington, DC's historic U Street neighborhood is featured. Viewers will also have a chance to see the actual artwork that I created for the book cover. I end the video with a book reading from one of the novel's final chapters.
Be love, love light,and live as the spirit of life.
Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke
NOTE: The slogans "Love's Troubadours"; "Be love, love light, and live as the spirit of life"; "YOGA is Your Opportunity to Graciously Accept yourself";
"Honey I'm OM"; "OM on My Mind"; "that which awakens me"; "go Green Sangha"; "BAP Living"; and "Black American Princess...BAP Being At Peace" are trademarks of Kiamsha.com, LLC.
PS: If you dig yoga, the main character is also a registered yoga teacher. So am I in real life. kg yoga life practice is my yoga and reiki healing touch business. To learn more about my services and free yoga events in DC, visit
http://kgyoga.blogspot.com/.
Who I'd like to meet: all groovy people who intend to spread love mentalism (love+love-hate=love - from the liner notes of stevie wonder's 1976 classic songs in the key of life) by being love, loving light, and living as the spirit of life ....
Ananda Leeke, Go Green BAP Author 's Friend Space (Top 39)
Ananda Leeke, Go Green BAP Author has 2965 friends.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
FOLLOW ME AND I WILL FOLLOW YOU WWW.TWITTER.COM/0NLY1WIZER GO HEAD AND LEND YOUR OPTICAL VISION IN ON SOME ENTERTAINMENT. IF YOU’VE ALREADY SENT IT…THANK YOU, IF YOU HAVENT SEEN IT; THANK YOU FOR SEEING IT NOW. MUCH LUVE ON THE LUVE SHOWN.
ONLY1WIZER AMEN THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR "SEATTLE WATCH ME" ONLY1WIZER FEAT. JAVIERRE.
ONLY1WIZER’S “HOW I GO/ EL AMOR DE JESUS”
IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE; GO HEAD AND DROP A VIDEO COMMENT ON YOUTUBE BABY!! MUCH LOVE ALWAYS.
<a href="http://www.myhotcomments.com/"><img src="http://lc.fdots.com/cc/lc/19/199ecb99cb93e8ca7f259810c2a5c9e6.gif" border="0" alt="MyHotComments.com"></a><br><a href="http://www.myhotcomments.com/graphics/19086">MyHotComments</a> Have a great day... !!LIFE'S TOO SHORT TO STRESS!!<br clear="left">
GO HEAD AND LEND YOUR OPTICAL VISION IN ON SOME ENTERTAINMENT. IF YOU’VE ALREADY SENT IT…THANK YOU, IF YOU HAVENT SEEN IT; THANK YOU FOR SEEING IT NOW. MUCH LUVE ON THE LUVE SHOWN.
ONLY1WIZER AMEN THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR "SEATTLE WATCH ME" ONLY1WIZER FEAT. JAVIERRE.
ONLY1WIZER’S “HOW I GO/ EL AMOR DE JESUS”
IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE; GO HEAD AND DROP A VIDEO COMMENT ON YOUTUBE BABY!! MUCH LOVE ALWAYS.
"Jus Let It FLO" The Long Awaited Debut Album from FLOetic Lara. Launch Party on 31st May, London,UK. An energy-filled night where FLO and guests take you on the theatrical and musical journey of this emerging unsigned talent. With vocals capabilities ranging from rich powerful explosions to beautiful dulcet tones, this Passionate Poet and Soulful Singer expresses herself without limitation, inspiring all who experience her touching gift. FLOetic Lara (aka FLO) international artistic Soulful , Passionate Poet, Lyricist, Articulate Songwriter. FLO is truly herself, her vocal capabilities range from beautiful dulcet tones to rich powerful explosions as she expresses herself without any limitations. Her core source is evidently jazz, yet she transcends categorisation as she effortlessly creates a fusion with soul,gospel, hip hop and much more. Her FREEDOM ON STAGE, and love of music interwoven with powerful lyrics, sung and spoken reverberates with all who experience her touching gift!!! BE DER! MUCH,MUCH THANKS for allowing this Comment on your SPACE!! Much Grateful, Blessed Love, Sista Kiya ....
Look where you are From where you came You had a helping hand To gain your fame Your motivation was one thing Your determination another Your drive to succeed And overcome various obstacles Your family Your teachers Your friends Your believers You know it was the masses Making sure you got to your classes Staying on your behind Making sure you did things on time Yes, you made sure as well But others have stories to tell Of how they helped you along your way Which is why you are a success today See, we may motivate ourselves Be determined to live our dreams But we definitely had help In order for us to succeed Whether it was one person or many Who encouraged us time and time again Whether it was a family member Or a very good friend Fact of the matter is that We had help to lead us to our destination And we still get help Because sometime we fall back into procrastination So just as you were blessed To have the proper people in your life To help you gain and maintain Stoppin you from doing wrong and making sure you did right so you would sustain Let's remember our own journey And those who made it possible to believe That we would make it someday That our blessings, we would receive Reflect back And continue to look toward Your daily blessings in this life And make a change in someone else's by paying it forward
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse
(please see my blog):
WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north,
From a place in Sydney to Cairns;
Then to Kuranda I went forth,
By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market,
With fresh fruits of tropical kind;
Walked to the creek through lush thicket -
Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe;
Then, outside, as I wrote for yen,
Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey,
You go walkabout with your pen. ”
Request or question, I don’t know -
Assured voices, elderly men.
That’s now several years ago,
And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Are you interested in promoting the awareness of child sexual abuse? If so, would you mind doing it as a beauty queen?? :D Please look over our Stop the Silence Ambassador Pageant website and let me know what you think!
join us every Friday for the soulBEAUTIFUL download of the week and sign up to the sB weekly newsletter for fresh music and news straight to your inbox.
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