Endless Possibilities

On the evening of Wednesday June 15 2011,  I attended I’mPOSSIBLE. conversations, the first of a series of intimate events helping to educate and empower young women of colour in Britain. It was a truly beautiful, relaxed and empowering evening hosted by the very vivacious Tameka Empson, whose comedic timing, improvisation and ability to engage with and involve the audience was second to none. Her nature coupled with the décor at B.Hive further created a cozy environment that eradicated the often present “us” and “them” invisible line that is usually felt at speaking events.

Sharing their stories were Bonnie Greer OBE, Angie Le Mar, Charlene White, Angela Ferreira and Precious Williams who all expressed their journey’s with unreserved openness, humour sparkled with little gems of knowledge for us all in how to approach life, tap into our own ability and go beyond the limitations of who we think we are.

Everyone has a story because every individual embarks on a journey. There is validity and lessons to be learnt in all expressions. I’mPOSSIBLE is great as in a fast moving world of technology anything is accessible, but nothing can beat the experience of face to face interaction when sharing and exchanging knowledge. Simone Bresi-Ando, I’mPOSSIBLE. founder made this event possible through her mission to inspire us all in enabling us to believe in the possibilities of ourselves, she said...

"To see my idea blossom into a force for good which positively affects everyone in that room and beyond is really where the passion of I’mPOSSIBLE lies. We changed lives tonight by simply showing the audience that they are POSSIBLE because they have the ability, choice and drive to define success on their own terms, unapologetically.”

Event’s such as this, which centres on service to others is vital for everyone but especially women of colour. We have a voice; our voice is valid and needs to be heard in order to raise our visibility and influence.

I am a big fan of Bonnie Greer, so hearing her speak and meeting her was truly something. She has a presence that resonates with me in the same ways as Martin Luther King and Iyanla Vanzant. Every sentence is effortlessly expressed, eloquent and immensely powerful that manages to create a stir in my soul. She has it, I don’t know what that is, but she has it!

I walked away feeling honoured and motivated with a more embracing sense of my own ability and potential. The possibilities of what I can achieve is as wide as the universe though the belief starts within. I left with these thoughts and I will leave you with some words of wisdom from the panel.

“Keep educating yourself, read broadly. Do all things broadly. All the time”
-Angela Ferreira

“If you feel it you must do it!”
-Tameka Empson

“You have to have the confidence and self belief that you can do it and it will happen eventually.”

  - Charlene White

Whatever you decide to do, tool yourself up. You must speak the
language of what you are going to do”.

– Angie Le Mar

“Never stop being yourself, even if people think you are crazy”.
-Precious Williams

         

 “Your ultimate role model is yourself at the highest …hold that highest ideal of yourself”.

This is an important acknowledgement”.

- Bonnie Greer OBE

Pictures © simonfrederick AllRights Reserved

To keep up to date, sign up to the newsletter http://www.i-am-possible.com/

Related Posts:

1.I'mPossible and so are you

2.Inspirational You: Review

3.GFK Fashion Life Event: Review

© Lisa Bent 2011



I'mPOSSIBLE and so are YOU!

I’mPOSSIBLE is a social enterprise founded by Simone Bresi-Ando. The aim is to educate and empower young women of colour in Britain, by promoting, highlighting and showcasing the achievements of successful individuals and their life stories, helping to encourage and inspire others along their individual paths.

The I’mPOSSIBLE.conversation,  is a series of intimate panel led events taking place in central London. The first, sponsored by premium hair care brand Mizani, will be held on Wednesday 15th June and hosted by vivacious actress Tameka Empson. Sitting on the panel will be high profile industry professional’s playwright and critic Bonne Greer OBE, comedian Angie Le Mar, journalist and newsreader Charlene White, former commissioning editor for Channel 4 Daytime Angela Ferreira and author Precious Williams. Hear their stories, find out how they became POSSIBLE and how you can be POSSIBLE to.

This interactive event is one not to be missed.

Tickets are £25 and can be purchased online:
http://iampossibleconversation.eventbrite.com/

I'mPOSSIBLE. conversation

Wednesday 15th June 2011

6pm - 9pm

B.Hive
6-7 Southampton Street
London
WC2E 7RS

For more information about I'mPOSSIBLE please visit:

http://www.i-am-possible.com/

Twitter: @IAMPOSSIBL3

Related Posts:
1. Endless Possibilities
2.Inspirational You: Review
3.GFK Fashion Life Event: review

© Lisa Bent 2011

I WILL FOLLOW...U2

Friday night I hosted the 7^th edition of Images of Black Women Festival (IBW) at The Tricycle Theatre. The mission of this festival, which was co-founded by Slyvianne Rano, is to highlight and celebrate the achievements and presence of women who are of African descent in cinema, across the world both in front and behind the camera lens. 

I was therefore honoured to present the UK première of I WILL FOLLOW, a feature film debut by writer, producer, director and so much more Ava DuVernay. YES I/WE CAN is clearly the motto as she strives and achieves in  kicking down doors that from the outside seem to be firmly shut, not by force or underhand tactics, but through integrity, presence, creativity and content of high quality. This film was the first release by black film distribution collective African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM, pronounced Affirm) and I have no doubt that there will be many more.

I WILL FOLLOW is a narrative film that chronicles the day in the life of “Maye” (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) a successful make-up artist who recently lost her aunt “Amanda” (Beverly Todd) to breast cancer. Over the course of the film we see the various emotions “Maye” goes through as she remembers the person who she loves and has now lost. We also see how other people who knew her react and the dynamics this has on her own grieving process.

Things can’t replace people, though it is some of her things that triggers “Maye’s” memories, through which we, the audience see the person we never got to meet though flashbacks. The balance here is right and this effervescent, bold, sassy women comes to life in such a way that I am able to see that “Maye” is who she is primarily due to her. Music was another big influence that again was eloquently captured though debates and felt through smooth beats that overlaid different scenes,  each time forcing my head to bop and my soul to smile. The power of music is underestimated and a fact that took me out of the film to acknowledge that I miss these sounds and I miss films like this.

I WILL FOLLOW lacks the Hollywood gloss, which is a good thing. It is an honest story of love, loss and finding your way within, without the negative, stereotypical and over dramatisation of who black people are or meant to be. The relationship between “Maye” and “Troy” played by Omari Hardwick was sensitive, touching and heartbreaking, though the love within the pain was tremendously beautiful. The scene on the swings. I will not say anymore for two reasons, firstly I do not want to spoil it for those who haven’t seen the film and lastly, I have no words to fully describe the impact it deserves.

The pace and duration of the film was spot on. Grief knows nothing about time and I feel this was captured in a cleaver way though the one day, one location set up. “Maye” did not run away from her grief she stayed and so did we. People came to her and those that didn't, namely her boyfriend “Evan”, played by Blair Underwood meant that she had to make a decision as his actions affirmed the saying “You know who your friends are in times of need”.

I am aware that a few people felt the film could have “tied up a few ends” to answer some questions, I personally felt this was not needed. Everything we needed to know was there. How long “Evan” and “Maye” were together for, for example was irrelevant because he wasn’t there when she needed him the most. That’s it. 

The film as a whole reminded me of the dynamics at a funeral. Many faces, some you know, others you have never seen, but you know everyone is there for the same purpose and everyone has a story, a memory that may never be told to you. Through observation and interactions the dynamics can be seen, though the full understanding and depth may never be told. This is what I WILL FOLLOW captured for me without showing the funeral.

Refreshing, original, creative, beautifully written and shot, coupled with a great cast. This film is important and powerful. The power alone resides in the acknowledgment that this is Ava DuVernay’s personal story and transcends into the recognition that it was told and screened though the help of people who believed in the project and collaborated.  There IS value in the black voice which cannot be measured. The market is there, our stories need to be told and we need to define who we are.

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3.I will Follow...U2: Film Review
4.Chance to make a Change
5.Top Boy Debate