Riffin' on Main Street

Black Sublime

This month, the campus was full of collaborations, commemorations, discussions, and celebrations. After I saw the Dean’s Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams honor Maya Moore and Bill Russell by wearing pre-game warm-up shirts, I was inspired to mention them in remarks I gave later that evening at the annual MyBlackSpeaks and the Black Student Union Black Excellence Showcase. 

This year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) declared that Black Resistance is the theme for Black History Month. Maya Moore and Bill Russell embody the theme. They are also Black sublime. Throughout their ways and their lives, Maya Moore and Bill Russell demonstrated outstanding spiritual, intellectual and moral worth. They are examples of transcendent excellence in thought, expression and every manner. For Black folks, that IS resistance. Maya Moore and Bill Russell show us that Black resistance is more than existence. We celebrate them in, history, for their improvisation, creativity, persistence, brilliance, excellence, and joy.

Peace.

Presidents Day – Dean College, “We’re poised with opportunity”

Can I get down on Presidents Day? Must one have been George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or the head of The States to make a claim to Presidents Day? 

I’m taking a President’s Prerogative and staking a claim to the Day. 

Louie Z attended my investiture ceremony, took notes during my speech and went on to create this song: "Opportunity" (I even got songwriting credit.) 

I was so in a zone during the ceremony that I asked, “Did I say that? Sounds too profound." For me, this is a love note to Dean College as well as a flattering scoop of coolness with handful of hip-flavored sprinkles. A flattering tribute to a regular-ole-president.

Many thanks Louie Z!

Peace.

Kenn Elmore
President
Occasional Lyricist