Imhotep Gary Byrd Honored as Black Media Legend

From Put On BLAST During the final hours of Black History Month, I send you this wonderful announcement about Imhotep Gary Byrd. I'm thrilled to share the news that he was honored earlier this month by McDonald's. I'm even more excited to share a few things about this legendary person that you just might not have known. Please read the email and the attached bio below..and share it with friends. Imhotep is a friend to Black people everywhere and we're wiser because of his contributions and golden achievements in media. Read on... With respect, April R. Silver AKILA WORKSONGS Since 2002, McDonald's has paid tribute to New York-based media figures during Black History Month. I'm happy to share this great news: Earlier this February, world renown radio broadcaster, songwriter, and poet IMHOTEP GARY BYRD was named to McDonald's Annual List of Black Media Legends. In addition to being honored at a special luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria, Imhotep and fellow awardees, are featured on commemorative posters that are available at all 650 McDonald's restaurants throughout the New York Metropolitan region (no purchase necessary). The posters are coveted by school teachers and are used as a part of their Black History curriculum. Other honorees this year include Sade Baderinwa, WABC-TV; Lewis Dodley, NY1; Janice Huff, WNBC; Otis Livingston, WCBS-TV; Craig Treadway, WPIX; and Fred "Bugsy" Buggs, KISS-FM (and a mentee of Byrd's). McDonald's Black History campaign is a successful yearly event and is designed to honor Black History makers throughout our community. About Imhotep Gary Byrd Imhotep Gary Byrd is the award-winning host, creator, and executive producer of The GBE, the longest running black radio broadcast in the history of New York City. His career as a multi-media radio personality, spoken word and recording artist, songwriter, and motivational speaker has always focused on "raising human consciousness through communications." In a career that spans over 40 years, Byrd, a highly respected modern day griot, is known for breaking barriers.  His innovations in radio, as a songwriter and producer, have led to countless awards and honors, including his induction into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame, along with the legendary Frankie "Hollywood" Crocker and Byrd's brilliant musical collaborator, Stevie Wonder. For more information about Imhotep's multi-media career in radio, music, and film, including his co-songwriting credits on the classic Stevie Wonder album, Songs In the Key of Life, click HERE to read his full bio.

4 Deaths, 11 Days: In Memoriam...

In memoriam: I'm praying for the souls of my cousin Bubba (from Mattie Mabry's side of my family); of the grandmother of Lumumba Bandele, of the mother of Wm. Jelani Cobb, and of the grandmother of Marcella Runell Hall...all who passed between January 23 and Feb. 2, 2011 (an 11 day stretch). That's alot.

Something to hold from Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet, with the hope that somewhere in these words, there's a comforting spirit.

Then Almitra spoke, saying, We would 

ask now of Death.

And he said:

You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek

it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are

blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of

death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the

river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires

lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow

your heart dreams of spring.

Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden

the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling

of the shepherd when he stands before the

king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.

Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his

trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?

Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked

in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is it to cease breathing, but to

free the breath from its restless tides, that

it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of

silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top,

then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your

limbs, then shall you truly dance.