Happy Birthday Audre Lorde!!!

On this day 97 years ago…my grandfather Jeremiah Gumbs was born.  Pop-pop was the person who taught me how a love for poetry could transform my life.   It seems not mere coincidence that my favorite poet and chosen ancestor Audre Lorde was ALSO born on this day 76 years ago!  This podcast, lovingly released on this birthday of two of my beloved ancestors who make their spirits known in my life on a daily basis is also dedicated to a new ancestor.

My godmother Aunt Andie (Andria Hall) died from breast cancer a little over a year and a month ago today. To honor Aunt Andie and Audre Lorde, and June Jordan, and my stepsister Kyla’s mom Diane and Mama Nayo Barbara Watkins and so many more beautiful ancestors who are so powerfully with us, my mom, my Aunti Akosua and the brilliant and inspiring Mary Anne Adams who is a breast cancer survivor collaborated on this podcast.  May it be healing for you and may it be an invitation to the energy of all of your ancestors to fill your heart and kiss your face.

love always,

lex

http://brokenbeautiful.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/audre-lorde-survival-podcast.mp3

you can also find the recent podcast on itunes if you search “brokenbeautiful press”

<3<3<3<3<3

In Your Hands: Eternal Summer Sunday Morning Podcast

Because it takes a whole month to prepare for the day of the dead. Because some of us have to create eclectic Sunday morning rituals to hear our own truth. Because I want you to have this for when you need it. This podcast is based on letters from my black feminist ancestors. For more about the “In Your Hands” project check out http://www.motherourselves.wordpress.com.

I hope this piece grounds you and reminds you where you are from. You can save it for Sunday or you can listen right now.

Much love,

Lex

in your hands podcast

p.s.

You can also see video of the In Your Hands Project at Beloved the Mangos with Chili Day of the Dead celebration on November 7th in the San Francisco Bay Area and participate in an installation at the conference of Ford Fellows in Newport Beach California this coming weekend!