Entertainment

Books You Should Read: Down These Mean Streets

Down These Mean Streets by the late Piri Thomas, is a classical autobiography where Thomas documents his coming of age on the streets of Spanish Harlem.

Published

12 years ago

December 9, 2011

Chenelle R. Covin

I had the pleasure of reading Down These Streets in my minorities in literature class during my studies at Rutgers University.

Table of Contents

Down These Mean Streets

This powerful read, even though written nearly thirty years ago, still resonates today.

Down These Mean Streets by the late Piri Thomas, is a classical autobiography where Thomas documents his coming of age on the streets of Spanish Harlem.

Thomas is a Puerto-Rican in English-speaking America, a dark-skinned morenito in a family that refused to accept him. This novel explores the deadly consolation of drugs, street fighting, and robbery – which ended when Piri was sent to prison for shooting a cop.

Piri recounts the journey of being an adolescent, being locked up in Sing-Sing, to overcoming these obstacles through faith, self-acceptance, and inner confidence.

Rate: 4 Stars

About Piri Thomas

Piri Thomas was born to Puerto Rican and Cuban parents in New York City’s Spanish Harlem in 1928. Poverty in the ghetto led him to drugs, youth gangs, and a series of criminal activities, for which he served seven years in prison. There he began his life of rehabilitation, vowing to use his street and prison experience to turn youths away from lives of crime. Thomas then lectured at schools and universities across the country.

Thomas published three more books: Savior, Savior Hold My Hand in 1972, Seven Long Times in 1974, and Stories from El Barrio (1978). He also wrote a play, The Golden Streets, and material for television specials. He moved to California in 1983. After losing his wife and long-time companion, Betty Elder, he married Suzie Dod in 1988. Together they promoted a program that he called “Unity Among Us,” emphasizing the dignity of all human beings. They also completed two CD’s of his poetry with state of the art music, Sounds of the Streets and No Mo’ Barrio Blues.

Thomas died from pneumonia at his home in El Cerrito, California on October 7, 2011. He is survived by his wife, six children, and three step-children.

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Chenelle R. Covin

Chenelle Covin is the Editor-in-Chief of the award winning online magazine, Unheard Voices.

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Entertainment

U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates a successful St. Thomas Carnival

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals celebrate the success of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival.

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Sizzla (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals celebrate the success of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival.

Table of Contents

2024 St. Thomas Carnival

Kicking off with cultural staples including the Prince & Princess Show, Queen Show, Calypso Monarch, and Panorama, the St. Thomas Carnival festivities welcomed thousands of revelers, including locals, the diaspora, and visitors, to the shores of Charlotte Amalie for a multi-day celebration spotlighting the broad culture and traditions of the island territory.

“Carnival in the U.S. Virgin Islands is growing, allowing us to display our rich and vibrant culture to the world,” shares Commissioner Joseph Boschulte of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. “This success is a testament to the continued hard work of our Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals staff whose unwavering efforts showcase our home islands.”

Performances

Machel Montano kicked off six nights of free nightly concerts in the Festival Village, followed by performances from KES the Band, Sizzla Kalonji, Patrice Roberts, Barrington Levy, Adam O, TeeJay, Spectrum Band, Temisha, and more. On Saturday night, international superstar Shaggy closed out the village, performing hits like “It Wasn’t Me,” “Boombastic,” and “Angel” in front of thousands of fans.

: Machel Montano (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

: Patrice Roberts (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

: Sizzla (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

: Shaggy (Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

Children’s and Adult Parade days were filled with revelers in bright and ornate costumes adorned with jewels, feathers, and traditional madras fabrics.

“Every year, we want to bring the best experiences to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands for carnival. We are extremely excited to continue growing our national celebrations and welcoming the world to experience them with us,” adds Ian Turnbull, U.S. Virgin Islands Director of Festivals.

More info on St. Thomas Carnival

With carnival arrivals growing by nearly 27% compared to 2023 and record event attendance throughout April’s celebrations, the USVI Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals continues innovatively leading transformative progress in carnival culture and destination marketing within the Caribbean region.

Carnival season in the U.S. Virgin Islands will kick off again in less than two months when the St. John Celebration begins in late June.

For more information on the St. John Celebration, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/experiences/carnivals-festivals.

Black Excellence

Inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards

Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Published

2 months ago

March 20, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Get a look inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

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About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.

Honorees

This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.

Check out some photo highlights inside the 17th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Shavone Charles attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Loni Love attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Nkechi Okoro Carroll attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Danielle Brooks attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Host Method Man speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Joey Badass, Gail Bean, Patina Miller, Kathryn Busby, Brandee Evans, Da’Vinchi and Shannon Thornton onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Patina Miller attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Tamera Mowry attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Boris Kodjoe attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

For more, please visit http://www.essence.com/bwih2024

Culture

U.S. Virgin Islands Announces the Performance Line-up for St. Thomas Carnival Village Featuring Shaggy, Sizzla, Patrice Roberts, and Machel Montano

The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals has announced the performance line-up for the 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village.

Table of Contents

72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village

The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.

“The anticipation around this year’s St. Thomas Carnival is at an all-time high, and the Village night performers reflect the continued influence and growth of our territory’s three carnivals,” exclaims USVI Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.

Center Stage

Adam O, Rudy Live, Temisha, Karnage, Blind Earz, VIO International, and Spectrum Band are among the performers who will take center stage to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Every year, our goal is to pay homage to the vast Virgin Islands and Caribbean culture that is at the cornerstone of these annual celebrations for natives and visitors alike,” added USVI Division of Festivals Director Ian Turnbull.

Haitian kompa band VAYB and Dominican salsa orchestra Chiquito Team Band will provide a cross-cultural immersion of sound, highlighting the diverse musical interests of Virgin Islands residents.

First-time performers

Rounding out the village are a few first-time performers in the territory, including TeeJay, Jada Kingdom, and Kollision Band, and returning favorites Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, and Grandmasters.

Kids Night Out Village Night

This year, the Division of Festivals will host its first Kids Night Out Village Night, with activities including the Toddlers Derby, Best Dressed Doll, and performances by TMK and OTB.