#paz1

The holiday season is upon us. Did you know that this is the month with the most suicides? Why? People are depressed about what this time of year has become. We've strayed into an abyss of consumerism. We at TDSB are trying to bring the hope back to the season by recognizing what it is truly about. Helping us do that is "Duende."

Duende is a fresh group of young ladies that have decided to do their thing in Long Beach for the youth. When Kasi said she was going to be apart of this I was thinking

Here we go, Kasi is going to spread her self to thin.

But then she let me know the other ladies that she is clicking up with:

Jumakae Yodraj: The multi-talented First Lady of "One Imagination" and the "Break the Silence" Open Mic.

Mae Ramirez: Young, Latina, Mae Westside a fresh poet and all around cool chick.

Michelle Denise Jackson: Fresh out of NYU, one of the stars of "TDSB Presents: Freedom Is A Voice."

With these ladies leading the charge for the youth in Long Beach the flag has been raised. They are all successful in their own rite and trying to give back to the community. Their goal is to create a youth poetry slam team from the LB to send to the "Brave New Voices International Teen Poetry Slam" in 2012.

They have already put on a couple of fresh events at the Manazar Gamboa Theater to raise awareness for their cause. Lets do all we can as a community to get those youth to BNV this year. It will be only the second time the city has sent a team to the event.

If you know youth that might be interested, or you want to contribute financially please let us know.

Otherwise just come out and watch these ladies and their youth do their thing on Friday.

Merry Christmas! I'm glad Jesus was born. If he wasn't we as an organization wouldn't have hope, peace and excitement about this holiday that has been drastically misconstrued.

Paz,