May7

Lessons Learned from the Height of the Full Moon

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Lessons Learned from the Height of the Full Moon

On May 5, 2012 at 11:35 pm, it was one of the fullest moon of the season. We often hear of people say be mindful of the full moon, stay inside or for those who really understand the power of the moon will say to utilize the season of the full and new moon to seize the opportunity to pray, to recite affirmations and confirm an intention.

The moon guides the tide of the ocean, it empowers and signals a change in a moment in time during the month. A moment in time where the moon is full of magnetic energy that can have an effect on any transmission of energy. This past full moon I realized that there are still elements of my internal muscles that were called to transform, forgive, heal and renew. I answered that call by being still and silent- listening to the universe and resting.

It was a moment to renew the cells in my body, to ready myself for the next stage of my life and envision a self where I can call on the power of magnetic energy to call forth abundance, call forth clarity, call forth truth, call forth the flow of good to engulf me.

Today I say thank you moon…

May6

Focus on Yoruba Art…The Fakeye Family

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Focus on Yoruba Art…The Fakeye Family
Ajere Ifa-1

This gallery contains 14 photos.

As I embark on the second year anniversary of publishing my book, I Hear Olofi’s Song: A Collection of Yoruba Spiritual Prayers for Egun and Orisa, I have the opportunity to continue to reflect, give thanks and honor others who were supportive of this project. It has been truly been a journey from the beginning [...]

May6

Angelique Kidjo serves as Honorary Chair of a special dance party “Dance On” to celebrate 23 years of excellence in the Brooklyn community

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Angelique Kidjo serves as Honorary Chair of a special dance party “Dance On” to celebrate 23 years of excellence in the Brooklyn community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Brooklyn, NY – Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. will celebrate over two decades of remarkable cultural arts and educational programming and service to youth and families in Brooklyn with their 23rd Anniversary Celebration, “Dance On.”
Ifetayo will host “Dance On,” on Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 6PM -10PM at the Beaux Arts Court, Brooklyn Museum of Art. The celebration will feature live music and a DJ from 12 musical genres, special freestyle performances from world-renowned artists and competitions in Lindy Hop/Swing and Salsa in which everyone is invited to participate.
This year’s honorary chair, Angelique Kidjo, who TIME Magazine calls “Africa’s Premier Diva” and the Guardian lists as one of the “100 most inspiring women in the World” will serve as an ambassador to applaud Ifetayo’s 23 years of dedicated service to people of the African Diaspora.
Kidjo shares in the mission of Ifetayo, which is a West African Yoruba word for “love is enough for joy.” This adage captures the organization’s nurturing approach to cultural arts programming that supports, affirms, and inspires youth and their families to realize their full potential as creative beings, community leaders, and agents of social change. “As an African, she says, she comes from a place with problems. But as a musician, she argues, she can solve them.” (TIME)
The gala features a fun interactive competition with a phenomenal panel of world-renowned judges. The lineup of judges include Baba Chuck Davis, founder and Artistic Director of DanceAfrica; Emmy Award nominated choreographer, Jeffrey Page, whose intricate movements have been featured on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Beyonce’s Tour – The Beyonce Experience, MTV’s Video Music Awards, the BET Awards, and the World Music Awards; Marlon “International” Mills is one of New York’s most well-known Salsa dancers; Pat Hall, internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer who has appeared at the Joyce Theater, Carnegie Hall, Dance Theater Workshop, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Jacob’s Pillow; and Janete Silva, former dancer with Dance Brazil(NY) and Bale Folklorico da Bahia(Brazil) and choreographer/dancer Luam Keflezgy, who has worked with recording artists including Kris, Joe Buddens, Beyonce, and Rihanna.
“We are humbled to celebrate 23 years of serving our community. The Gala will provide an amazing opportunity to thank our children, our families and those who have supported us throughout the years,” said Kwayera Archer-Cunningham, Founder and President of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. “The success of our youth and strength of our families is the true testament to the value and importance of our work, and we are honored.”
Confirmed Sponsors of the 23rd Anniversary Celebration include: M&T Bank, ABC Channel 7 News and Sovereign Bank.
“Dance On,” contact Mihoby Rabeharison, Development Assistant at gala@ifetayo.org or visit http://www.IfetayoDanceOn.org
About Ifetayo Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. is a non-profit organization that utilizes arts and culture as a means to heal and develop communities of the African Diaspora. For 23 years, Ifetayo has offered African-centered programming to develop cultural awareness, provide arts instruction, strengthen academic support, and enhance health and well being.

For more information about Ifetayo go to: www.ifetayo.org

Feb24

When Amazing Things Happen…

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When Amazing Things Happen…

We don’t get many opportunities to support others in their dreams. We are often consumed with our own dreams and aspirations. But often in the quite moments I believe the Creator “listens” and watches for the moments when we can help support another in their pursuit for change, inspiration, and to dream big. So today I offer you an opportunity to support a dream, to bridge two long-standing communities together and to rally around a special initiative to see something really amazing happen. Support Omiyesa ( a cultural group committed to Yoruba tradition) ground breaking trip to Bahia, Brazil.

www.indiegogo.com/omiyesa

Click on the “Contribute” Button

Jan22

Writing a Love Letter to…myself

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Writing a Love Letter to…myself

Happy New Year! This year I have committed myself to doing a couple of things. One, writing more and of course more blogs. Two, thinking about ways to release the joy that is inherent inside me. Three, being and living in love. The first thing that came to mine to combine all three of those things was to write a love letter. Why a love letter? Often, these letters are written with such vulnerabilty and great expectation (even when we don’t want to admit it) that it is the perfect opportunity to speak openly and honestly to one self.
We should all write a love letter, much in the way that we used to communicate, through a poignant sense of love without boundaries of text, computers, and facebook profile statuses but more in the way where the pen or pencil touching a piece of paper would hold you to the words captured on paper. It was almost as if your testimony and professing of love was set by just the ink set on paper.
Today, I commit to loving myself and I invite you to seek a sense of true introspection whereby you can openly honestly see all that you are and what you intend to be for your future. In that, you might see the boundless potential that is waiting to be nurtured and shared with the world. Just make sure you sign it at the end.

Sep21

Centering your Ori/Soul-Controlling your Emotions

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Centering your Ori/Soul-Controlling your Emotions

Listen to Voices of Vision with Ayoka Wiles on Omo Oduduwa Radio

Wednesday, September 21- Centering your Ori/Soul- Controlling Your Emotions
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf

Listen to internet radio with Osaremi on Blog Talk Radio
Sep20

Maintaining Your Center

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Maintaining Your Center

As a part of my conversation on my radio show Voices of Vision on Omo Oduduwa Radio, I have been discussing “Ori” which is the Yoruba term for our higher consciousness also known as the Soul in some cultures. Yoruba culture teaches us that we must maintain our center. We maintain our center by appropriating our Ori/Our Soul through: 1) Prayer- practicing the presence of the Divine energy and invoking the energy as a guide post 2) Meditation- practicing silence and stillness – so you can hear and begin to follow the directives given through your prayers and invocations 3) Affirmations- establishing your faith and knowing that thing you prayed for or invoked already exists and will manifest in the way it is supposed to be in divine order and time There is always a challenge between the upper and lower soul consciousness. The energy of the heavens is flowing through the body. The physical body is counting on the Ori/Soul to do what is right for it. The keys are: • Acceptance- accept things and people for who and what they are • Psychic consciousness and awareness of independent existence – using your psychic energy/intuitive self to see through a situation • Alignment of the individual – being in alignment with a God consciousnesses through prayer, meditation and spiritual development • Identification of self – where you totally identify with your higher self and not deal at all with the lower self (emotionality, physical needs)- you don’t have a need to judge, prove yourself, criticize others and you are in total awareness of your ego and not guided by any needs of the Ego We have to stay in centered in spiritual practices and behaviors that affirm our truth. We have to stay focused on affirming and acting in accordance with the natural state of our being and placing our intent on those things that will cause a natural transformation and change in our lives.

Listen in on www.blogtalkradio.com/theayoka

Sep7

Join me at a Conference Focused on Joy and Happiness

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Join me at a Conference Focused on Joy and Happiness

Join me at the Omo Obatala Egbe’s 14th Annual International Orisa Conference.  This year’s three day conference entitled, “Joy, Happiness, & Laughter: Utilizing these Sacred Attributes of the Yoruba Deities” will be held at Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, New York. This conference will explore and examine how our lives can be enriched by the dynamic expressions of the Yoruba deities and how best can we encompass joy and happiness into our lives.

I will be sharing part of my book through prayer and fellowship on Saturday morning about we can bring more joy, happiness and laughter into over lives and live more fully.

The Friday evening will feature a presentation by Andres “Chulisi” Rodriguez & Lose Control Comedy Troupe. The conference will include an African bazaar/marketplace, panels and workshops featuring accomplished scholars, professors and authors including Gloria Rodriguez, Professor of Psychology, Dr. K. Zauditu-Selassie, Professor and author of Spiritual Traditions in the Novels of Toni Morrison and esteemed actor, director and 2010 Audelco winner, Akin Babatunde.

 Omo Obatala Egbe created in 1988, is a cultural non-profit organization whose mission is to research and preserve the traditions and practices of the Yoruba/Lukumi culture. The mission is accomplished through educational and research programs for adults and youth; cultural enrichment; and, by providing social services for our members and the community-at-large. The conferences have attracted attendees from around the world, leading the debate and discourse on cultural and African traditions.

For more information go to www.omoobatalaegbe.org

Aug24

When a Woman’s Soul Speaks~ A Revolutionary Book is Born

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When a Woman’s Soul Speaks~ A Revolutionary Book is Born

On Saturday, September 17, 2011, Gloria Rodriguez, a tenured professor, inspirational speaker, and now author is launching her first book: “You Are More Than Good Enough.”  In it she combines storytelling, sacred wisdom, practical tools and techniques that will inspire, cajole, and catapult readers into an embrace of themselves.

Gloria generously shares the pitfalls, challenges and triumphs of her step-by-step voyage to self-acceptance and self-love in order to embrace her soul’s calling.  Readers will learn techniques and treasures of the soul that will prepare them to rediscover their true essence connect to their life purpose and deny any power to an inner critic.  Knowing you are good enough is no small feat but with compassion and understanding Gloria gives the reader permission to claim the best of who they are with confidence and without apology.

Gloria’s message is clear: Self-love provides the capacity and ability to love others. It ultimately guides us to the understanding that loving relationships with family, friends and the broader community leads to a healthy society and it
begins with the power of one-YOU! ~ Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, author of Altar of My Soul and When Spirits Dance Mambo

Reading this book and following Gloria’s advice will bring you to a place of radical empowerment and freedom.~Colin Tipping, author of Radical Forgiveness

Gloria chronicles her story of overcoming her “not good enoughs” and provides tools and strategies for her readers to fight their fears and own their calling.~Sandra Guzman, author of The New Latina’s Bible

This experiential evening is for all women and those who care and work on behalf of girls and women.  You Are More Than Good Enough is sure to incite an inner revolution that will shake you into pure action.

The Book Signing and Reception

When: Saturday, September 17, 2011:  6-9pm

Where:
Amazulu Art Loft, 1627 N. 2nd Street
(2nd Floor)Philadelphia, PA

Gloria M. Rodriguez is the Founder and Director of DeAlmas Women’s Collective, a community-based organization launched in 1998. Literally meaning “of the soul”, Dealmas is dedicated to providing women the opportunity to reclaim, honor and express their divine feminine gifts and potential through spiritual and personal transformation. She is also a tenured Professor of Psychology at Bronx Community College of The City University of New York. Ms. Rodriguez presents workshops, keynote addresses and lectures to national and international audiences at
conferences, retreats and major colleges, including Columbia, Barnard, NYU, Dartmouth, Wesleyan, St. Johns, Trinity
College and The City University of New York. Gloria practices New Thought/Ancient Wisdom teachings and was initiated into the Yoruba/Lukumi religious tradition in 2003 as an Omo Osun. She is a proud mother and adoring grandmother.  A self-proclaimed, “daughter of the universe”, she enjoys traveling, the arts, and experiencing the infinite beauty that exists within our global community.

Sponsors for the event include Amazulu Art. Inc., Phenomenal Women’s Committee, Salseros International
Dance Company and Ayoka Wiles Quinones, Author and Nonprofit Consultant.

For more information contact:
215-253-9368 or 347-879-4515.

RSVP@ Email: gloriarodriguezauthor@gmail.com |Website: www.dealmas.org

www.facebook.com/gloriarodriguezauthor/
www.Twitter.comUR_GoodEnough

Available on Amazon

May18

Being Grateful…The Gifts of Giving

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Being Grateful…The Gifts of Giving

Each waking moment is filled with millions of thoughts and often those thoughts are dominated by feelings of lack, wishing for something else, and/or wondering about the next change in our lives. But I have decided that for at least one moment each day to thank the Creator for all that I have been honored to receive in my life. I am truly blessed and I extend this affirmation to you as well.  Even through hardships and challenges there is always an opportunity to be grateful. To be grateful that you have family, to be grateful to think and be creative, to be grateful for breath of life, to be grateful for your health, to be grateful for the opportunity to see your way through and humble yourself before the Creator and acknowledge his strength. To be grateful that even in falling you can always get up with strength, tenacity and victory.

So I stand tall and claim all of my victories now and in the future. I am grateful for the opportunity to have realized a lifelong dream of writing and publishing a book. This May marks the first anniversary of one step in that journey. I am truly grateful for all of the people who have supported me either by writing me directly and sharing how it has changed or help them in some way and for those who have shared it with someone else in their lives. I graciously shared a gift I received from the Creator and shared them with the world.  It didn’t belong to me and wasn’t for me to keep alone. I was only an obedient vessel listening to the calling of my spirit. So I challenge you too to share those special gifts and talents that you have honed and were blessed to receive; it isn’t meant for you to keep to just yourself it is meant to be a way for you serve.

I am also grateful for family and my mother, Amma McKen, who has triumphed over many challenges. I am grateful for her example as a mother and her graciousness to share her gifts with the world. For over 30 years she has shared her gift of song with the world and continues to do so today. It is through our mothers that we are blessed and I am thankful that I choose right in this lifetime to have her in my life.  The inspiration for my book title came from the nurturing and teaching I received from my parents and my mother in particular.  It was through prayer through song that I first came to know the Creator in the most intimate way. I recognized that the sweet melodies I heard over and over again were declarations, affirmations and supplications echoing a memory of my connectedness to spirit that was just a breath away.

So in honor my book anniversary and in the spirit of giving, I am offering a special gift to all of you. You may order my book, I Hear Olofi’s Song and the CD, by Amma McKen, Alaako Oso: Owner of the Songs is Eloquent for $15.

Click Here to Purchase

Special Anniversary Sale – CD & Book

$15.00 plus shipping