"In search of Maat...

I traveled to the Oakland Museum and witnessed a whole bunch of adventures. I saw Kijiji Grow systems in full effect and heard, co-owner of Kijiji Grow, Keba Konte, announce one of their Kijiji systems would be donated to a school in Oakland.

During this event I witnessed, Chef, Author, Bryan Terry demonstrate one of his vegan recipes from his new cookbook called, The Vegan Cookbook. He cooked some greens picked up at the Mo’ Better food market.

In search of Maat…I traveled to the McClymonds Educational Complex, to visit a McClymonds High School Alumni meeting, where Jumoke Hodge, the new school board representative, met with both principals of the McClymonds Educational Complex and School District representative, Alison McDonald. There she shared how better communication between them would improve the school next year.

But Maat was not there...

In search of Maat…I traveled to the Village Bottoms Neighborhood Association meeting. There I saw, various individuals generations discussing ways of developing “from the bottoms up,” in the village bottoms of West Oakland, and beyond. I saw Mo’ Better Food and the Soul Food Cooperative, planning new markets in the neighborhood for food grown in the village bottoms, as well as from the African American Farmers of California.

In search of Maat…I traveled to Raliegh, North Carolina and saw several Black farm leaders discussing the future of their farms and the communities they serve. Although, a portion of the program dealt with the Pigsford vrs U.S.D.A. class action lawsuit, the majority of the program focused on sharing their best practices and networking, to save their land and the communities they serve.

A few of the major Black farmer organizations, like the Black Farmers Agricultural Association, The Federation of Southern Cooperatives, including the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives, had representatives at this meeting to discuss the future of their organizations and the farmers they represent.

Other representatives present, included, but not limited to, representatives from Land Grant- Historical Black College and Universities- Pine Bluff in Arkansas, South Carolina A&T and Southern University. Also present was the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network and Mo’ Better Food. The event was presented by the Land Loss Prevention, Inc and funded by the Kellogg Foundation.

After all these adventures, I have yet to find Maat, and found myself sitting on a canoe, underneath the bay bridge. I was starring into the waters, when a fish appeared, and jumped on to my canoe. He stood on his tale and said, “you looking for Maat.” I said, “yes!.”

“Well good luck…you ain’t the first, and I’m sure you will not be the last, but let me tell you just were Maat may be... “Listen close,” he said, each word I can only say once….”

“On Saturday, June 27th, purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the Mo’ Better Food Market on 7th Street/ Mandela Parkway in West Oakland…”

“Take this food to the 16th Annual Black College Day in San Leandro.” And then he begin to explain, “in case you get lost at the park, look around for alumni from Historical Black Colleges and Universities celebrating their friends and family on that day...”

“Stay there until Sunday, and then at close to noon, you will see a seagull wearing sunglasses...at that time, you should jump in the bay waters, and swim to the dock of the San Francisco bay…dry yourself off and run to Union Square in San Francisco. Hear the voice of Miko Marks, and play close attention, this ain’t no funky chicken, because her words, will give you a clue or two of where Maat may be…



But if Maat is not found, you must turn on some James Brown, and practice the camel walk.”

If Maat still evades you attend a celebration of Congo Independence Day on
Tuesday, June 30 6:30pm, at the Black Dot Cafe, at 1195 Pine St. in West Oakland...”

Listen close to the the words of Kambale Musavulli, He will speak on the history of the the Congo: from Leopold, to Lamumuba, to the Congo War which has already claimed 6 million lives.”

If Maat still has not shown up, on July 11th, an event called Faith Day in the Park, will have several churches coming together, for better health in the community..”

“Mo’ Better Food will be there, with live music and entertainment..
and when you hear the music, you must remember to shake your booty...and then Maat just may appear.

“In fact, Mo’ Better Food is currently looking for healthy food vendors who would like to cook healthy dishes at this event. The booth space would be free! (Hopefully you will purchase some if not all your food from the African American Farmers of California) ☺ Deadline for vendors for the Faith Day in the Park is June 30th,” he begin to explain as if he worked for Mo’ Better Food.

“If Maat is not found by then,” the fish continued, go to The Alameda Country Fair - July 16th. Mo’ Better Food and The African American farmers are scheduled to be amongst others who believe that healthy food can build healthy communities…”

“I do hope MAAT appears by then brother Hotep..” but if for some reason not…take an adventure down Telegraph street on July 19th until you reach Beebe Memorial Church. Mo' Better Food will host a farmers market there...

and Maat just may show up...and remember to put something in the bowl...oh yeah, the Art and Soul ...Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16. Maat just may be there...

And then he sneezed… and said excuse me…please…have you heard of the experience?” On the green…I mean…
August 29th at the Oakland Museum, 10 time grammy award singer, writer, producer, guitarist, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds will be there and Maat enjoys Babyface...May juuuussst may be there…”

“But if not, let me tell you where I think Maat may be...on October 8th through the 14th, the Oakland International Film festival takes place..."


"The Call For Entries deadline for the 8th Oakland International Film Festival is July 2nd," he continued.

“During those days, and nights, Maat just may appear…”and then the fish said,

“Hotep, may your adventures be right, and may your light shine bright, and then the fish dropped back into the water.”

Hotep means peace…may peace be with you!

You can know follow Hoteps adventures on Twitter.com/hotepsadventure

 

 

Copyright ©2009 All Rights Reserved David Roach