“Change my city overnight, If the ambiance ain’t right...”

JahOfYork is off to Bangkok, Thailand!! Why?
I have decided that I need a change of environment, focus and meaning this summer 2009. Yes, Europe can be nice and scenic in the summer months and there IS always a work to be done. Especially if you’re an artist! However, I am in a period between my art, regular life and heaven in that I feel the universe has summoned me to give back….to pay tidings to those in need and to show my level of gratitude for the blessing I have received (no matter how big or small).

I have been assisting, brainstorming and acting as moral and administrative support to a (yet another) friend of mine here in Amsterdam - a Thai woman named, Wanna living in the Netherlands for 25 years. I made friends with her through another contact two years ago in Rotterdam city. Originally, she arrived to Holland under the conditions of human trafficking to survive. Being that she couldn't speak, read or write fluent Dutch or English upon coming here, it seemed hopeless! However, today she is strong enough to share her story with open heart after keeping her life-long illiteracy in the closet until recently.

She was fortunate to have had gradually worked her way out of that difficult lifestyle. She now has a family of three girls and new life. She was laid off in Dec 2008 due to the crisis and is not confident that she will NOT be able to find work here because of her age and her confirmed dyslexia. So she has decided to leave her family behind later this year, move back to Bangkok and build her organization called Wanna-B (as in Be what you want to be, instead of what you will have to be!).

Wanna-B will allow youths ages 6 until 18 years of age the opportunity to learn English, Western Sports, Music, Dance and various other skills that are essential so that they are not dependent on menial jobs and tasks. Ultimately, so that they do not become victims of human trafficking or are at the mercy of wealthier Thai people in Thailand. I, myself, will be amongst the first of her instructors to head out to Bangkok in a few weeks as the formalities are just about done. I will teach English and Music to kids in areas of Bangkok where larger exchange programs and companies refuse to go (mainly due to social politics)! In the evenings and weekend, I will be performing installments of my ‘Soul X-ported’ Tour in various venues around the city. One week in Seoul, Korea will also be included in the tour. A percentage of profits will be re-entered into the organizations development fund.

Wanna is doing this with what little savings she has left, yet wants to service youths as soon as possible while she solidifies infrastructures of the project; and simply needs to build a larger network to get the word out. I believe this is far larger than ME, and any American crisis and I can't wait to help!! THIS is our FUTURE!!! Coming from a less privileged upbringing in the Bronx hence seeing what challenges exist in Thailand (as per my previous trip there in 2000 via a YMCA program), I KNOW the need is great.

Asia, here I come....NOT as a savior, NOT as a tourist and NOT as a Rowdy American looking for a shopping spree but, as a supporter of humanity and ethical ideals.

In the meantime, Wanna’s family and I have started a group for her project on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=78644248745&ref=ts

Website: www.wannab.org

Add us!!

Bless,
JahOfYork

My 'Dispose Of Me' song in FS Green 'N' FullCrate's 22Tracks (SOUL section)

Check me in the SOUL section of FS Green 'N' FullCrate's www.22tracks.com this Summer 2009.

My Life Is So Sporadic

I received a Skype chat pop-up message some weeks ago from a good friend – a trendy underground fashion world guru (living here in Amsterdam). She mentioned that a contact of hers was searching for a dark-toned, presentable gentleman to be a part of a special photo shoot. She forwarded me the contact’s information, only for me to find out that it was an industry shoot PR stunt for the movie “Bruno”.

The details that the contact gave me were VERY vague so as not to blow the “cover” of the whole project. Shoots and events like these are usually quite confidential so I was not surprised nor did I push the contact for extra details. After receiving misleading clues that this shoot was related to an exclusive movie premiere of a Black American actor/comedian that had gained acclaim in recent years, I FINALLY THOUGHT I had put the pieces to the puzzle.

It was Terrence Howard known for his works in Hustle & Flow (2005) & Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005). Well, unfortunately it was not! Nor did the gig entail much wearing much clothing on the set either.

Yes, I was one of various brown-skinned men posing in The Pinklight District concept in Amsterdam last June 19, 2009. Gratefully, I was out of range for the cameras and paparazzi that roared when show time came and we had to raise the curtains. (Also, grateful that I was not a real escort and that it WAS just all fun and games.) My get-up was extremely tight and uncomfortable!

Remnants of this PR stunt were published in various periodicals all worldwide everywhere I looked that vey next morning. The exclusive and official “red carpet” event would follow that evening. The extravagant movie opening took place at the Tuschinski Theatre; near the infamous Rembrandtplein, where Rembrandt’s statue stands over 3-meters tall, overseeing the special occasion. Bruno (also known as Borat) was also in attendance.

A day in my sporadic life….

JahOfYork