Name: Emani Dawson-Bey

Hometown: Oakland, California

Occupation/Company Name? I am the Director of Hujambo Public Relations Network; I am a Press Secretary for Building Committees and Families, a non-profit, and the P.O.C.C, Prisoners of Conscious Committee. I am also Publicist for a charismatic vocal artist Soul Sister Minister Afrykah of ‘Queendom Come’, veteran Emcee Father Jah, and Kevelen X all three artists from Unstopable Sound Agency reigning from the South to the Mid -West. My companies have many clients that all represent positive images, messages, and campaigns that help contribute to a higher quality of communications.

Hobbies / Interests: I like to stay active in many different styles of fitness. I like practicing Martial Arts so that I can be empowered and understand the techniques of how to defend myself and my children. I like to jog, or play tennis with my husband and children. Now that my children are getting bigger I want to play softball together. I look forward to it. I spend a lot of time throwing the ball with my boys, and this keeps my youth in tact. This also lets my boys know that girls can throw and catch a football too! My favorite thing to do with my family is performing acts of charity. It purifies our wealth and our hearts and it brings us closer together. We often see unfortunate situations that makes us really appreciate having a family, support, love, shelter, and the will to strive. Charity helps us realize that giving is the food for the soul, and allows positive energy to flow, giving us a real connection to humanity.

ymib: How would you describe a purpose filled life?

Emani: My purpose in life is to contribute to the up-liftment of fallen humanity. I want to practice the principles of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, and Justice. Until these principles are practiced and applied to our every day life, we will not grow morally. I strive hard to make sure change starts in the home first. I have invested time into marriage, motherhood/parenting, activism in social justice change, and character building. The strategy of building alliances through culture, history, and things we have in common is the way to unite young people to know and perhaps even envision their potential.

Getting married at 19, I wanted to build a foundation. I did not want to raise my children in a broken home. I have been happily married for 11 years, and we have six beautiful children (three boys and three girls) of which we raise very “hands on” through home schooling, and other various supplemental education. We wanted to take responsibility for our children’s education, and we wanted to make sure they were learning about people who look like us. We wanted to relay real history of our forefathers and our present status in society. I wanted to offer our children our undivided attention, and I wanted to provide a loving and nurturing environment. I want my children to be empowered and not damaged by Society’s stereotypes, and inferiority complexes put on the children through their peers. I do not plan to shelter them forever just long enough to instill the right principles of thinking so that they can be unscathed once they realize the realities of this world. I know if I teach them HOW to think they will come up with the correct analysis.

My purpose at home is to instill in them a sense of dignity, self assurance, confidence in their purpose and strengths/talents, most importantly strong integrity and work ethic. Which are the tools for success through hard work, and diligence. The purpose of my life is to establish a Legacy and a Prototype for my children to follow, a one of values. The one we will deem as honorable, the one I am paving right now. This is my idea of a fulfilled life; A life that I can establish goals and work diligently to manifest my potentials.

ymib: What has been the most important life lesson that you have learned thus far?

Emani: The most important lesson I have learned is that I am not a slave. However I realized that I am still programmed to act like one. I know that may sound weird, but I am quite serious. I learned that the slave labels ( Negro, Colored, Nigga, Coon, Black). Once I start thinking like a free person, and I learned to reject the labels I realize that the behavior followed. Learning that I must be more than what Society depicted of me. It caused me to do my history to learn about the times before the chattel slavery of America. There were many civilizations that flourished governed by people of Asiatic creed of all shades, in Particular the history of Moors/ Maroons. It encouraged me to find my Queendom. I learned about my Illustrious Forefathers with all their success and I knew that I could strive to of similar likes. This has been my life’s lesson that I did not originate 400 years ago as a slave. I was here as an Indigenous Civilization before colonization (known by many terms), and we were from tribes and nations of the Motherland. I learn to love myself through finding the greatness in me deeply rooted in both struggle and glory. I am working to unite with community leaders though it can be Politically exhausting, I am learning to deprogram myself from the most harmful practice in slavery. Distrust. I am learning how to trust and seek sincere unity with the community and my family.

ymib: What things do you do, or use to keep your body, mind, and soul beautiful and balanced, any favorite beauty/health products, tips, recipes, or regimens?

Emani: I keep my mind in shape with tools like meditation, self contemplation, repentance, and self reflection,. I use these to stay grounded. I execute these actions through Prayer many times a day. This helps me to unite with universe, and helps to clean my thoughts and my soul. I enjoy offering positive advice through mentorship to young sistas and brothas who want to strive for excellence. I do not use many products, I like to stay natural. For facials I like to use avocados, honey, lemons, and olive oil. My Sisters and I like to go get massages to ensure we are relieving ourselves from toxins. I do use many healthy recipes that I prepare for my family so that we can maintain our healthy insides and skin/ outer appearance. I do not allow the children to eat too much candy and do not allow them to have Red #40 and Fructose corn syrup. I use a diet of protein (many forms), vegetables, and lots of fruit. Especially bananas, because we as a people lack Potassium in our diets.

ymib: How does the world look through your eyes?

Emani: My Non-Profit Building Communities and Families and it’s action programs has opened my eyes to see a world with so much to explore. BCF offers Personal Development, Community Arts Program, Minority Youth League, African/Asian/Ancient American Studies Program, Civic Lessons: We teach courses in political Education and Empowerment. Tutoring Program, Financial Management, Free Maintenance and Vocational Training Program, Prison outreach: BCF offers transitional housing as a part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for ex prison offenders. BCF is a certified representative of the CERTS Community Emergency Response Team Survival (Skills), a program in conjunction with the LA County and LA City Fire departments designed to empower the community with skills to responding to emergencies. Looking at the world in my eyes means knowing not to have a defeatist mentality. It means knowing what you have to contribute and actual making a difference

ymib: Most memorable moment in your life thus far?

Emani: The most memorable time in my life, is when my husband asked to marry me.

ymib: What are two things a woman should never take for granted?

Emani: Wow, I have never been asked this, but I must ponder for a sec….. I think that the two things a woman should not take for granted is a good Husband, Soul mate, or friend (especially Girlfriend), and a woman should never take for granted her ability to conquer the Earth with exemplary behaviors and strengths in the area of which she rules ( being an excellent parent, follower, educator, leader, and giver of life). A woman should never take for granted her ability to be a major impact.

Emani: My personal life mission is to help Political Prisoners. I am a Publicist and Press Secretary for the P.O.C.C. (Prisoners of Conscious Committee) whose continuous outreach with the community has strengthened. There are two kinds of Political Prisoners. We have the kind of Political Prisoner who has been locked away during a time when the Political climate of the country determined fate. Especially “Black” people who continue to stand up for Human and Civil rights. The second kind of Political Prisoner is the one who has been put away because of the unjust Political process of America. I am supporting is the Campaign to “Free Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald” (the 1st kind mentioned) who was a former Black Panther member locked away for 38 years and now is finally going up for Parole. He was a leader in the Los Angeles Chapter of the Black Panther Party. I look forward to doing Public Relations for this case and not letting the people rot in jail after he and others have fought for us. I am supporting the Campaign of Michael ‘Little B’ Lewis (the second one mentioned) from Chicago was tried as a minor, now serving a life sentence. I look forward to bringing facts to light about this case, and seeing if the prison walls someday soon can open. I look forward to seeing how my efforts can make a difference. I am also fighting for many campaigns and community leaders, Justice for Aaron Patterson and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. of the P.O.C.C., Imam Jamil Al-Amin, Support for victims of America’s torture system San Francisco 8, Support for Mumia Abu-Jamal to stop his execution, and many others countless fallen people in the struggle who have fought to help better the conditions.

ymib: Who are your favorite female role models, past or present, and why?

Emani: I would have to say Elaine Brown of the former Black Panther Party. Not many people can really speak on Elaine in the way that I can. I remembered being a young girl growing up in Oakland California learning about the Liberation School she established there. She is one of the reasons I decided to have my own institution. I also remember hearing about the first Black Mayor she got elected here. The people of Oakland needed their own leadership, and her role in the Party helped bring confidence to women who felt anointed as leaders. She is still a Mentor through her publications and her present work in the fields of America. She is still living in the Legacy of the Black Panther Party. She always quotes Che’ Guevara when sticking to many principles of change, “ Words are beautiful, but action is Supreme”. That has stuck with me, and I pattern my day after it. The most memorable moments also would be when I ate at the free breakfast program the Black Panther Party established. It nourished me, with fun things to eat like Pancakes and I never forget remembering how grateful I was to eat for " free" because my family couldn't afford to pay for the meals, and my working mother didn't have time to prepare a "hot" meal. I understood, is during the days of my youth we depended more on the community than we do now. We didn’t have to seek aid from the government, the community itself was self-sufficient. SO the science behind the free programs of the late 60s -70s proved to be a great strategy to the nurturing of this young mind. I recently got a chance to meet Elaine Brown. I got a chance to thank her for her contributions specifically in Oakland.

My mother Diana Robinson is my role model also for sure. When I think of my mother and her dedication to raising me, I get very overwhelmed with gratitude. She made sure she protected me, helped instill in me strong work ethic, integrity, and has always validated my role in this life. She knew I was a special child, and she has always treated me as such. It’s funny sometimes when I think of friends who were not loved as children. I can truly say , “love” is not something that I was deprived of.

Emani: My favorite inspirational quote is from the Honorable Noble Drew Ali, Founder of the Moorish Science Temple , “ Give Love without demanding love in return”. This principle has proved to be very challenging for me. It is not something I have mastered. I know it is a life changing concept if all of Humanity practiced. For now, I will diligently work on myself for it starts with the woman I see in the mirror.

ymib: Any additional comments or advice for our Circle Sisters?

Emani: I would advise my beautiful sisters to strive, strive, strive! Unite with our Sisters and strive. Strive for issue that help both Humanity (Global warming, Sex education, etc), and to ourselves (Mammograms, fertility, and marriage). Take responsible for all your goals in life. Make a plan and work towards it! Do not deviate from your goals. Realize that it is you who is responsible for backing up your intention with action…….It is “you” that will determine your own destiny. It is you who will be known for the deeds you establish in your life. You are in the only one who can establish your Legacy. We all have to be Proactive~