Nana Camille Yarbrough is an award-winning artist, author, and activist. With a career that spans over sixty years, Nana Camille has inspired countless children and adults with her positive energy and teachings that encompass Ancient African history, our American experience, as well as the present day political and cultural scene. Nana Camille has lived and seen much in her vibrant 83 years and continues to educate, empower, and enrich us. Her "Cornrows" book won the Coretta Scott King Book Award and it focuses on the history as well as the symbolic significance of cornrows. Her infectious, sentimental, and African-diaspora linking "Family Forever" theme song has been a staple at family reunions and cultural events for many years. In 1975, Nana Camille's "The Iron Pot Cooker" album included the powerful "Take Yo' Praise" and, in 1999, techno musician Fatboy Slim sampled it as "Praise You," which became a huge hit and many don't know she was the originator of it.
Because she is well rounded, reasonable, inclusive - and current - it is easy to understand why she attracts all ages: “It’s not the job of the elders to tell our youth which road to take. It is our job to show them the light of knowledge and they will find their own way. That’s what we have to do.”
On the need for our youth to have a support system, she feels that "right now, because of what we see around us, on video, or whatever, in the media, it’s not deep and we are a deep people.We ain’t no chump change people and our children need to know that.”
From her 1971 New York Times piece: "Hold up the mirror that reflects our true image. The strengths and weakness, the hows, the whys. Strip us of the grotesque and vulgar costumes which distort our Africanisms. Cleanse us with the purifying knowledge of our ancient and glorious existence on this planet. Wipe us clean of all self-hatred, then clothe us in the robes of knowledge, creativity, wisdom, and the communal spirit of our ancestors."
Nana Camille shares much with us in this E2E Lucky 13 podcast so please listen, learn, enjoy, and share. With Dick Gregory's transition within the last 24 hours, we MUST cherish (and appreciate) our elders, what they have done, and what they offer. We.Must.Cherish.Our.Elders.
https://theblacklist.net/
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