Category Archives: awareness

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

To celebrate International Women’s Day and to kick off Women’s History Month, Concrete Loop is showcasing fearless and honorable women that have outstanding accomplishments in their chosen professions ranging from astronauts to authors. Kicking off Women’s History Month are two women that had truly out of this world achievements in the field of science and space.

Born on October 17, 1956 in Alabama, Mae C.Jemison was the youngest of three children and changed the course of history for women around the globe and beyond. After graduating from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois she went on to attend Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and an A.B. in African and Afro-American studies. Following her time at Stanford she went on to complete her medical doctorate at Cornell University in 1981. As a volunteer doctor in a Cambodian refuge camp and a medical officer in the West African Peace Corps it wasn’t until she was hand selected to start astronaut training that Dr. Jemison went on to become The first African American woman in space for an 8-day mission that was accomplished in 127 orbits of the Earth with groundbreaking experiments. Dr. Mae C. Jemison is fluent in Russian, Japanese and Swahili and is also a trained dancer and skilled in choreography. After leaving NASA in 1993 she went on to form The Jemison Group, Inc., a technology design and consulting company focusing on improving health standards practices in Africa and all over the world.

Ellen Ochoa was born on May 10, 1958 in Los Angeles and went on to receive her bachelor of science degree in physics from San Diego State University, a master of science degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University.Dr. Ochoa went on to become a pioneer of spacecraft technology leading to an invention patented in 1987 that was designed to detect imperfections in repeating patterns, forever changing the face of scientific technology. In 1991 Dr. Ochoa first left Earth to become the world’s first Hispanic female astronaut that has logged over 719 hours in space. Now the married mother of two is the Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Center and is also a classical flutist.

To find out how YOU can be the next woman in space or how to attend NASA Space Camp check out www.nasa.gov

( CREDITS: NASA )
Posted in CL HISTORY SPOTLIGHT, awareness Tagged ,

WHITE HOUSE: PRESIDENT OBAMA & MICHELLE OBAMA HONOR ARMED FORCES + VIDEO FROM THE EVENT

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama look amazing as they walk through the Cross Hall to the East Room of the White House on Wednesday (February 29) in Washington D.C. The presidential duo hosted a dinner to honor the Armed Forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, along with their families.

During his speech at the dinner (VIDEO IS BELOW), the President said:

“You taught us about duty. Blessed to live in the land of the free, you could have opted for an easier path. But you know that freedom is not free. Continue

Posted in COUPLED UP, WHITE HOUSE, awareness Tagged ,

AWARENESS / MUSIC VIDEO: JOHN LEGEND’s “WOKE UP THIS MORNING” FOR ‘SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION’ DOCUMENTARY

Grammy award winner John Legend contributed to the official soundtrack for a new civil rights documentary entitled Soundtrack For A Revolution. The documentary “tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music -the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality.”

Aside from archival footage and interviews from the Civil Rights movement and its leaders, Soundtrack For A Revolution features musical interpretations of freedom songs by some of today’s artists like Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, Anthony Hamilty and The Roots. Check out John Legend’s performance of the song, “Woke Up This Morning” in the video above.

Soundtrack For A Revolution was written & directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman. The official soundtrack can be found on iTunes and the upcoming screening dates are listed on the film’s official website: SOUNDTRACKFORAREVOLUTION.COM. Continue

Posted in MUSIC, VIDEOS, awareness Tagged

VIDEO: ‘A DREAMER’S DREAM’ (FEAT. BLAIR UNDERWOOD, TYRESE & JILL SCOTT)

In light of Black History Month, actor/singer Tyrese directed and produced an inspirational video called ‘A Dreamer’s Dream,’ where actor Blair Underwood prays to God but instead is answered by the late civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (voiced by Tyrese).

In his conversation with the reverend and his wife, Coretta Scott-King (voiced by Jill Scott), the Kings speak on the covenant of marriage, the importance of voting, and what we can all do today as a people to bring Dr. King’s dream to life. Listen to the interesting and inspiring conversation above.

Posted in VIDEOS, awareness Tagged , ,