It is no coincidence that this monumental Inauguration falls during the Martin Luther King national holiday. This holiday, in the 23 years since it has been instituted, as we see Dr.King's dream unfolding, I think we can agree has never been more significant.

2008 marked 40 years since King's assassination. In that year, so much was revealed about King; so many things were brought to light - about the man, his life, death, and legacy - that have been lost to mainstream media. I had the opportunity to watch a riveting 8 part video on Youtube about King's assassination, I had hoped to post it here but discovered that Youtube had removed the video, due to to some kind of "Terms of Use" violations. I do not know who created the documentary, but it absolutely dwarfed CNN's program, which aired last spring. If anyone knows anything about it, please drop me a line.

Michael Eric Dyson also published a book, April 4, 1968, which I have had the opportunity to read. It, too, offers amazing insight into the man, some of his innermost thoughts, his final moments and the impact of his death, as well as more than a few of Dyson's choice, creative vocabulary words.>>> Published by Haymarket Books, you can find out more about it HERE. I am thankful for the original Civil Rights activists who are still with us to witness and share this historic moment. If any of you are reading this - THANK YOU!

Michael Eric Dyson and I @ Hue-Man Bookstore, celebrating his book and mine.

mYYYY nEWS & eVENTS:

January 2008 - I am one of nineteen grateful grant-winners of the Harlem Community Arts Fund, awarded by Harlem Arts Alliance! Grant-winners will be honored at a celebration on January 26, 2009 @ The Shabazz Center, 3940 Broadway (bt. W. 165th & 166th Streets), 6:30-8:30pm. Visit www.harlemaa.org for more info. Thank you HAA for the vote of confidence in my art!

January 18 - March 30, 2009 - I have selected paintings currently on exhibit at Cafe One in Harlem: 1619 Amsterdam @ 140th Street, near City College. A small reception (in February) to be announced - please check back.

February 2008 - There will be a book signing @ Two Steps Down Restaurant in Brooklyn. Date to be announced. Come to Brooklyn and pick up a copy of my book! Visit ManifestingThings.com for more details.

February 2 - 28th, 2009 - I will have selected artwork in a Black History Month group exhibit, curated by Laura Gadson and presented by the Pemberton Society of Bank Street College. Reception info to come...

Spring 2009 - Lastly, The EVOLUTION exhibit was a big success, and I am looking to revive it the Spring - with a twist, of course! More details to come. This is the exhibit I had the opportunity to curate on behalf of artHARLEM at Columbia University, featuring the works of 25 amazing Harlem artists. Check out some of the press we received:

mORE eXCITING tHINGS 2 cOME!!!

All for now folks!

Thank you for joining me on this short ride!

Special thanks to contributors to this issue, and all the people who shared emails and images with me over the past several months: Craig Schley, Eduardo Alexander Rabel, Joseph A. Beasley, Fatima Faloye, Dream Hampton, Shrine of Ma'at International, and many more!

To find out more about my events, please check me out @ www.ManifestingThings.com and www.OmoMishaGallery.com or friend me up at Facebook! You can also find me on Myspace @ www.myspace.com/omo_misha & www.myspace.com/omomishamusic

I appreciate your stopping by!

Please hit me back with your comments: thetimes@omomisha.com

Peace&Luv,

Misha