— Musical Ambassador – – Performer & Writer – – Artist Development Diva / Consultant –
	Gifted performer, anointed speaker, talented teacher and coach… Blackman’s resume is incomparable.
	A one of a kind world traveler, her visionary thinking gave birth to the Freestyle Union Cipher Workshop, it’s groundbreaking initiative “I Rhyme Like a Girl,” and her own brand of laid-back hip-hop soul…her music is decidedly “grown”. Bienvenue! Welcome to ToniBlackman.com…

Toni’s Thoughts

Dream of doing spoken word, an open mic, a slam? Get Coaching!

Make 2009 the year that you honor the artist within. Bring your writing and meet with a master coach in poetry interpretation, public speaking and rap lyricism. • Identify your own style • Learn ... (read more)

Are You An MC? Rapper? Want To Seriously Build Your Skills? Get Coaching

An MC? Rapper? Want To Seriously Build Your Skills? Get Coaching! Make 2009 the year that you respect your potential as a rap lyricist. • Identify your own style • Command the stage • Spit with co... (read more)

The Impermanence of Life

Nudged awake at 4:30am, I rolled over, got up, blanketed myself with my robe and sat at the computer. Over the past week, three dear friends have seen their grandmother, father and mother transition.... (read more)

LIVE THROUGH THIS: On Creativity and Self-Destruction NEW ANTHOLOGY

I have a prose piece in this new anthology--Edited by Sabrina Chapadjiev, with contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Ca... (read more)

No Doubt, No Fear: Going ’there’

The darkness of the morning whispers secrets into my ear. Deep breathing and meditation can sometimes block out the sounds and I am able to return to sleep. At other times, I am at the mercy of the ... (read more)

Sunshine in my Rain...

I like feeling good. I believe most people like feeling good, but why do we resist it so much? Why do we choose worry over peace? Why do we choose cynicism over optimism? Why do we choose to focus... (read more)

Change

There is an old saying that the only things certain about life are birth and death. I would add one more certainty: Change. As we start another year we are changing from 2007 to 2008, changing old h... (read more)

The Early Morning Breeze Has A Secret to Tell You

I rolled over at 5:45am. In my mind I counted the hours of sleep. As I did the math in my head I wondered if it was enough to sustain me through teaching two classes this afternoon. However, once m... (read more)

Congo (www.thelyricalembassy.blogpsot.com)

All right.  Peep the blog from the trip to Democratic Republic of the Congo at www.thelyricalembassy.blogspot.com.... (read more)

Headed to the Congo...the day after Thanksgiving

So I'm headed to the Congo and entering the next phase of my journey. It's Thanksgiving and I spent the day running errands and packing. I'm not one to get into celebrating the holiday. I have my o... (read more)