— 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

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)

Summer so far....Cote d'Ivoire

This morning the sunrise completely passed me by. Lying awake from 2:45am to 4:30am, I read a book, I tossed and turned, I chomped on ice and actually took a phone call. It's summer, my favorite sea... (read more)

Quotations...(favorites)

"Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart."~ Seneca ~"A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view."~ Wilma Askinas ~ "When anger rises, think of the consequences."~ Confu... (read more)

The moonlight and me

August 19, 2006Not only is the anniversary of my birth fast approaching (i.e. my birthday), but the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the anniversary of 9-11, and the anniversary of my father's passin... (read more)