#WESEEIT DAILY: JULY 16, 2018 – INFUZION THOUGHTS, GRIND-N-PRAYERS, THE CHI, MLK BRIDGE, RPS BATHROOM MAKEOVER

Peace Family! Happy Monday. I hope you had a blessed weekend. There are a few things on my mind as we start the week. First and foremost, my prayers go out to all of my connects, friends, and acquaintances, that represent the powerful “Grind-N-Pray” movement. I know Grind-N-Pray as nothing but a truly positive movement in our community: from the music, to the clothes, to the brand, to the people. My heart and prayers go out to the entire community. Love.

The Lead Off

What will happen following the quadrupole shooting, that left one man dead, Friday morning at Club and Lounge Infuzion in Scott’s Addition? I have lots of thoughts, of course, my heart goes out to the victims and their families, that’s first and foremost. But my next thought was a concern for Infuzion, one of the only hip-hop clubs in that area (I think it’s the only one in Scott’s Addition). Will they now become a target of the high-level scrutiny that only a club with majority black patrons can be subject too? Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t know Infuzions to have a track record of this type of violence, so I’m really curious what will happen over the next few weeks and months? When I heard the news, my thoughts turned to: Will Infuzion be subject to some sort of forced evacuation? Let’s face it, Scott’s Addition, “the upcoming neighborhood” that is a hub for new breweries and an influx of young professional patrons – I don’t know any of those breweries to be black-owned and the majority of their patrons who visit them are not black – may not want a hip-hop club and lounge in their “up and coming” mix. Now, this is just me thinking, I’m not accusing anyone of anything – it’s just me (and most black people with an understanding of history and the effects of redevelopment on any neighborhood). I’ll be watching what happens to Infuzion moving forward. I think you should pay close attention. Normally, the course to remove an “unwanted element” like a nightclub to an “up and coming” area, starts with noise and alcohol complaints and ends with violence. A quadruple shooting is horrible and I hope the neighborhood will rally around this establishment and situation like it would if it happened at Ardent or The Veil or Vasen.

Moving On:

On Friday, I checked out the progress on the mural at the MLK Bridge. Shout out to my guy Hamilton Glass. He is working with students this summer as a part of a camp to complete phase one of the mural. Exciting stuff! Check it out right over by MLK Preschool and Middle School.   Also, check out his work nearby the bridge at the Legacy Academy (the Richmond Cycling Corps) on 2123 Fairmount Ave. He made an amazing mural of young black men, challenging them to put education first.

MLK Bridge: Best view from the MLK preschool parking lot.

Legacy Academy: 2123 Fairmount Ave.

Moving On:

It’s true, I watch a lot of TV. I love a good series but until this weekend I’d never seen The Chi on Showtime. Season 1 is 10 episodes and if you’re dedicated, you can binge it in one day. It’s a good series with really good characters. I like the diversity of the characters and the multiple storylines. Not every series can follow a complex kid storyline and compelling adult storylines in the same show. HBO’s The Wire did it amazingly but not ever show can do it. The Chi is not The Wire, it’s not trying to be that, and let’s face it, The Wire is one of the best, if not, the best, well-executed, shows of all time, especially when it comes to capturing the essence of a city.  The Chi captures the storylines of the community well but, as it relates to Season 1, the stories didn’t have to be in Chicago, they could have been in most urban communities. I definitely recommend the show. It has great writing and a strong cast. I’m looking forward to binge-watching season 2.

Moving On:

RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras will be our featured guest on The Cheats Movement on WRIR tomorrow at 11 AM on 97.3 FM. We talk about his philosophy on education and the future of RPS. He recently announced a “Bathroom Blitz” to makeover RPS bathrooms. It’s an initial move to beautify RPS.

The Cheats Movement goes one-on-one with RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras. 

Finally:

VCU alumni team Ram Nation took care of business at the Sigel this weekend in the TBT and will move on to the round of 16 in Atlanta.

MLB all-star week really kicks off tonight with the Homerun Derby. I’m really surprised they played a full slate of MLB games yesterday. That’s crazy. Give those guys a break.

Until next time, #WESEEIT.