Yewande

OTHER WEB SITES
Want more music, news, tour schedule and now educational, cultural programming, then be sure to visit me at the following sites:
www.yewande.com
www.cdbaby.com/yewande
www.changerocksfoundation.com
www.myspace.com/changerocksfoundation
www.changerocksinstitute.com
What's up, Myspacers! I just wrapped up a national 30-college tour with my lecture, "Bridging the Gap: Rhythms, Rhymes and Race in America", a couple of days ago. From the sunny coast of Florida to the snowbound roads of upstate New York it was quite a rollercoaster, but my heart is still filled with memories of yet another interesting chapter in my life. This is my fourth year touring internationally and whether performing in 20,000 seat arenas, European clubs, for the Amish in mountains of Pennsylvania or the remote villages of Africa, the road never gets boring. I'm continually inspired by the stories of the people I meet and the incredible history of the places I've been. To heal a heart, touch a soul, inspire a dream, to change how we look at ourselves and each other is the chance of a lifetime and one that I don't take lightly. You may never see my name in lights, but it's because of you that I have the courage to do what I do....to somehow change the world.
MY STORY
For those who've visited me before, you'll notice that my page has undergone a bit of a facelift. For those who are new to the scene, here's the Cliffnotes version of my little life...I'm an Alternative Soul singer-songwriter, producer, lecturer, motivational speaker and cultural activist. Like so many frustrated artists who actually have something to say, I quickly became disenchanted with the role that so many record labels wanted me to play...you know the one - seductress and all around booty shakin' "ho", so I decided to launch my own record label. Since launching Lotus Records in 2003, I've been blessed to perform with everyone from Black Eyed Peas and Maroon 5 to Enrique Iglesias and Sean Paul, performed on B.E.T.'s "106th & Park", the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and recently made my MTV Dance debut at the 2007 Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi, Africa. As a child, I was a complete introvert who spent most of her days in the closet (literally) reading Langston Hughes poetry and books about Josephine Baker, Nat Turner and Frederick Douglass dreaming of how I too, could one day touch the lives of others the way their stories had transformed mine. Throughout most of my adolesence I had bad hair, bad make up, was NEVER part of the "in-crowd" (I know....sad, but true). I studied classical voice and piano with business at Carnegie Mellon University's Conservatory of Music and Howard University (but please don't ever ask me to play the piano, 'cause I probably won't). And many moons ago, I was one of the replacements for Universal Records' girl-group, Pure Soul ("We Must Be in Love")....yeah, you know the ones. Yet I digress!
THE CALLING
Ya'll can read my whole life's story at www.yewande.com when you have nothing better to do and dare I forget to promote my EP, "Evolution", which you can purchase through CDBaby.com...but what I really, really want to tell you about is what I truly believe is my life's greatest work. Upon launching my record label, I stumbled into the college market simply in search of another means to market my music. Little did I know what serious issues awaited me on the minds and hearts of some of my youngest listeners. After nearly every concert, I was overwhelmed with questions about racism, prejudice, gender identity, self-image, life long dreams and other deeply personal obstacles. Calling upon my experience as a former Director of Outreach Programs for a non-profit performing arts center and Marketing Manager for a major cable television network, I was inspired to create programming that would encourage greater racial tolerance, cultural understanding and youth empowerment through the one thing that had always brought my diverse audiences together.....music. This calling took form as the Change Rocks Institute where I produce educational programming which includes a motivational workshop, diversity seminar, music masterclass and multicultural lecture on American music and popular culture. For four years in a row, my programs have won national collegiate programming awards including APCA's 2004 "Best Solo Artist", Mountain Dew's 2005 "Top 12 College Acts", APCA's 2006 "Best Solo Artist" Nominee and 2007 "Best Diversity Event" for my lecture, "Bridging the Gap: Rhythms, Rhymes and Race in America."
THE ANSWER
Since returning to my programming roots, I've also been investing much of my energy in the global initiatives of my non-profit organization, The Change Rocks Foundation. It was during my first humanitarian trip to Malawi, Africa in the summer of 2006 when I headlined the Malawi Lake of Stars Festival and had the opportunity to teach music to two groups of incredible HIV/AIDS orphans in the local villages with Children in the Wilderness and lecture at the University of Malawi. Yes, THAT Malawi, the birthplace of Madonna's adopted son, but ya'll know who was there FIRST, right? Although Malawi is home to some of the warmest people I've ever encountered, their struggle to overcome the adverse affects of having the 3rd highest rate of AIDS in the world is overwhelming! Poverty, poor education, inadequate healthcare and antiquated cultural practices, are just some of the challenges facing the survivors of this devestating disease. But there was another wound that couldn't be ingnored....what about the dreams of Malawi's future leaders? During my time with these incredible children, I was not only inspired by their courage and strength, but witness to a miraculous transformation that took place when we began to sing and dance. In the midst of horrific poverty, was it really possible that music had the power to heal? The truth was clear, but what was the answer? I vowed to return within one year with a solution that could somehow make a difference in the lives of Africa's children. And now, one year later, the American Embassy has partnered with my non-profit organization, The Change Rocks Foundation, to teach music, lecture and direct my self-written musical starring these incredible children who's dreams and childhood have been taken away. They are only a handful of what will be nearly 20 million orphans by the year 2010. No doubt, their stories of abuse, rape, abandonment, trafficking and even running their own households as early as the age of 6 are beyond comprehension. But their dreams....are as real as you and me. Want to know more about how the story unfolds and how YOU can get involved in this movement of change? Then please don't wait another minute....visit us at our new myspace page (below) and be sure to tell all of your friends. Don't worry, I'll still be rockin' the live stage and college circuit whenever I can (nothing could keep me from it), but will be focusing more of my energy towards community-based programs, from the U. S. to Africa, for the ones who need it most. Together....we CAN make a change!
As always, we are eternally grateful for your support. None of this would be possible without YOU!