Nathaniel Clark Smith

If you are interested in learning about a pioneer African American music educator in the United States, then you want to read the story of Nathaniel Clark Smith. Smith was a prolific and charismatic music educator, musician, and composer who lived during the early years of music education history in the United States. His formal training in music was on a military base in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Extended studies were from Guild Hall in London, England. A college graduate with B.M.A. and M.M degrees, Smith taught music in educational institutions and industries; was a world traveller who performed with the Ernest Hogan Minstrel Troupe; introduced the saxophone to African Americans; composed and published spirituals, marches, operatic songs, a suite, and an unfinished symphony; and hosted a radio broadcast show which was aired all over the Mid-West. He organized bands and out of that, orchestras, choirs, glee clubs and numerous combinations of the voice and instruments were developed. Smith captured the melodies of the countries that he visited in his music compositions.

During his illustrious career, Smith worked with Frederick Douglas, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Booker T. Washington, Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Milton Hinton, John Phillip Sousa, a young Charlie Parker, and others. His students from the Lincoln High School Band became the nucleus of the big band format of the Mid-West. His Pullman Porter musicians were able to perform at a moment’s notice.

Married with one daughter and the son of an African Sergeant Trumpeter and Indian mother, The Story of Nathaniel Clark Smith is a colourful reading of the times during abolition to the mid depression years in the United States. It is the story of an African-American who survived the challenges of the time to obtain a successful music career, and who helped people to better their lives through music in the Mid-Western and Southern African-American communities of the United States.

Never Take No for an Answer

Embarking on a new business venture can be a daunting and unpredictable journey, much like rolling the dice in a game of chance. In 1967, two bold young men, Les Marino and Kenny Anderson, fearlessly stepped into the world of Heavy Construction, boldly declaring that they would one day become the largest contracting firm in the world. Oblivious to the challenges that lay ahead, they hung their shingle on the door of a modest one-room office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, unaware that their audacious prediction might actually come true in the not-too-distant future. The path to success was far from a smooth highway; instead, it resembled a treacherous, winding trail through a dark and perilous jungle. Armed with perseverance, dedication, hard work, and humility, Les and Kenny navigated the obstacles, eventually finding their way to the proverbial yellow brick road and the success they had envisioned.

This book takes you on a captivating journey, detailing the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that shaped their remarkable story. Join them on this thrilling ride, but be sure to fasten your seatbelt securely, as the road ahead is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Discover how two determined individuals transformed their dream into reality, and learn valuable lessons that can be applied to your own entrepreneurial endeavors.

New Secrets for Success in an AI World

ACCELERATING CHANGE IS OUR FUTURE

This book examines the most pressing AI questions.

What are the risks associated with AI?

What is changing first: job displacement or job creation?

What are the most significant benefits of AI in the short and long term?

What is the timeline for AI-driven change?

Who will be affected most by AI changes in the world?

Who will be affected the least by AI?

What opportunities lie in future changes?

What does the future look like in the short, mid, and long term?

What are the most significant new evolving trends in AI?

What are some of the AI advancements in healthcare?

What are the secrets to future success in an AI world?

What is the next wave of AI start-ups?

What is the simplest way to monetize AI?

How is AI going to affect the financial system worldwide?

How will AI affect warfare worldwide?

How soon will we see AI personal companions?

What is augmented eternity?  

And much much more…

On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions

In his ground-breaking work The Confessions, Augustine of Hippo (AD 343-430), a prominent theologian and philosopher of early Christianity, paved the way for self-disclosure and the art of writing one’s life story. In On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions, Dr. Blom delves into Augustine’s role as both protagonist and reflective narrator, portraying him as Christianity’s original existential hero.

Blom draws parallels between Augustine’s journey and that of the wanton prodigal son, viewing Augustine’s address to God as the voice of an ‘everyday man’ struggling to find his way home – a spiritual homecoming. By masterfully weaving together Jungian archetypal psychology, mythology, biblical interpretations, and autobiography, Blom invites the reader to embark on a captivating journey that bridges the gap between Augustine’s musings and meditations from the fifth century and the present day.

On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions offers a fresh perspective on a timeless classic, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to explore the depths of the human soul and the enduring relevance of Augustine’s wisdom.

Our Forgotten Cultures

In the 1980s, Sasi finds herself playing the role of involuntary trailblazer, as the first Nepali woman to immigrate to her small community in Eastern Canada.

There is no guidebook on how to navigate life, identity, and motherhood in this strange new place. Nor is she prepared for the triple whammy of racism, sexism, and ageism that confronts her as she seeks to gain a footing in the workplace and society.

Weaving together personal recollections with those of family members, Sasi takes the reader on a journey that is strikingly honest, emotional, and ultimately hopeful.

Plantation Negroes of the 21st Century

Has the Black race been ostracized into a purgatory world where it is neither free nor enslaved and where the landscape looks remarkably like the Old Plantation?

Dr. Claud Anderson, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, says: "Black folks in proportional comparative terms are regressing. Blacks have been socially engineered into the lowest levels of life... and are now more hated than at any time in the last 50 years."

Dr. Anderson does not come right out and say that Blacks are still stationed near the Old Plantation, but he comes awfully close...

The road that has led the Black race to this perilous moment in time leads us back to a host of villains. The White ones we all know about, the Black ones, Negroes, who prey on their fellow Black sufferers, we conveniently choose to forget about-those House Negroes, that Malcolm X warned us about?

This book will name and shame... the Plantation Negroes of the 21^st Century.

Positive Thinking As a Way of Life

Penned with a profound desire to aid individuals grappling with mental hurdles like depression, dwindling motivation, and self-assurance, this book serves as a companion in your journey towards self-betterment. Through its affirming lines and a special emphasis on the EODs - daily nuggets of positivity, the author aspires to instill a renewed sense of self-worth, nudging you to stand tall, gradually bolstering your confidence and self-esteem with each passing day.

In the face of today’s global adversities, the narrative underscores the essence of daily self-care, urging not only personal adherence but also the encouragement of loved ones to embrace this nurturing practice. It is a clarion call for humanity to not merely endure, but to flourish and thrive, making the most of our everyday lives.

Power Spiritual Stories

These one hundred stories, born from three decades of spiritual pursuit, were chosen for their profound impact. Stories can be life-changing. It is often said that the shortest distance between a human being and truth is a story. In a world filled with untruths, stories help us discern what to believe. They allow us to explore different thoughts, perceptions, and actions, encouraging us to adopt new attitudes and choices. They provide a new way to interact with the world and others. These stories possess a power beyond words, connecting deeply with the brain and touching the soul. They carry messages from God that illuminate darkness and bring transformation. Stories can shift our paradigms, stimulate new perspectives, and help us transcend the physical to go beyond apparent facts.

Promises Kept

Promises Kept transcends the typical art book, melding elements of autobiography, biography, and regional cultural history into a profound exploration of artistic meaning. Its unveiling has the potential to quietly, insistently, prompt a re-examination of Newfoundland Labrador’s (NL) cultural and artistic landscape.

At the symbolic heart of this contemplative volume, but holding out in Scott Fillier’s private back garden is an artist’s easel in steel, being slowly oxidised by the elements. Gifted him in 1998, the easel became less utilitarian and more a sculptural experience as it filtered the artist’s newly adopted Ontario landscape qualities through its brutally forged angles and joints.

In a moment of profound inspiration, c. 2000, Fillière draped the easel with a single link of rusting chain, elevating it instantly into austere metaphor, projecting something of the artist’s own Prometheus Bound fate, while retaining artistic commitments: promises faithfully fulfilled, wherever/whatever the circumstance.

Psalms: A Journey of Faith

In a heartfelt journey of faith, Psalms: A Journey of Faith by Dolores Wyckoff serves as a beacon of hope, encouragement, and strength. This collection of reflections, inspired by the Psalms, invites readers into a deep contemplation of their spiritual path, offering solace and inspiration along the way. Whether in moments of doubt or times of joy, Wyckoff’s writings affirm the ever-present love of God and His purposeful plan for each life. Trust in this journey to rekindle your faith and guide your heart toward the light of God’s unwavering promise.

Psychedelics: A Full Story

Psychedelics: A Full Story comprises an extensively researched discussion of the major psychedelics: LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), DMT (ayahuasca), MDMA (ecstasy), ibogaine, and ketamine, and examines their historical and unique aspects as well as the most recent research.

The colorful and controversial history of LSD is discussed from widespread and successful clinical use, little-know CIA projects, and serious personal exploration, to well-known controversial figures such as Timothy Leary. Reasons are examined for its sudden downfall from a position of esteem to one of fear and antipathy in the mind of the public.

This discussion ranges from the history of these psychedelics to their potentials for healing and spiritual development, from their use among indigenous cultures to current researchers, from psychedelic drug explorations to questions about mind and consciousness. It includes in-depth discussion of the potential of psychedelics to address several challenges facing us today including mental health disorders and addictions, the shrinking of our understanding of mind to the physical and chemical processes in the brain, and our difficulties dealing with death and dying. New and profound insights about the human mind emerging from psychedelic experience and research are discussed as well as exploration of transpersonal and spiritual experiences involving the nature, range, and depth of consciousness, the reality of spirit, and the nature of reality.

The story of psychedelics examines what recently has become an exciting new chapter. While their use was made illegal in the late 1960s and research ground to a halt, in the last few years there has been an explosion of psychedelic research primarily focused on the possibilities it holds for the treatment of mental illness and addiction.

Quiet Before the Storm

In The Quiet Before the Storm, witness the aftermath of nature’s fury and the resilience of the human spirit. This powerful visual and emotional journey explores the catastrophic aftermaths of hurricanes Ike and Michael, the devastating tornadoes in Garland, Texas (2016), Dallas, Texas (2019), and Mayfield, Kentucky (2021), and the record-breaking flash flood in Wimberley, Texas (2015).

As an Austin firefighter and Texas Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, I’ve captured the wreckage, miracles, and profound moments of despair and hope through my camera lens. This book is more than just photographs; it reflects on the interconnectedness of our lives and the forces of nature that shape them.

Each photograph, short story, and poem testifies to the enduring impact these events have had on me and the communities I serve. Amidst the devastation, there is beauty and resilience in the faces of those who rebuild their lives and the moments of kindness that emerge in the darkest times.

As you turn these pages, ponder the questions at the heart of our changing world. Is the increasing frequency and intensity of these disasters a result of global warming, human intervention, weather weapons, or ‘Acts of God’? While I may not have all the answers, I hope to spark conversations and inspire action to understand, prepare for, and mitigate the impact of the next rounds of storms.

Join me on this journey and find strength in the quiet before the storm, as we brace ourselves for the storms of weather and the chaos we face in our government.