Celebrating Our Differences
“I acknowledge and swear to the spirits of our ancestors that I, Kojo-Achampong, will never disgrace you, my Ashanti people, or Black people, no matter where I go, or what I am called upon to do.” – Curtis James Morrow, (Kojo-Achampong), in My Sankofa Kojo Acheampong was the…
In the beginning, back when I epitomized what loneliness meant, Meeting you seemed preordained, as if you were heaven sent. Out of my personal darkness, something in you brought light. And I truly believed there would be happiness every day and night. In the beginning, it seemed…
Upon, walking up the steep narrow stairway that leads to Asha’s Attic you are greeted with an oversized children’s book titled Asha’s Attic and a handcrafted sign created by the owner to let you know you’ve arrived to the most original resale shop in Chicago. The attic, as…
“Craig Applegarth is an inspired Photographer with an eye for the exquisite beauty in his native surroundings in Florence, Al., and beyond. Craig adapted photography as his main hobby after several long years of struggling with alcohol- addiction and recovery. After a spiritual awakening and sobriety, Craig discovered…
When people find out I’m a writer, or they finally meet me, an inordinate amount of people tell me they want to write a book, or they have a book in them, but they don’t have the time. I smile, trying not to grimace because the typical person…
I was invited to speak at Unity Church of Chattanooga. Preceding me, a young man entered the mic at with a prayer. This prayer took me Home to a place where I would enter into an affirmation of what life might be through listening to this voice/these words. …
Just south of Memphis, I start receiving waves from strangers. I’m in a different world,far removed from urban dangers. Now I’m looking at the billboards advertising local greasepits. And I’m hit with a sudden craving for fried catfish and grits. I roll down the windows to catch that…
Her Chicago kitchen smells like the warmth and glow of family, and her home studio reflects the precious time spent cultivating each piece of her jewelry. It is creatively designed. Karen Gill has created a bit of heaven with a whimsical flair, but she takes the craftsmanship of…
Freedom is My family Coming over On boats To try And die In a place Where opportunity Is more important than Survivability. Freedom is The bra burners The sitters The marchers The ones who Got raped Got killed So that I Can stand in A booth…
Derrick Charles is always at work. Whether painting, creating a mural, or providing visual art for jazz or Spoken Word, he is giving Chicago a heartbeat. Born in Chicago, Charles studied at the International Academy of Merchandise and Design in Commercial Arts, but is mostly self-taught. His works…