Art & Poetry

Shout-out to David Walton: Choosing Peace, Love, and Mother Earth

David “Hummingbird”Walton is a peace and love troubadour whose music brings joy worldwide. In this time of challenging upheavals, his music becomes a lighthouse for affirming the best of us and for our planet.  Walton has recently released a CD, which is a culmination of his spirit-filled music….

Timeless Art of James Adair

How can you meet people on a flight and feel as if you have known them for years?   Indeed my connection with the Adairs was instant and special.  I learned that Pat, originally from Guyana, had family in Barbados and that James was originally from Atlanta, GA.  They…

Diversity of Fred Odie

Since “choice” is the operative word here, I must introduce you to artist, Fred Odie.  I met him at a collective gallery/booth in the quaint local shopping center in Holetown, Barbados. Actually, I met his beautiful wife, Donna, a jewelry artisan, at an earlier date, but I was…

Tavare Hill: Inspired

When speaking with Tavare Hill, I quickly learned that his family is his inspiration.  His work illuminates his influences and the reflections of his life. Hill recently lost his mother, Gail Byrd, and he gives testimony that she was his “wick” of inspiration. Hill has a daughter and…

Malachi-Allen

  One hundred percent toasted rye bread. That is your complexion etched in my memory. Your eyes are teaspoons of full cream milk with chocolate coins floating in them. I remember thinking before, as I clung to your neck that you must be made Of some other substance…

Bernie Basley: California Dreamin’

  – Bernie Basley Bernie loves to take pictures.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree in TV Production from Columbia College Chicago, but now lives in LA.  Bernie has worked extensively in TV production including ABC Television Network where he served as the Associate Director and Stage Manager from 1979-2001….

Mary Katherine Murphy

  Mary Katherine Murphy sings, plays, acts, and models, and whatever she is performing, it  is with the soul of a woman whose heart is part of the Singing River. This is the same Singing River that drives the Muscle Shoals Sound, and Murphy is a part of…

Candid Conversation: Half Minute Horror

Born out of collaboration between Keith Sims and Tashina Southard, Half Minute Horror began as a way to continually produce work. It embraces moments of terror and challenges writers, directors, and editors with storytelling under extreme time constraints. Just as the title suggests, their horror films are thirty…

“Catalyze – Revitalize – Transform!”

I remember Jihad S. Rashid. He was one of the twin brothers that lived around the corner from me in Englewood, a Chicago community. I remember his smile. Even then, Rashid had a positive aura. While connecting  some 40+ years later, we reminisced about the beauty of community…

If I were Wise…

If I were Wise… I would say that today is simply the best day of my life without giving any thought to what could happen. If I were Wise… I would see myself with the eyes of God and swell with pride when I look upon every scar…