Patricia Neely-Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." The author states, "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. In my book I try to show that there is much is more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed. I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry, Prose and The Written Word."
SOUTHERN LIFE
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems
Shari Smothers works as a transcriptionist and freelance writer currently. Her entrepreneurial interests lie in writing, editing and website development. Writing is what she does for her health, and being paid for it is just practical.
Shari’s work experiences presented her with opportunities to write occasionally. Several years ago she decided to focus on writing and editing as her main selling tool to get jobs. She hasn’t looked back since.
You can find Shari ALL over the web via the following sites:
Take each letter of your first name, S-H-A-R-I and write a word that presents YOU. Sincere Hardworking Artistic Reliable Intuitive
What type of web copy do you write, and how did you get into that? I worked for years as an administrative assistant. Often, in those jobs, I would be asked or volunteer to write for them. Sometimes it would be to offer letters, acceptance letters, or ad copy for magazines or website publication. I was up for it all. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to make writing my focus in job searches.
Tell us about your site, BLOG ABOUT IT. What's its goal? The goal of this blog is to share things that I’ve learned while pursuing my professional goals. My hope is that it will be helpful to others. This is the place I write about working and living as a woman who writes in various genres.
According to BLOG ABOUT IT, you write not only for the web, but you also write print copy, poetry, essays, and more. What is it about the WORD that excites you the most? The WORD is how we communicate. If we didn’t have words, we’d only have pictures and gestures. You can’t even fall back on sign language because that is based on language–words. It’s thrilling to me to be able to communicate ideas, to share stories. While I love pictures, words allow for much more precision, more details in telling about something or some event. Words can entice you, can move you to tears of joy or of sorrow. Writing a story or an article is chiseling a statue from a marble block. And to be able to write of experiences, and bring people to where you are, is a profoundly rewarding thing.
Once, after I had read from my poetry, a woman said it was like I had talked with her before writing it. Another young girl couldn’t stop crying because I had put her in mind of her grandmother when she heard the poems about my grandmother. A lady once cried about a poem that I read to her group, but I had no tears when I wrote it. Her interpretation was astute and poignant and informed by what she brought to it. When people react to what I write, I know that I am connecting, and that is exciting.
You're walking down the street, looking and feeling fantastic; what's the song that plays in the background? Two songs pop into mind, the first is "I’m Grateful"; a close second is "It’s Gon' Be Nice," both by Yolanda Adams, from the album Day by Day. And some days, the second choice is in first position.
Do you find that many of the things you write about are intrinsically connected to you? Yes, easily, my creative writing is connected with me. With commercial writing, though, I try to connect with my subject in a personal way. It helps me to write authentically even when I’m not writing about me.
How important is social media to the promoting of your writing? I think social media is really powerful. I don’t use it regularly to promote my work so much as to socialize. When I do use it for my work, I see the difference in my traffic. For my next book, I will use it much more.
I’ve heard that mainstream publishers are advocating their writers join social media sites, naming Facebook and Twitter. The self-publishing company I used for my book also advocates using social media and provides offers to help you get set up on the sites. Like them, I respect the power of word-of-mouth and personal interactions.
Writers READ - who are three of your favorite writers and why? Lucille Clifton - poetry - Blessing the Boats is her collection of poetry that comes to mind. Her writing is simply profound. The short length of some of her poems can travel the depths of generations. From the collection, Study the Masters is a poem that draws me back to it time and again.
Billy Collins - poetry - The Art of Drowning is his collection of poetry that brought him to my attention. His writing is soothing in a different way. And the effect is similar. He writes things and commands my attention and I am present with his subject. A prime example would be Directions.
Kirk Byron Jones - inspiration - Holy Play: The Joyful Adventure of Unleashing Your Divine Spirit. Kirk’s writing is clear and expressive. His books are empowering because they put the ball in your court, so to speak. He reminds us in all of his books that we have the choice to do or not do, in most if not all of our life situations. Self-care is important to be able to present your best self to all that you do. And Dr. Jones and I have that belief in common.
What is one important thing you've learned through your writing life? One important lesson that surfaces often is that words have power. And wielding that power is a privilege best tempered by humility and gratitude.
What are some of your writing goals, and what are you doing now to achieve them? Goal 1: I’d like to put my poetry in the forefront of my writing. Toward that end, I am writing more and posting more on my blog. And, I’m actually pulling together pieces to publish in another collection.
Goal 2: Most of the writing that I do is uncredited, ghost writing, and parts of larger works. To build my portfolio, I am writing articles, based on things I’ve written.
Goal 3: Website development is also in my creative and professional arsenal. A website is actually a collection of instructions to say how a site should look and function and allow interaction. I enjoy writing the code.
I am customizing a new business site. The one that is live now, http://www.thewordmage.com, I built from scratch. It was fun and I like it, but my new site will be on a content management software [CMS] platform. It looks like the WordPress platform is the one I’m developing faster, although, I’m learning Joomla too which is another very popular CMS application.
For the months of June and July, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at how culture plays a role in writing. I have a great lineup of six writers, and up next is a writer I enjoy, one who finds herself entrenched within the Japanese culture: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga!
Midori Saito, a young woman, fresh from Japan and too independent for Japanese society, refuses to heed her mother’s advice that marrying a foreigner will bring her nothing but trouble. Turns out Mom was right and Midori is now suddenly on her own in San Francisco. Will she be able to find her American Dream and the perfect dessert?
When asked How important is it for you to integrate your cultural experiences into your writing, Tokunaga said, "As you can probably tell from my photograph, I am not Japanese. I’m Caucasian, was born in San Francisco, and my Japanese last name comes from my husband. Both my novels are about Japan and Japanese culture. When I took my first creative writing class many years ago, the teacher required us to complete three short stories in a semester. And all three that sprang out of me were about some aspect of Japanese culture. I didn’t plan it that way, but that’s what happened, and it made me realize how important this culture has been in my life.."
Come by AtBaP to read more about Tokunaga's appreciation of the Japanese culture and to learn about her next book coming this fall: Love in Translation!
ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
Conversations about Writing is a bi-monthly feature starring authors Shōn Bacon (editing guru) and Miki Starr Martin (graphic design guru) who share their thoughts on writing and their reviews on books!
For the premiere rap session of CAW, Shōn and Miki Starr in their freestyle conversational style, talk about what makes a "good" book and begin a discussion on character!
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SB: A "good book" is pretty subjective. There's no one type of a good book, but I believe that that there are "objective" components that are necessary to make a good book like strong characters, great action and dialogue, tight conflict, etc.
MSS: Not only that but a clear understanding on the part of the author is just as important to constructing a good book. An author with no true connection to the characters and the world which the author has created will read like formula fiction. Being that what makes a book "good" is indeed subjective, it's that connection and commitment that makes a good story great.
SB: I really like that response, Miki, and I totally agree. Author's connection with the project is vital. How do you, as an author, find those connections with the story and the characters?
MSS: I become the characters. They are not external beings for me. I am not an observer writing the things that I see. It's like acting. An actor/actress becomes the part that they are playing and so it becomes real for them. The emotions, the reactions, gestures...in the moment of telling the story, it IS my reality.
What is your recommended approach to the creation of characters?
SB: I dig that; I always have something that connects me to the characters. As far as approaching the creation of characters, I work on character dossiers. I create a folder for each character, and in that folder I have images of what the character looks like, the car he or she drives, the house the character lives in, siblings, parents, etc. I write up a dossier in which I look at things like where the character was JUST before the start of the story, fears, joys, memorable moments, morals, convictions, etc. Now these things I always do when I start a project in organization mode, meaning, when I set out to develop the work and its outline before writing. When the urge hits me to start writing the story without the dossiers, I oftentimes find myself coming BACK to develop the dossiers and get more inside the characters. How about you?
MSS: Wow... that's really cool. I can't say I'm quite THAT organized. I do create a file of sorts but mine could fit in one small folder! I make notes of things such as their full name, age, siblings, what sort of home they were raised in, some morals and convictions. I also like to write out where the characters were before the story began but I can't say I ever really stick with what's there.
It doesn't work for me to be too specific because the characters will not come to life until I write. At that point it's irrelevant who I wanted them to be, they are going to take shape how they see fit. Names change, descriptions altar, personalities shift. Fully formed characters appear who I had no idea even existed in my main character's life. It's almost as though they are real and are somewhere close by whispering their truths to me and my job is simply to record it. When I think back it's funny to me how little control I actually have over these so-called characters. None of them are who they were designed to be in my notes.
I assume this is true to some degree for every writer.
I do find that research is crucial in telling a good story. Even the smallest detail is Googled for accuracy. Laws, names of cities, cultural references...or dress styles, colors, movies. The more real everything is for me, the more it will feel real for the reader. If I don't believe it why should I think anyone else will.
How much does research play a role in your writing?
SB: You know, I do want to make one comment. Robert McKee, in his awesome book, STORY, makes a comment about this "moment" for writers, the moment in which characters unleash themselves and we as writers have NO control over it. He claims we DO have control; we may not fully know where characters are going as we sit before the page, but we do control whether the story continues, whether characters go where they go in the story. I prefer to believe McKee, LOL It takes away that "magic" writers think exist when they come to the page, but it gives them back their "mastering" of writing a good story.
NOW, having said that, lol, to answer your question, I don't do a lot of research unless absolutely necessary. If I'm doing a story on a subject I'm not too familiar with, then I do major research, but mostly, I do "life" research. I examine people - at grocery stores, in parking lots, in the drive thru, at the cafe - I read a lot of non-fiction to get people's depictions of their lives; I try to get more from real life as possible.
Come back in August when Shōn and Miki Starr continue their discussion on character and also review the book Make You Mine by Niobia Bryant!
Striving to establish a new flair to the term contemporary fiction, Ni’cola entered the literary scene with her debut self published novel, OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Establishing NCM Publishing, Ni’cola creates themes in her work revolving around situations that are a compulsive desire to see women overcome challenges. Her next novel THE APPETIZER will be released in 2010.
Ni'cola Mitchell is originally from Kingston, Jamaica; currently she resides in North Las Vegas with her two daughters, Destani and Diamond. She holds a B.S. in business management and is currently pursuing an MBA in health care management. When Ni'cola isn't writing, she loves to spend time with her family and volunteer as a mentor for youth activities.
At first glance, 27-year-old Dionni Stone, owner of Whatever You Like Entertainment seems to have what all black women desire: natural beauty, a successful business, and a beautiful black man on her side. Until…
Dionni has found the love of her life – once again – in a compromising situation. For Dionni, this is the final heart break. With the love and support of her family and friends, she concentrates on her business, and it’s there she meets new client, Xavier “Zay” Grey, an investment banker that hires her to plan a surprise graduation party for his baby sister. Timidly, Dionni begins to think she might have found “the one” for her, but a devastating secret finds her world once again shaken. It also finds her back in the arms of an unlikely man, and even more pain than even she could imagine.
Over and Over Again is a funny and sensual tale that weaves between lies and love, deceit and truth, teaching Dionni the ultimate meaning of what is honesty, passion, and friendship.
Click cover to order OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
The Interview
Fill in the blank: "To read OVER AND OVER AGAIN is likeriding the rollercoaster of life featuring the ups and downs of today’s urban relations. By the end of the book one will have a reality check with their own life situations."
What are THREE adjectives that best describe OVER AND OVER AGAIN?
Emotional, suspenseful, hilarious
What are THREE adjectives that best describe YOU?
Intelligent, beautiful, hard worker
As writer, what's one thing you loved the most about OVER AND OVER AGAIN?
The thing that I love the most is that I produced this myself. When I got my proof copy in the mail, I held it like it was a newborn baby. I still can’t believe that I did this all by myself. That feeling is what I love most about Over and Over Again.
How did the idea for OVER AND OVER AGAIN come about?
The idea for Over and Over Again came from sections of journals that I kept going for several years. I would take events from my life, family and friends and just jot them down.
A girlfriend of mine was reading through them and joked that I should put the entries into book form. I created the characters from people that I know or have met in my life. Some of my characters are a combination of attitudes and mannerisms of several people that I know evolved into one.
I took some real life experiences and let my imagination run wild.
NI'COLA: THE SOUNDTRACK. What are three tracks that would HAVE to make it onto the soundtrack of your life and why?
The first song would be Beauty by Dru Hill. I believe Beauty comes from the inside. I will do anything for anyone. I go the extra mile at all times. One thing that I am complimented on is how well I treat others. I believe those attributes is what makes a person beautiful.
The second would be No More Rain (In this cloud) by Angie Stone. Just like anyone else in life, I have been through a plethora of trials and tribulations. I had to decide that I was going to be stop letting life harbor me, and press forward. So I consider the cloud me and my life, and I had to learn to stop crying and start living up to the potential that I know that I have. I’m only half way there though. The storm tends to come, but I do not allow for the rain to develop.
The last song would be Queen of the Pack by Patra. Being from Jamaica, I know all about struggle. But I had to let people know that I am not accepting anything. The song compares life to a pack of cards. It basically states that I am telling you what I am about, and I am not going back on my word. What ever life brings, I will come out on top, and be the Queen of the pack. I make my own destiny, so you better watch out.
You're strutting down the street - not a care in the world, looking like a million bucks; what is your theme song and why?
My theme song would be Everyday I’m hustling by Rick Ross. The title speaks for itself.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I am a pantser. When I think about something, I follow through and complete it.
What are you doing to promote and market OVER AND OVER AGAIN?
I have several different campaigns running right now to promote Over and Over Again. I am doing interviews, I am on a multi city author tour, I have an online publicity campaign, Print/Mail campaign, e-blasting, and web marketing.
You are indie publishing OVER AND OVER AGAIN through your company NCM Publishing; did you attempt to publish through traditional publishing routes? If so, how was that journey?
Yes, I did attempt to publish through the traditional, but I am very impatient. By the time I began receiving feedback from a traditional publisher, I was already half way through with self-publishing.
I really have not had any major issues with self publishing. In fact, I believe that this was the best route for me. I prayed about it and jumped in head first. I know this is what I am supposed to be doing because everything has gone smoothly from day one.
What are three pieces of advice you would give to writers thinking about going into indie publishing? To be patient, work hard, and make sure that your product can hold its own with books in your sector being produced by a traditional publisher.
Word Association. What comes to mind when you see the following words: Over and Over Again: Rollercoaster Writing: Stress Reliever Dionni Stone: Strong Relationships: Indescribable Ni'Cola: Grinder
What projects are you currently working on?
Currently, I am working on my second novel The Appetizer, (When you are not his main course.) and my third novel Twisted which is the continuation of Over and Over Again.
You're the happiest woman on the planet because you are about to marry the love of your life: then tragedy strikes.
Imagine having to go on and live your life as if a huge part of you hasn't died and broken off. Imagine having a mind and a heart that can't let go of that love, that constantly replays precious, wondrous moments of absolute happiness. How do you go on? Can you really?
Erica N. Martin's novel Something Old Something New is a remembrance of love story that shows us through Audrey, the dedicated main character, that love never dies, and when it's real and when it's true, you will never lose it.
Martin does a good job pacing this story to its climactic ending with a nice twist, and what I enjoyed most of the story is the importance of love and memory. We all know the traditional love stories of boy meet girl, gets her, loses her, then gets her back; but this is a story that celebrates the sweet moments of a love story cut short but is determined to return.
If you want a story that reaffirms love, then definitely check out Martin's latest fare.
Click the cover to order your copy of Something Old Something New today!
It's hard being a young woman in today's world - just imagine what it would be like for a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who is thrust into the technologically-driven, "loose" world of the twenty-first century.
This is the initial setup of Laurie Viera Rigler's novel Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, a novel I highly enjoyed for its great main character, solid storytelling, and social commentary on women, independence, and love.
Rigler does an excellent job keeping the main character Jane Mansfield within her time and culture's speech, a difficult task when placed around the contemporary setting, people, and things that are 21st century L.A. It was that ability of Rigler's that kept me throughout the story, seeing little things like Jane marvel at the TV thinking it to be a window. I believed the main character, and I was willing to follow her throughout the story.
And this was a strong story, a coming-of-age (albeit, in another's body) story that explores the world in which a woman lives in and how she is to find her place in that world. No matter the time period, no matter the language barrier, a woman still needs to find her place, and Rigler does a fine job showing us that this idea crosses time and space.
I don't know how Rigler will top this novel, but I do look forward to seeing where her creative mind wanders next.
Click the cover to order your copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict today!
When reading a book, I love to be entertained; even more so, I love to be taught something, and while reading Tracey Michae'l Lewis' latest novel, INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine, I definitely received big helpings of both.
Crystal Justine is a young woman in a long line of women in her family to endure a devastating generational curse, a curse that finds the weakest part of the women to crush their spirit and kill them. CJ has a slew of issues, many of them stemming from the mother who succumbing to the curse, died when CJ was young. CJ, searching for a life that is all hers and all good, must battle for every good thing she wants, for evil refuses to allow her to be the interruption to stop the curse from coursing through her family's veins.
Aside from the story itself, which I really enjoyed, my favorite part of this story is its discussion (through literature) of "the generational curse." We are set for victory, but there are a lot of forces that don't want us to succeed, and sometimes, those forces go beyond dealing with a person one-on-one; it infiltrates an entire family, an entire bloodline for the sole purpose of completely obliterating that family.
Lewis' novel vividly shows us how these forces can use everything against you, to include your family, to break you down, but there can be victory if you keep your eye on God, keep your heart on what's true, and what your mind focused on what's right.
I look forward to seeing what Lewis can teach us with her next novel.
Click the cover to order your copy of INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine today!
A young, spiritually righteous woman, Faith Darling, must face the fact that you cannot escape from your family and the truth.
When Faith’s notorious great-grandmother, Miss Sunny Vincent, dies, Faith, as the only surviving relative, must arrange the funeral. However, Miss Sunny Vincent’s remains are hard to dispose of because God won’t have her and the Devil don’t want her.
I SO enjoyeed reading this story - Zetta has a great style, voice, and she quickly will bring you into the characters and story. Need a quickie treat during lunch break? Been working all day and need a little quick escape? Click the cover to order your copy of "Devil Don't Want Her" today!
Author Samara King has penned 8 novellas and 1 novel to her credit all within the African-American, Interracial, Multi-cultural erotic romance genres ranging from contemporary to paranormal and has added her passion for poetry into the mix. She strives and endorses diversity between the pages of her books and poetry.
Samara wrote her first love story in the 8th grade and has been addicted to romantic fiction every since. She lives in Chicago with her precocious son and indulges in people watching, dancing, singing, catching up on CSI and Ugly Betty.
Currently writes for Cobblestone Press, Loose Id, Changeling Press, Total E-Bound and will be adding the title of Publisher under her belt for herself publishing company, Eclectic Soul Press and her BlogTalkRadio segments; SoundNOff with co-host author Chamsil, which showcases Poets, Spoken Word artists and all spectrum of poetical prose and Tale It Like It Is, a spotlight feature presentation on authors.
What’s a woman to do when she discovers she used to be married to a spy? Cassidy Raleigh Sebastien has learned to live without her ex Gabriel, that is until he returns to New Orleans and sweeps back into her life one night during a masquerade party. She has no plans on letting Gabe see the desire that still makes her heart pound, especially when a mysterious stranger beats him to the punch. Gone are the days of playing spy for former agent, Gabe Sebastien. His only mission: to reconquer Cassidy’s heart and he’ll start with his own covert operation of seduction.
Click cover to order PULSE!
The Interview
Samara King is...an eclectic writer who pens novellas and novels all within the drama, light suspense and sensual fiction realm, which includes African-American, interracial, and multicultural fiction and poetry.
When I write...I transcend into Samara King and the description of all that is her. Fun, flirty and challenging. Throwing characters against others that will give them a rollercoaster ride.
When you crack open one of my books, I want...I want readers to get caught up in the characters and the tensions, joys and heat between them.
My favorite book (of mine) is...PULSEbecausethis novella actually took me as the writer and held me captive with the characters and the danger chasing them. Though short, the characters Cassidy and Gabriel are very memorable and so is their love story.
How important is it for a writer to connect, to resonate in her work? I think it’s vital! If I don’t feel I am connecting to a character or a story, then I can’t expect a reader to do the same. And if I am not connecting, something must change.
How important is it for a writer to "grow"...and what does growth mean to you as a writer? Growth is part of the writing journey in my opinion. My writing style now has varied from the work I currently have out – it has broaden which I believe readers will see from my upcoming works. Growth means always placing yourself in a position to learn.
You've moved into poetry over the last year, and I've had the pleasure of reading them - deep, powerful. What do you get from writing your poetic pieces? Poetry is a big part of who I am. The words come to me embedded with life experiences, passing thoughts. Poetry for me is born from every breath I take and I learn something different each time. It has helped me step outside my comfort zone and expose another level of my creative self.
Which piece resonates in you the most and why? I would say the poem I STAND. I wrote this poem on the tail of the great Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise. I STAND speaks to women overcoming and standing for their beliefs and goals. As a woman, the trials of standing are not always easy but must be done in order to accomplish your purpose in life and that’s a journey I’m currently on.
I STAND Maya said Still I Rise So I STAND Going after what’s rightfully mine in full demand. See if I don’t take action, if I don’t move What is it that I aim to prove? Too many times, I turned from higher ground Never making a sound Offering too readily a silent defeat Never lifting my feet Didn't take on that battle For less, I’d settle Forgetting of whom I belong Altering my internal song To somebody else’s tune Somebody else’s melody Hiding the real in me, being what someone else longed for me to be Triumphantly I say, No longer will I betray That inner call I will be the strong one Or none at all Maya said Still I Rise So I stand Knowing that no woman or man Will do what I can I come as each has been called Going beyond giving it my best, giving it my all Enthralled With the journey that is within me Inside me It blinds me That to which I could not see before That to which was so deep in my core Today is a new day Maya said Still I Rise So I STAND.
2008 SAMARA KING ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Erotic fiction, soul-stirring poetry - where do you see your words moving next? Actually, I’m not sure. I’m enjoying the new motley of my creative vibe right now and learning within its depths of the things I can create and diversify.
Where is SAMARA KING going? What projects are you currently involved in? Samara King is going everywhere! One day I’d like to write a script, but right now I’m concentrating on my novellas/novels and poetry. I currently am in the process of writing several novellas and one potential novel and a poetry collection titled The Ebony Kryptonite coming out this winter.
Recently inducted into the National Association for Professional Women, This angelic and poetic songstress comes by way of the Bronx, New York. Vibrant and complete in spirit she has been singing since the tender age of 4. Early on she shared notes with her mom and was influenced by the sounds of Anita Baker, Etta James, Faith Evans, Sam Cooke, Dianne Warren, David Foster and Patti Labelle. Furthering her passion to be a part of the musical universe she participated and tested her abilities in talent shows during her junior and high school years. Possessing a raw determination to get it done, she then proceeded to work on her talents and creating her own mold. As part of her determination to advance she has obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.
She made it an inner promise to accomplish her aspirations with the untimely departure of her Mother and this past June 2008 her Father, who both always inspired her through music. She has concentrated on her creative vision in songwriting and honing her craft as a vocalist. Well aware that it requires a relentless, dedicated approach in the music industry she has made every effort to elevate her momentum in anyway. She has managed to establish relationships with some reputable talents of today like Multi-talented Wyclef Jean and Producer Younglord with them providing her with feasible insight and direction.
Senyah has remained in the loop in anyway where it can provide her with some form of experience and development whether it is through vocal training to being an extra. In 1998, she actively partook as an extra in the movie “Stuart Little 2”, Marci X featuring Damon Wayans and KC and Jo-Jo’s “All My Life” video. She has also participated as a background vocalist for upcoming artist Mary C. She was most recently cast as “Emma Jackson” in the Off Broadway play “The Sanctuary” written, produced and directed by Anne L. Thompson Stretching. With understanding that one step has to be manifested at a time she also has aspirations on acting and doing the big screen in her career travels. Currently, Senyah is working on her self-written catalogue of music that she hopes to present and make a profound impact to the musical universe through it. She proclaims as a personal quote that “Nothing in life is free, hard work pays off and you must have complete Faith in yourself and in God. With that all things are possible”.
Through all of her personal struggles and experiences she founded the non-profit organization Determined to Educate, Inc. Founder and CEO, Senyah Baah has made a commitment to herself to help those who are less fortunate and need a helping hand. She was inspired by her parents Victoria (Adwoa) and Frank (Kwame) Baah, who have both been called by the Lord. She has promised to continue their legacy by believing in those and helping those to believe in themselves.
What is Determined to Educate? Listen to the commercial below!
What birthed the idea of Determined to Educate (DTE)? One day I sat at my computer at work and was thinking of all of the issues that people I knew had and even I had. Issues that bothered me and even caused people so much pain. It was a familiar song. There is so much selfishness going around and I said, “Wow, does anyone not care about anyone besides themselves?” Who wants to live like that when life is so precious and short. I wanted to do something or say something to have people recognize that this is not the way we should be living. I know I couldn’t change anyone, but I knew that I could have people thinking in better ways. Then I started typing subjects/issues that needed to be addressed on my computer. I wanted to see how the message could get across and I remembered how much I loved the t-shirts made by “School of the Hard Knocks”. Those shirts always had some kind of word or sentence that stood out to me.
Talk to us about Determined to Educate; what is its mission? Determined To Educate, Inc. was established to re-invent community. I walk the streets and see that there is no more community. People aren’t helping each other out and everyone is basically staying to themselves. I didn’t grow up like that. It bothers me to see that. I want this organization to bring back the importance of the old educating the young and the young helping the old. We have created two entities which are “Better Man University” and “Better Woman University”. We will be coming out with our third entity mid-summer called “Young Gift Academy” for children ages 22 and under. It’s an intergenerational concept.
What programs and services do you offer through DTE? We have developed an interactive website. The website is designed to interact with patrons who visit the site. There are a team of “professors” on the site that will give insight on issues that evolve in our communities. These “professors” are not accredited “professors” but “professors” that have lived through these issues. You as the patron will be able to ask a question, give a comment or tell a personal story after each lecture. We do not post derogatory comments. We are working to promote a positive state of mind. Right now to register patrons click on the “admissions” section on the top right corner of the page. We are currently working on the back end of the site so that people will be able to sign in with their email addresses.
I talked with you recently about DTE and your goals, and I love that this vision you have is community-based. We talked a lot about back in the day and how important it is to have that community involvement in an individual's life. Why do you think we have fallen away from that mentality? I bring the word “selfish” up again because that is indeed what some of us have become. We don’t remember that “Bernadine” on the 7th floor has 3 kids and is a single mom and may need help with the kids tonight because it gets overwhelming. We forget that “Mr. Jenkins” in the next building lost his wife a few years ago and may want company this afternoon just to talk about the old days or current events. Situations like that, we fail to look at. I feel its time we open our eyes.
Check out Cindy Senyah Baah on The Urban Wall Street Project!
Why do you think community involvement is so vital to this project? I feel that this organization can bring that “GOOD” part of life back into the community. You don’t need money to help your neighbor. All you need is time, patience, KNOWLEDGE and a smile. I know it’s not easy but it is possible. If we can’t come together in our own community and teach ourselves and others better ways of life, we are headed for destruction within ourselves. It’s a cold world out there.
How can people get involved in DTE? People can log on to the site and read the lectures that we are giving. We have already held a face to face Men’s forum for “Better Man University” and a face to face Women’s forum for “Better Woman University”. Beginning this winter we will be looking for volunteers. Those who wish to volunteer for different events that we have, there will be a posting on the site on how people can get involved on different projects coming up in Winter of 2009.
How do you plan to expand DTE in the future? We just had our First Annual Book Donation Drive benefiting senior citizens in nursing homes as well as children and adults rehibilating from physical sicknesses in Harlem, NY. We raised over 150 books! At the present time we are based in New York. I’d like to open up a facility in Harlem, NY where we can have more face to face forums and have programs for children. We are actually working on getting a couple of projects started for “Young Gift Academy”. I’d also like to expand to other parts of the country and eventually other parts of the world. We are working on having a one year anniversary fundraiser at the end of the year for Determined To Educate, Inc and much much more…so stay tuned Folks!!
Any last comments you'd like to make? I’d like to thank everyone that has been supporting the organization and the movement and welcome those who are unaware to log on to our website to find out more about us. Another special shout out to James Watson who designs our website. He does such a phenomenal job and gives great input to the organization. My COO, Donald Baah and brother for his amazing drive at such a young age, My staff and team of “Professors” that volunteer their time and words of wisdom. I would also like to thank everyone who attended/donated and those who helped at the Book Donation Drive and broke some sweat (Claudette, Grace, “Prof”, Shani Myers, Anthony, Janine, Rahman, Owen and family, “Prof”.Jaimie Jennings, Chris, Justice, Maia, Earl, Mali, Cathy, Kimmy, Niko, Jaquan, Sidelle. “Prof” Jai, Earl Christian III and Alan from The Urban Wall Street Project – Thanks so much for all the hard work, it paid off!!!) and a special thank You to our sponsors, Tonnie's Minis in New York, New York (West Village) and Absolutely Creative Advertising in Brooklyn, New York. We are going to have our apparel line coming soon where you can make a donation by buying a t-shirt or other Determined To Educate, Inc. accessories. Proceeds will go to the programs which we support. Let’s give back people! This time it’s real and it’s important.
And I finally I want to thank you, Shon, for all of your help, support and taking the time with me for this interview and getting the word out as much as you can!
Starting today, I am launching monthly podcasts via CLG Entertainment! Every first of the month, I will bring you The Write Life for You, writing and editing tips derived from my popular article series of the same name. Every fifteenth of the month, I will offer Once upon a time…, a place where I will flex my literary skills. Through poetry, faith pieces, excerpts from works in progress, and more, I will remind everyone why I am a true wordsmith.
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