Interview: Sean C. Johnson

The great thing about Sean C. Johnson, outside of being faithful to his God, is his ability to be funny.  He is a very fun guy to be around.  His heart is for the people he is around.  It was fun having this opportunity to interview Sean.  We asked him several question all over the board.  Have fun with this interview and come check Sean out on July 25th at Java Dave’s (10 N.E. 10th St in Oklahoma City).  You will need QuickTime (it’s free) to view the footage.

for my sneaker heads

Keep you updated on the latest Jordan sneakers coming available in March. Stay fresh!

via katc

We Tell Stories Poetry Night: March 27th

March 27, 2010 We Tell Stories Poetry Night

* House Band
* Featured Musical Guest -Kamikazee
* Special Guest – Patrice Mckaufman
* Open Mic Poets
* Location – Java Dave’s (10 NE 10th St OKC)
* Doors Open – 8:03p
* Cover – $8

Interview with Poet Amena Brown

We deeply appreciate Amena granting us the opportunity to interview her. We asked her about doing the interview at an event she did here in Oklahoma City. Her performance was powerful.

Thanks to Sean Johnson for handling the interview.

Sean Johnson: How did poetry become your platform?

Amena Brown: I’ve always loved writing poems. I started writing poetry pretty regularly at around 12 years old. I don’t know that I ever thought of it as a platform, but it’s something I love to do. When I was in my freshman year of college and went to my first real open mic at Moorepics in Atlanta, I felt like people crowded into poetry events because they were looking for the truth. I believed then and still believe now that spoken word is a great vehicle to express the truth of who God really is.

SJ: Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote? Quote your favorite line from it.

AB: Oh man, the first poem I ever wrote was about Dr. King in the fourth grade. Don’t remember that one. But the first performance piece I ever wrote was called “Chocolate Mista.” Definitely wrote that after watching the movie Love Jones. lol My favorite line was, his eyes and my eyes/they met like the sun and the moon exchanging high fives/Just before it is the moon’s time to shine. I literally had to dig through some files to find that one!

SJ: If you had $5 to your name, what would you spend it on?

AB: Probably gas and/or some bargain food at Kroger or Wal-Mart. I have had to learn to shop on just a little bit of cash. lol

SJ: Describe what comes to mind when I say…“Calvary”?

AB: Splintered cross. Pain. Rejection. Jesus. Saving. Grace. Love. Undeserved.

SJ: How in the world do you remember ALL of those words when you perform live?

AB: Truthfully, nine times out of ten, I don’t. (Laughing) Most of the time I forget something but the good thing about performing poetry is that it’s not a song. No one knows it word for word to recognize if I leave out a line or totally forgot a section. This happens nearly every time I perform. (laughing) The rhythm of the piece plus handwriting each one helps me to remember most of it. Sometimes I’m closing my eyes to remember a line from a section by picturing the paper I wrote the poem on.

SJ: What are your major influences when it comes to writing poetry?

AB: I write to jazz music, specifically John Coltrane and Miles Davis. I write to their music a lot as well as hip hop. Some of my rhythm and word choice comes from my love of hip hop style of writing. Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, The Pharcyde, Andre 3000, and Cee-lo Green are several of the emcees whose writing I really admire. Some poets I love and was definitely influenced by are Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez and William Carlos Williams. There are two preaching women I watched growing up and now looking back on it, I think they really influenced how I carry myself on stage: Dr. Claudette Copeland (co-pastor of the church I grew up, New Creation Christian Fellowship) and Dr. Cynthia James.

SJ: Finish this sentence – in 2 and Half years time I hope to be________?

AB: Finished writing a book. A home owner. Host an event or series of events that brings artists and art lovers from diverse backgrounds together.

SJ: What are your three most favorite words in the English language? Why?

AB: Creativity, because for me it is essential to life. Soul, because it reminds of good music. Pen, because i have to have one. Can’t leave home without it. lol

SJ: Did OJ (Simpson) do it?

AB: Man, I’m not even gonna touch that one. lol

SJ: Alright, now to test your skills – can you freestyle a short poem referencing apples, baby
ducks, and Fruit Roll-Ups? (I’m laughing)

AB: First of all, I don’t freestyle. It will take me FOREVER to write this as it does the rest of the poems. (Laughing)

elementary school taught me a few things
1. know what your worth
never trade a strawberry fruit roll-up for anything less than strawberry gushers
don’t settle for anything less
2. trade up
if an apple will be traded up for say a pack of chips ahoy,
it must be paired with say pringles or ridged lay’s chips in ziploc bag
learn to negotiate
3. story time
there was once a baby duck who consider himself ugly
turns out he wasn’t an ugly duckling
he just needed to discover who he really was…a swan
always be yourself, just like God made you

That definitely took me twenty minutes to write. Sigh. (Laughing)

Visit Amena Brown at amenabrown.com and you can also catch her on Twitter at twitter.com/amenabee.

Heart & Soul Event

Heart & Soul Couples Event 2010

Mark your calendar to join us
March 26 – 27
The Marriott Hotel, Oklahoma City

Friday, March 26, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Banquet
Overview of relationship strengthening skills to be presented Saturday
CD release and performance by Rob & Brittany Clay
Swing dancing exhibition and lessons with Wayland and Cree Cubit
Saturday, March 27 workshop -
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch provided
This free event is tailored for African American couples and provides them with precious, valuable time together. And while you’re having a great time, you will learn how to improve communication, keep the spark alive, and strengthen commitment in your relationship!

To register, call Kristin at (405) 848-4046 or (877) 435-8033.
A special room rate will be available to Heart & Soul attendees who would like to stay at the hotel. Call the Marriott Hotel at (405) 842-6633 by March 1 and ask for the Heart & Soul room block.

Heady Chats with his Father: In Search of the Truth

When I visited my father this past Christmas, I thought it would be an excellent time to chat with him about his book In Search of the Truth detailing some of his mishaps earlier in his life as a young attorney at Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach. The book was an eye opener for me when I first read it. It isn’t easy experiencing my father go to prison; however, it is a great experience when your father allows for his mishaps to be used as learning experiences for all the world. With that being said, I hope after reading this interview I did with my father, you will purchase the book. The book is excellent, definitely movie worthy.

Heady: What inspired the book?

Anderson Hill: I was inspired to write the book because I mistakenly thought that my life would be much different from where I find myself today. Things changed from the way I thought it would be, and because of that, I wanted to find my true calling in life. By Divine Inspiration, I learned that the experiences in the book can be used to help other people, recognize and deal with various situations and friends.

Heady: Why the title In Search of the Truth?

Andy: The primary title “In Search of the Truth” was created from the need to find out what is the truth. This regards finding the truthful side in your self and in other people. We all can be truthful and bare the facts when it does not affect our “core being”. When one’s core being is affected, then it takes great fortitude and spiritual guidance to see the truth.

The subtitle: A real life story about what an attorney should not do! This was created to capture the fact that I cannot tell everyone what they can do in their lives, but I surely can tell you what NOT to do in your life…the book is filled with instances of confusion and greed.

Heady: Who did you write this book for?

Andy: The book is written for all persons. It is geared towards people faced with choices and critical decisions which will affect the rest of their lives. I have been fortunate enough to lecture in Ethic classes in law schools, public schools, churches and many other places. People have received the story well and like the courage it takes to place self in the mirror for others to see and comment. I want this book to circulate throughout the world.

Heady: Was it a lengthy process putting the book together?

Andy: The process of the developing and writing the book took 3 years from start to finish. The reason it took that long was the research and assembly of poetry, narrative and supporting documentation. I wanted people to know that this was not an exaggeration of facts but truthful delivery of complicated circumstances.

Heady: What have you learned since writing this book?

Andy: I learned to love and respect all persons. I also learned that you cannot let people label, because they will. If you accept someone else’s character designation of who you are then you will live a life of confusion.

Heady: Was it challenging putting so much personal information in the book?

Andy: The disclosures I made in the book were very challenging. At one point in my life I held a top secret CIA security clearance. This meant that I was a pretty good citizen. In reality I had some serious problems and this led to mass confusion of who I really was as a Christian and a man.

Heady: Why should “everyday” people read the book?

Andy: This book will help people from all walks of life. I personally autographed and gave copies of the books to all ninth grade students at two major high schools in Central Florida. Many parents read it and contacted me about the inspiration they received and their sons and daughters.

Heady: Do you think you’ve found the truth?

Andy: I have found the truth through a mustard faith in Christ! If we have faith the size of a mustard seed the Bible says that we can move mountains! Our lives are mountains and we must move them toward Christ and helping other people.

Heady: Give an encouraging word to the students reading?

Andy: My favorite thought that kept me going through hard and difficult times was “quitting is just one step away from success because the very next step you take can end in success!”

Heady: Let’s end with this – what comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus?

Andy: Praise GOD and Glory Hallelujah for HE is worthy to be praised. If not for JESUS then where would I be, because what profit a person to gain the whole world and lose their soul!!! I deeply appreciate the opportunity to let all see who Anderson C. Hill, II, really is.

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of In Search of the Truth, you can email info@educationiscool.org. The profit from books purchased per this interview will be going towards funding Education is Cool…Get One.

Interview:Heady
Photography: Berny

Next Page »