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.

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

The Story of a Poet: Kendal S. Turner

What’s good? This is Heady. Yep. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to give our online audience the opportunity to get the inside scoop with some of our favorite artists. I tracked down one of our favorite poets Kendal S. Turner. Let’s jump right into this one-on-one with Kendal.

HEADY: So, where are you originally from?

KENDAL: I am originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma

H: How long have you lived in Oklahoma City?

K: I have been living in Oklahoma City for about 4 years now.

H: Which do you like better? Lol… Be honest.

K: I LOVE Oklahoma City way better than Tulsa. It just seems like it’s not
as racially divided as Tulsa is and the people are way more friendlier I
must add.

H: You’re married. Tell us your favorite thing about your husband?

K: My most favorite thing about my hubby is hmmm (I’m thinking)
He wears his heart on his sleeve. I like that. Oh and he’s a good
father! Yea can’t forget that.

H: How many children?

K: Together we have 4 boys. I have 2 and he has 2.

H: So, you played a little basketball in high school? Where you any
good? Lol… Be honest.

K: Man I got a 3 point shot out of this world! But I suck in defense. Well
you said be honest. I can hoop with the best of them though.

H: What position did you play?

K: I played 2 guard. My main purpose in being on the court was to shoot 3’s
lol that’s it. Lol

H: Do you still play?

K: Yes I do still play. I played last winter for my church team but I
haven’t played in a league since. I’m actually looking for a good team
to get on.

H: Who is your favorite player in the NBA?

K: Michael Jordan! Who else man? Come on now.. lol

H: Let’s get down to business. How long have you been writing?

K: I’ve been writing professionally for about 2 1/2 years now.

H: Do you remember your first poem? Was it a Christian poem?

K: I don’t remember the first poem I wrote but I can tell you right now, NO
it was not Christian. Lol it wasn’t even remotely clean. Sorry

H: Has writing poetry helped you personally in any way?

K: Writing poetry has helped me to express myself in ways that I would not
do so if it wasn’t in a poem. It kind of gives me a right to say what I
want to say and not care what people think about me after I’m done. I
love it! It is my lifejacket.

H: what inspired you to write thick skin?

K: Well, I initially started writing “Thick Skin” way back in 2001, but the book was going to be titled something else. Somewhere in between 2001 and 2005, I lost my inspiration for the book so I just put it aside. Well one day, I decided to delete all 300 pages of the original version and just start completely over but I still wasn’t inspired. After airing all of my dirty laundry in poetry, people would tell me that I needed to write a book about my life. That’s when I decided to give it another try. One day I just started writing and 6 months later I birthed Thick Skin. It was written prophetically, without a blueprint, or ruff draft or anything. I just wrote it off the top of my head.

H: Did you have reservations about being so open?

K: I never had reservations about being so open but my husband was. He would say, “honey are you sure you want to say that?” My take on it was, well people are going to judge me regardless of whether I say the truth or sugar coat it, so I may as well just tell it like it is. I just thought that if somebody wanted to talk about me at least they could have the facts to base it off of instead of what they think I did or didn’t do. Might as well tell the truth about me if your going to talk lol.. What others think about me is never my concern. I can’t live for people. I can only life for myself. At the end of the day as long as God is pleased with me and I can go to bed feeling good about how I lived my life that day, then that’s all that matters. My hope is that people can see past the drama and see my progress. I am still a work in progress.

H: Have you had any opposition about the language you used in the book?

K: Naw man, I wrote that book based on actual conversations. Nothing was made up. In real life, real pain and emotions can’t be scripted. People don’t always say things the politically correct way when hit with real life situations so I kept it raw. Honestly I don’t know any other way to be.

H: Was this book a healing process for you?

K: Thick Skin gave me more than healing, it gave me liberty! I slept better, walked with more confidence, my hair grew; shoot I even gained some weight after writing this book. It’s amazing the toll that guilt and shame can take on your body mentally and physically. It’s like cancer and the only way to be healed is to share it with somebody else. You never know what kinda mess people are going through these days. And I know that if this book healed me, it could be medicine to someone else’s soul as well.

H: Where did you first bless the mic?

K: Java Daves! We tell stories poetry night! Go Heady!

H: Has We Tell Stories Poetry Night made any impact on your ministry?

K: Man if it wasn’t for we tell stories poetry night I don’t know if I
would be where I am now. It was my platform. It still is. It definitely
has contributed to my success.

H: Tell us about your books?

K: I have two poetry books titled “Broken yet sustained by God” and
“Anatomy of the soul”. I also have an autobiography titled “Thick Skin”
(parental discretion is advised on that one) All of my books are
inspirational non fiction books.

H: Do you read any other poet’s material?

K: Naw, not unless they send it to me.

H: What’s up with your son’s book? Is it completed? When will it come
out?

K: My 11 year old has completed his book. It is finished! I am in the
process of getting it printed as we speak. The title of his book is
called “Scary Cat” be on the look out for it.

H: When is Rozie going to come and do another set at poetry night?

K: I have absolutely no idea. I guess whenever Heady ask him to do it,
that’s when he will. Lol

H: I’m still looking for you to emcee a poetry night. When can we make
that happen? Lol…

K: Don’t even think about it buddy. I’m stickin to my calling and MCing is
not one of them lol

H: What can we expect from Kendal S. Turner in the near future?

K: Right now I have no idea what my next project is. However you can expect
for whatever I do to be real and personal. I try to show my true self in
everything I do.

H: Give us a website for people to visit for your product and upcoming
gigs.

K: www.myspace.com/kendalsturner or www.kendalsturner.com

H: What’s your first thought when you hear the word Jesus?

K: Save me! cause a chic got issues

Sean Johnson discusses Music & Life with Leah Joelle

Sean Johnson took time to discuss music and life with Leah Joelle.

Sean C. Johnson: How did you get your start in music?

Leah Joelle: I started singing when I realized that voices could make tons of sounds–i remember singing with my mother and sister in church at the age of 3–in harmony with them!!! I really didn’t know that music ministry was my call until around 2003 while I was at school. I wasn’t a music major, but i found myself in the piano room for hours everyday just jamming with musicians…it’s was a comfortable, peaceful feeling. As far as an official “start” in music…I really can’t say. I’ve had many “halts, twists, and turns” but in 2006, I recorded my first project “Use Me Lord.”

SCJ: If you had to listen to one song for an entire year what would
it be and why??

Leah Joelle: Great is thy Faithfulness—because those words “thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not, as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be” really tells of the true Essence of God. Everyday God shows himself faithful, and everyday, I thank Him for that!

SCJ: How would you define “success”?

Leah Joelle: My definition of success is totally delighting in God. When you make his business your business, He’ll make your business His business. Basically, when you seek after God, not for gain, but just because you desire all of Him, then I truly believe that you’ll be successful in any endeavor. To me, success is not the end result, but the process and the lessons learned on the road to success.

SCJ: Have you ever forgotten the words to a song while on stage
singing?? How did you react?

Leah Joelle: Ha..Ha!!!! Yes I have.. I had to sing the star bangled banner (a song i used to sing everyday as a kid) and for some reason i was extremely nervous and instead of saying “twilights last gleaming,” I said “twilights last hmmmm…hmmmm” lol! I was so shocked that I murdered the words, but then I shook it off and realized that I was human and I laughed along with everybody else. I must say that my rendition was not as bad as Carl Lewis’!!!!!

SCJ: Could you briefly describe your song writing process?

Leah Joelle: Great question—there is no formula. Sometimes I try to sit and write what I feel. What works best for me is waiting until God speaks it to me. I always hear melodies in my head and sing them out. I also try to take subject matters and write in a way that is very transparent and universal

SCJ: What do you feel is the biggest problem that needs to be
addressed in the Church?

Leah Joelle: There’s so many issues I’d love to address, but one big battle I have is the way we live. I’m truly guilty myself, but God has called us to be His legs, His voice, His hands, and feet. God is prestigious, and Chrisitians walk around like lost puppies…we can’t even minister to the lost, because we still are. I just penned a song called “Stand Up” and it states “Stand up or sit down, cause this world is spinning round and round…you betta stand up or sit down…God is calling us to be higher…you better stand up or sit down, because He’s not pleased with the way we live..you gotta Stand up or sit down….or you may be counted out” It’s time to be that representative and stop wavering and acting like grace and mercy will always cover our wrongdoings while we minister to those who are in the same boat as we are. He’s going to hold us accountable. Sorry, I really have two….TRADITIONS KILL CHURCHES.

SCJ: 1825 days from now (5 years, lol) where do you see yourself?

Joelle: I see myself outside of school administration, fulfilling my duties as a music minister. I plan to travel in the US and abroad with original material..spreading His word to whoever has a listening ear. I’d also like to be married with at least one child (possibly)!

SCJ: What do you love most about Jesus?

Leah Joelle: He loves ALL of me. I don’t have to compete–I don’t have to wait for a conversation. I can be free and at peace with Him. He’s soo funny too!

SCJ: Why did God create Gnats (insect)?? lol

Leah Joelle: I always wondered why..Surely it wasn’t to get on our nerves…i’m sure insects have great reasons to be on earth! When you get that answer, let me know

SCJ: This will be your second time performing at Poetry Night what
was your experience last time and what do you hope to accomplish this
time??

Leah Joelle: Loved last experience at Poetry Night. The only thing I want to accomplish is someone loving Christ just a little more than before they came, and hopefully they can feel the presence of God through His vessel!

Thanks Leah Joelle! We will post the date for Joelle’s performance at We Tell Stories Poetry Night once we have the date confirmed. Visit Leah Joelle’s Myspace.

Youth Pastor X Rapper = Marcus Duane Jackson aka Kadence

It was a pleasure catching up with Marcus Jackson. He is also known as Kadence. I thought it would be interesting to interview Kadence due to his serving as a Youth Pastor & as a hip-hop artist. I learned a bunch from Kadence’s response per this interview.

Heady: What’s your full name?

Kadence: Marcus Duane Jackson aka Kadence Aka Da Eastside Drumma aka…. !!!

Heady: How did you end up in the group Exodus?

Kadence: Man it was a God thing. They were already a group when I met them. I just kinda wandered in as a beatmaker. I rapped too, but I was not fully dedicated to Christ at the time but they took me in and discipled me (along with a few others) and God started to give me a desire to rap my testimony. So I kinda wrote a verse to a beat I made for them and bumrushed my way into the group as a emcee.

Heady: Are you an artist first or a youth minister?

Kadence: Because of the type of artist I am (gospel), it’s hard to answer that because lives are changed on both ends. But I believe I have a gift of gab and im good at getting my point across. So Wednesday nights always excite me, because I know a teenager will be hearing the TRUTH in the most basic and down to earth way. But I love performing too. My music is a huge part of my life. But I would have to say youth minister though. My priorities have been rearranged as of late. The souls always take precedence.

Heady: What are the biggest challenges working with youth?

Kadence: Since I work with “urban” youth on the eastside of OKC, I would have to say the biggest challenge is the mentality. The hood has a certain way of molding a child. It damages them. I have seen many of our youth go through the state system and be medicated because they believe these children are mentally ill. The ghetto does that to a person. A mother on drugs/alcohol and a father who is out of the picture, or an uncle or friend of the family molesting a child, and living in poverty all does something to my kids that makes this journey LIFELONG. It’s a challenge I grew up in and was well prepared to face head on when I started this. It’s not a quick salvation prayer type of thing. You have to be ready to walk with them through this.

Heady: What’s the key to being a successful youth minister?

Kadence: RELATIONSHIP. Not only is it biblical, it’s a method used by the older gangstas and drug dealers in the community. Jesus spent alot of time with the disciples and showed them how to live. The streets understand this principle well. The church not so much. Discipleship/Mentoring is the key to seeing a lasting change on person’s (not just youth) life. But also RELEVANCY. Know the generation you are targeting. Know what they deal with, what they like, who they are influenced by.

Heady: Who has influenced you the most in ministry?

Kadence: Exodus, Pastor Josh Kouri @ Frontline church, my OG Vernon Deas, My mother and pastor Linda Jackson-Staley @ The Secret Place Community Church, Matt Hankins and the kids.

Heady: Why does it seem that youth ministers don’t stay at a ministry long? I hear two years is average.

Kadence: Yea they say 2 years is average for marriage too…lol… that not funny though. But seriously. Most ministries honestly are doing it wrong. Not that I have the perfect formula. I’m just being honest. These kids need more than loud music, video games, and pizza. A lot of these youth pastors try to entertain, entertain, entertain, then preach a 10 minute sermon. All it results in is spoiled teens who never get enough fun stuff. The spiritual turn-around is minimal. Due to this, we become frustrated and feel that we aren’t making the difference we thought we could. But just like in a marriage, you cant just buy each other gifts and make love and think its all good. There has to be pure quality time to build a long lasting relationship. With God its the same way. The kids dont commit to God because they dont know how, and they dont know how because we dont show them. We wont take time out of our day to mentor and disciple these kids. WE TOO BUSY! So as a result… there is no lasting change. Making the youth pastor feel exhausted from event after event with no spiritual maturity taking place.

Heady: Do you think being a hip-hop artist has helped you relate to the youth a little better or vice versa?

Kadence: Definitely. Even though I dont rap at church or anything. They know what I do and they enjoy it. They all have had some sort of Exodus CD or Secret service mixtape. Yall have seen them at our shows throughout the years hanging out or helping. They are very supportive. Even though they be burning my music. I also learn from them. I listen to their ipods and music on their myspace pages to see whats the influence. I like to know what is being poured into them and what lies we have to contend with for our music to have a relevant affect.

Heady: Do you think we don’t focus enough on teaching our youth what it means to mature in Christ? I think we should highlight maturity vs. perfection.

Kadence: YEP. you nailed it. Perfection is the worse way to approach ministry. No one qualifies but Christ. It makes the youth feel inadequate and not good enough to be a christian. We try to focus on explaining God’s grace and forgiveness. By far, Maturity is key at our church. We work in steps. Unbeliever, new believer, mentorship, leadership, spiritual independence. We always try to see where our teens are and meet them there to get them to the next step. all of our leaders are dedicated to spending time (phone, hangouts, bible studies etc,,) with them to aid their growth. I used to struggle with wanting them to be perfect right after the sinner’s prayer. I was in for a rude awakening. Disciple them into maturity. It’s the ONLY way. PERIOD.

Heady: Have you figured out how to be effective with social media in reaching youth i.e. myspace, facebook, twitter, etc?

Kadence: Over 80% of my youth contact me via myspace, facebook, twitter, and some even text messages. I understand that the internet is a big part of their social lives and if they invite you into that circle and you respect it, they will respect you and hear what you have to say. I have seen so many people go wrong by putting teens on blast because of myspace and such. You gotta understand, to these kids thats like being invited into their bedroom and telling everybody what was wrong while you were there. It took me awhile to understand this but it has aided our ministry Tremendously. We have had testimonies, confessions, prayers, and even salvations happen via internet.

Heady: How can people reach you?

Kadence: I’m on Facebook.com/EastsideDrumma, Twitter.com/Kadence02 & Myspace.com/Kadence_n_okc

Heady: Here is a question for you seeing your background in music. Who is the greatest rapper ever dead or alive?

Kadence: Mannnn I hate this question because there are so many cats who are crazy with the pen. But I will humor you. For wordplay I would say Eminem, for style I would say Ludacris, for crazy lyrical ability its a tie between Black Thought and Mos Def, and for freestyle ability Vocab R.I.P(one time he went like 6 hours straight)..for inspiration DAVID..Psalms….and for best in the game right now… ME… im kidding… i know somebody mad now. It’s jokes people.

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

Kadence: Sacrifice, Mercy, and Love. Jesus is so good to us. He gave himself knowing we still would fall. His mercy endures forever. He loves us even when we don’t love ourselves. He is the STANDARD.

Deon Robertson Concert Review

January 9, 2010
CD Release Concert: Deon Robertson

From the soulful neo-sounds of Sean Johnson to the Huff-Enough energy of Oklahoma’s very own American Idol, the highly decibled atmosphere didn’t dissappoint the estimated 300 occupants that ingored the cold winter weather to fill the pews of Prospect Missionary Baptist Church and support the CD Release concert of Deon Robertson.

From the beginning to end, the featured artist and their musicians seamlessly flowed in and out of praise to worship, old school to modern gospel, giving all who listened an appeasing variety to the highly anticipated event.

And with all that said, the night truely belonged to Mr. Robertson, whose vocal confidence and relaxed demeanor allowed him to share his gift with the world. Flawlessly manuevering several octives while tickling the ears and souls of his captivated audience, Deon stood on the stage, mic in hand, and delivered a wondeful message through song that reminded everyone of why he loves to sing, and most importantly, for who he loves to sing.

BasementSeven applauds Mr. Deon Robertson in a successful CD Release Concert and will continue to encourage him in his musical efforts.

You can find out more about Deon Robertson and his music here.

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