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

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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

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 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.

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

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

Heady will have the great privilege of emceeing this event. We hope you come out and support.

Thanks for helping me get this message out!