A week ago tonight, on the evening of June 17, 2015, a mass shooting took place at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown in Charleston, SC. The church is one of the United States' oldest black churches and has a long history of community organizing around issues like civil rights. Nine people were killed, including the senior pastor and state senator, Clementa C. [...]
Dear Venusian, The number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of American women who were murdered by current or ex male partners during that time was 11,766. That's nearly double the amount of casualties lost during war. So being the author of She Rose: on a journey from girl to Goddess, I [...]
Recently I was asked to recite Maya's "Phenomenal Woman" for a 50th birthday celebration on what would have been my mom's 62nd. Maya Angelou's memory and my mother's were both moving me up a little higher last month. I needed a cup of coffee. Sobering is the synchronicity as this cup was also a gift given to me [...]
I caught one of my favorite people off guard but there is still peace between us. Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/Stargoddess1 for more interviews and episodes of "Waging Peace through Poetry." ✌️
“When you say you're a s/hero does that mean you’re a role model?” I pondered on his energy, tone and the question for a moment, looked him square in the eyes and replied, "Yes and no." Some people don't like it when I respond this way but everything isn't always black or white. I do think s/heroes [...]
It was May 28, 2014 when I learned that Maya Angelou, one of my biggest inspirations had died. My first reaction was disbelief. I had to check other sources. I shook my head and shed some tears. But being I'm the author of the book "She Rose" I felt obligated to broadcast her home going to my [...]
On May 17, 2014, I received my Masters in Fine Arts degree in English and Creative Writing from Mills College with a 4.0 G.P.A. Let's just say, I went out like a woman who soars. I completed six projects including a thesis. Special thanks to Professor Elmaz Abinader, my thesis director, who graciously said my [...]
On April 12, 2014 at Mills College, I attended my very first Pow Wow. There's so much we are not taught about the indigenous people of these lands and the mounds and grounds we walk on that often literally consist of the relics. "Indian'" blood was spilled and their bones, crushed and rolled over after [...]
I'm that artist who had some reservations when it came to collaboration. Why? Sometimes it's hard enough coming up with something decent on my own and I didn't want people to see that painful process. I didn't know how much time it would take or if we would gel across mediums or as fellow writers. [...]
