WRITERS AND ARTISTS BIOGRAPHIES
Hzal Anubewei (Anthony Fudge) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and currently resides in Lithonia, GA. He has performed original works at Karamu, Albany State College (writer-in-residence) , Cleveland State, and Howard University. Appeared on WKYC TV, and radio stations WABQ and WRFG in the Cleveland and Atlanta areas. His works have been published in Freelance, Cleveland Area Arts Council Anthology. He most recently read at African American Arts & Heritage Academy, Poetry Kitchen, Lovers of Poetry Day Ansted W. Virginia. His writings include Seso the Prophet; Pouring Shade; A Scheme in Every Scene and Muntu Poets Anthology 47.
Jolynn Brooks "I have been writing poetry, essays, and have self-published one book. It is a compilation of memories, recipes, and primer for vegetarian beginners and those choosing to live a healthier lifestyle. I am currently in the editing phase of my second book. Issues involving women of African descent, our lives, trials, and triumphs have been a central focus of my life and career path. I am presently embarked on a career as a user experience designer with a concentration in equity design for underrepresented audiences and customers."
Karla Brundage is a Pushcart Prize nominee, Fulbright teacher and author of Swallowing Watermelons. She has performed her work onstage and online, both nationally and internationally. Her poetry, short stories and essays are in Konch, Hip Mama, sPARKLE & bLINK, Bamboo Ridge Press, Vibe. A performer, teacher and beach lover, Karla is also a board member of Before Columbus Foundation. She is the founder of West Oakland to West Africa Poetry Exchange and her work can be found at https://www.karlabrundage.com/.
T. Renée Crutcher is an accomplished performing artist with stage, screen and recording credits, a global humanitarian, social justice advocate and Ambassador for The Arts. Founder of The Armelia Project – an interfaith non-profit dedicated to social justice via The Arts, Environmentalism and Community Impact. She has spoken on behalf of The International Year of the Child and Woman for the United Nations, worked alongside Harry Belafonte rallying against Apartheid, Aboriginal Land Rights, and the Bonn Peace Movement. She holds a BFA from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
Theresa Davis is an educator, storyteller, poet, author, poetry slam champion, and host of the award-winning open mic Java Speaks (now virtual). In 2011 she won the Women of the World Poetry Slam. In May 2013, her first book, “After This We Go Dark” published by Sibling Rivalry Press became an American Library Association Honoree and can be checked out in libraries around the world. Her latest poetry book “Drowned: A Mermaid’s Manifesto”, (Sibling Rivalry Press) received the award, "Ten Books All Georgians Should Read” fall, 2016. She is the Literary Events Coordinator and The Charles “Jikki” Riley Memorial Library facilitator for The Arts Xchange. Her work appearing in Merge can be found at https://siblingrivalrypress.bigcartel.com/
product/after-this-we-go-dark-by-theresa-davis
Patrick Duncan was born and raised in Sylvester, Georgia, a close- knit community nestled in the heart of Southwest Georgia. He began writing poetry when he was 13 years old. With time and experience Duncan learned that words have the power to construct or destruct. He made an unrelenting commitment to use words wisely. Duncan recently released his debut poetry CD, titled What's Going On. You can visit his website at patricksduncan.com.
Felton Eaddy, poet, singer, arts educator, and professor, lives in Dillon, South Carolina. He studied English at Claflin University, and creative writing at Johns Hopkins University. His poems have appeared in African American Review, Catalyst Magazine, Out of the Rough and Crux. Author of Bending Over to Pick up a Snake and Living by the Sword, Eaddy contracts with Georgia, South Carolina, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA, and Young Audiences of Atlanta as a literary artist. Professor emeritus at Clark Atlanta University, the poet founded and hosts Felton Eaddy’s Poetry Kitchen, a long-term project which features poets in performance.
José Angel Figueroa was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. He is a poet, editor, playwright, actor, and professor of Latinx literature at Boricua College. Recognized as a major contributor to the Puerto Rican and Latinx literary movement in the United States, he is best known for a diverse body of work that reflects a powerful social commentary. His works have been widely anthologized and translated. Among his books A Mirror in My Own Backstage, Hypocrisy Held Hostage, Noo Jork, East 110th Street; and The Invisibles, (with co-author George Malave). His poems in this issue of Merge, I AM ERICA GARDNER! and BLACK PEARL are included in his new book, Heartbeats, Rhythm and Fire
(www.redsugarcanepress.com).
Gwen Russell Green is a freelance writer and an educational consultant. She is the CEO of her company, Green Ideas, Inc. Her signature event, the Creative Collaboration in the Southeast, allows her to commission and pay writers, visual artists, musicians, and dancers. She has self-published two volumes of poetry, From the Edges, and Another beside Adam. Her work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as in the Reach of Song poetry anthology published by the Georgia Poetry Society.
Tamara D. Hill, Ph.D. is an independent scholar who holds degrees from several HBCU’s. She has a BA in English from Jackson State University, an MA in English Literature from Grambling State University, and a MA in Political Science with a concentration in Urban Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her Ph.D. in Humanities from Clark Atlanta University has a dual concentration in English Literature and Educational Leadership. Her interests include African American biography, popular culture, and Black history.
Akbar Imhotep: storyteller, poet, puppeteer, and toastmaster, took his first creative writing workshop at the Neighborhood Arts Center from Ebon Dooley. A professional storyteller since 1985, he "tells stories to make a living and writes poetry to stay alive". His poetry has been published in POTLIKKER and CATALYST. He has published three poetry collections; LOVE, SECURITY & DEVOTION, BEYOND TIME & SPACE, and INSHA'LLAH & THE CREEK DON'T RISE.
Ayisha Jeffries Cisse Founder and CEO of Aging In Black: Notes to Women of Color, a contemporary community of Wise Women aging successfully, maintains that, “I live all these lives
wife, mother, nana, scholar, humanitarian, philanthropist, poet, commentator, social entrepreneur, activist, lover, best friend, she/her/hers, maker, seeker....”
Favorite Quote
The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because shit worked out. They got that way because shit went wrong, and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. Those women are my superheroes. Elizabeth Gilbert
Jacqueline Johnson is a multi-disciplined artist creating in poetry, fiction writing and fiber arts. She is the author of A Woman's Season, on Main Street Rag Press and A Gathering of Mother Tongues, published by White Pine Press and is the winner of the Third Annual White Pine Press Poetry Award. Her work has appeared in: “Revisiting the Elegy in the Black Lives Matter Era,” and other journals and anthologies. She is a Cave Canem fellow, VONA Fiction fellow and BEI fellow 2018-2021. She is a graduate of New York University and the City University of New York. A native of Philadelphia, PA., she resides in Brooklyn, New York.
Gary Johnston has taught creative writing and read at Columbia University and numerous locations nationally. He has been published in"New Rain", “Bum Rush The Page”, “Let Loose on the World, Celebrating Amiri Baraka at 75” and other small press publications. He is a New York State Foundation on the Arts Fellow, 1993, and winner of the William C. Wolfson Award for Poetry, BRIO Award, 1989, Member of Poets and Writers, Bronx Council on the Arts and African Diaspora Poets. Published: “Making Eyes Thru Morning", 1979, “Blue Suite, Voices & Memory, CD music & poetry 2005, and two chapbooks of poetry, “Tears of Answered Prayer” 2012 and “Good Work for a Season 2013”. He is co-founder, editor, and publisher of Blind Beggar Press Inc.
M. Bahati Kuumba, Ph.D., is a scholar-activist who holds the positions of Professor of Comparative Women’s Studies and Associate Director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center (WRRC) at Spelman College. She is also the co-founding faculty facilitator of the Toni Cade Bambara Scholars/Writers/Activists project of the Women’s Center. She has taught in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and worked with women-led organizations in Cuba, South Africa, Uganda, and Brazil. She has published numerous book chapters and articles in a range of scholarly journals. Her honors include the Spelman College Presidential Award for Scholarship, Fannie Lou Hamer Achievement Award, and the Lucy Terry Prince National Black Herstory Award.
Alice Lovelace is a cultural worker, poet, playwright, and arts administrator. In 1978 she worked with Ebon Dooley and Toni Cade Bambara to found The Southern Collective of African American Writers. In 1979 she joined the Neighborhood Arts Center staff as writer-in-residence. In 1983, with Ebon Dooley, Alice founded the Southeast Community Cultural Center. Thirty-six years later, she serves the organization as President of the Board, and Executive Director for the new ArtsXchange facility in East Point, GA. Her poems have been published widely in anthologies in English, Spanish and Swedish. She is co-editor of In Motion Magazine, a multicultural, online publication dedicated to issues of democracy.
Charlois Lumpkin, aka Mali Newman, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and a member of the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club and its performance troupe, the Soular Systems Ensemble. Her work has appeared in Drumvoices Revue, Valley Voices – A literary Review, Crossing the Divide from the Poets of St. Louis, The Hoot and Holler of the Owls an anthology published by the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation and the forthcoming anthology 400 years: stories of black people in poems written from love, publisher Broadside – Lotus Press.
Tamara J. Madison is an author, poet, editor, and instructor. Her critical and creative works have been recorded, produced, and published in various journals, magazines, exhibits, podcasts, and anthologies. Her most recent poetry collection Threed, This Road Not Damascus was published by Trio House Press. Tamara has performed and recorded her work for stage, television, and studio. She enjoys facilitating creative writing and expressions workshops for both youths and adults. She currently lives in Orlando where she teaches as a professor of English and Creative Writing at Valencia College.
Eric Maxie is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He lives, works, and writes in Atlanta, Georgia. He has published two volumes of Poetry and numerous independent poems. He is a spoken word artist and has produced several live performances in support of independent artists.
Bob McNeil was influenced by the Imagists and the Negritude Movement. Furthermore, after years of being a professional illustrator, spoken word artist, and writer, he still hopes to express and address the needs of the human mosaic.
David Mills has published three collections: The Dream Detective, The Sudden Country and Boneyarn (New York Slavery poems). His poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Brooklyn Rail, Colorado Review, Crab Orchard Review, Jubilat, Callaloo, Obsidian, The Common and Fence. He has received fellowships from the New York Arts Foundation, Breadloaf and The American Antiquarian Society. He lived in Langston Hughes’ landmark home and wrote the script for Deborah Willis’ exhibition: Reflections in Black:100 Years of Black Photography. The Juilliard School produced a play by Mills. He has recorded his poetry on ESPN and RCA Record
Tony Mitchelson is a poet/writer who was born in New York City. Raised in Harlem, he presently resides in Newark, New Jersey. He is the author of a book of poems: Linyak Love. His writings have appeared in various publications over the past 40 years. Tony is co-founder of The Linyak Project - an Arts, Culture and Education organization aimed at highlighting, motivating, and encouraging people.
Christian Myrick was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Morehouse College in May of 2018 cum laude. His work has also appeared in Morehouse College Catalyst and in October of 2016, he was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta International Honor Society. Being a member of Sigma Tau Delta provided him with the opportunity to present two of his unpublished works of fiction, "The Flood" and "the Tale of the Pagan Preacher" at their 2017 and 2018 International Convention. Currently, he serves as a writing tutor in the Writing Center at Morehouse College.
Stanley Lamar Raper was born in Atlanta, Georgia. A native of the East and West side of “LAGA” (Lovely Atlanta Georgia). He is a divorced father with five children and one granddaughter. A Booker T. Washington High School and Dekalb Community College graduate (Perimeter College). A U.S. Navy veteran. His work has appeared in: The Atlanta Journal Constitution (editorial), San Fernando Poetry Journal, Anthology Magazine, Issues Magazine, Africa’s Children Community Magazine, Rolling Out urbanstyle weekly, CAPPER’S, CrossRoads NEWS, Ifa News, The Atlanta Metro OBSERVER and The Sunday Paper.
Jim “Shaka” Robinson created the Merge cover art “Queen.” He produced a remarkable body of artwork that brings to life the vibrant colors that are so much a part of African and African American culture. His themes capture powerful, spiritual, and expressive feelings and transfer them into passionate images for his viewers. Born and raised in Phoenix Arizona, Jim’s surrealist approach to his paintings reflects the raw umber, alizarin crimsons, and burnt sienna of southwestern landscape. There is laborious detail in his work. Jim was a well-known artist who was loved by many. He ran the Jim "Shaka" Robinson Fine Art galleries in Phoenix, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia. He was a regular participant in the National Black Arts Festival and many other the events showcasing artists. (b 1960-d 2020)
Rev. Sandy Rodgers, “Mama Sandy” is educator, corporate trainer, author, minister, certified NLP life coach, reiki master teacher practitioner, master gardener and TV film producer, born and raised in Watts California. Her expertise is as a healing foods, plant-based nutrition, and HIV ministerial educator. She created the 2018 Life, Love and Wellness Global, Worldwide Wellness Webinar, an online 10-day wellness webinar. She with 3 other Black Women presented the 2020 Sisters Who Speak Healing & Wellness virtual series, Sistah Heal Thyself. Rev. Rodgers is an Amazon #1 Best Seller Author. Her newest books are - Look In My Mirror, and God’s Groceries…As Nature Intended.
Darlene Roy, an East St. Louis, IL native, is co-founder and president of the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club, and associate editor of Drumvoices Revue, Roy has performed on radio, television, and readings throughout the United States. Her poetry has appeared in St. Louis Muse, Merge Literary Magazine, Literary Chicago, Valley Voices, and other publications; in her chapbook, Soon One Morning and other Poems and her book, Afrosynthesis: A Feast of Poetry & Folklore.
DG Santana is a 26-year-old Atlanta native. He is a writer who has written several fiction books in the past eight years.
Toni Simmons Henson (aka Toni X) is the Producing Director of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, poet, best-selling author, and arts and cultural advocate. Henson is a graduate of New York University (M.P.A.) and Howard University (B.B.A.). She also holds an Executive Master's Certification in Non-profit Management and Women in Leadership. She's been married for 32 years to Antonio Henson and together they've raised four amazing children. Follow via @ linktr.ee/m68m
Raquel Thomas grew up in Mount Zion, a rural community in Georgia. Through her matriculation at Spelman, the esteemed historically Black, all-women’s college, she enhanced her ability to learn from everyone she encounters. Raquel considers herself a student of the world which has influenced her creative and writing style. She finds joy in playing the bass guitar and flute, teaching yoga classes, and spending quality time with her loved ones. She is passionate about serving her community through implementing sustainable living and holistic wellness initiatives in underserved communities. Through her life’s work, Raquel hopes to positively influence others while encouraging authenticity and vulnerability.
Raymond Nat Turner is a NYC poet privileged to have read at the Harriet Tubman Centennial Symposium. He is Artistic Director of the stalwart Jazz Poetry Ensemble UpSurge and has appeared at numerous festivals and venues including the Monterey Jazz Festival and Panafest in Ghana West Africa. He currently is Poet-in-Residence at Black Agenda Report. He is co-chair of the NY Chapter National Writers Union (NWU). Read other articles by Raymond Nat or visit Raymond Nat's website.
Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD, retired professor, is the author of 9 books and writer of Afro-Futurist, eco-poetry, social justice and travel themes, and many scholarly articles. Owner, editor, and publisher of Pacific Raven Press, LLC since 2008. (18 titles) Recent publications: Close Casket; Our Spirits Carry Our Voices; Red Dreams Volcano Visions; Footprints Wings Phantasms; Love’s Seasons: Generations Genetics Myths. Awards: The History Makers (national award), Black Futures Award, Life-Time Achievement (NAACP) award, Knighted in the Orthodox Order of St. John. She recently completed 2 podcasts, lectured on 7 contemporary black artists and the Black Arts Movement for the Honolulu Museum, and performed in several Hawaiian and national poetry readings online.
Jaye P. Willis is a spoken word artist, published poet and playwright from East St. Louis, Illinois. In 2007, she joined the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club and has had amazing opportunities to travel the United States to attend conferences, book signings, and special events. Jaye is published in the 17th edition of Drumvoices Revue, published by Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Crossing the Divide by Dr. Michael Castro, Valley Voices: A Literary Review, published by Mississippi Valley State University and the inaugural issue of Merge Literary Magazine.
Olumide Ted Wilson, born and raised in Harlem is a writer, producer, promoter, and publisher of two books of poetry, Slo Dance and Senses and Shadows and a memoir, Kinda Blue, Memories of a Harlem Ivy League Teenager. He published Let Loose on the World, Celebrating Amiri Baraka at 75 with associate publisher, SE Anderson. He has been a cultural worker since the 1960's in the Black Liberation/human rights movement. His writings have appeared in many journals including: The Black Nation and several anthologies including Black Fire, Anthology of Afro American Writing ed L. Jones and L. Neal.
Colleen Wint-Bond has written articles and training publications on development issues for national and international agencies. Before publishing her first book, Celebrating Me, Colleen coordinated the children’s book Diego Dish and Carlotta Spoon, developed out of a story-telling project of the Caribbean Child Support Initiative. She earned her B.Sc. in Social Administration at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica, and went on to The New School in New York, USA, where she attained her M.A. in Media Studies. Colleen was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She is an independent publisher. Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle.
Rachel Moss, illustrator of Celebrating Me is a Jamaican freelance illustrator and is part of the creative team at Sutherland Wade Associates, a corporate graphic design company.
Jolynn Brooks "I have been writing poetry, essays, and have self-published one book. It is a compilation of memories, recipes, and primer for vegetarian beginners and those choosing to live a healthier lifestyle. I am currently in the editing phase of my second book. Issues involving women of African descent, our lives, trials, and triumphs have been a central focus of my life and career path. I am presently embarked on a career as a user experience designer with a concentration in equity design for underrepresented audiences and customers."
Karla Brundage is a Pushcart Prize nominee, Fulbright teacher and author of Swallowing Watermelons. She has performed her work onstage and online, both nationally and internationally. Her poetry, short stories and essays are in Konch, Hip Mama, sPARKLE & bLINK, Bamboo Ridge Press, Vibe. A performer, teacher and beach lover, Karla is also a board member of Before Columbus Foundation. She is the founder of West Oakland to West Africa Poetry Exchange and her work can be found at https://www.karlabrundage.com/.
T. Renée Crutcher is an accomplished performing artist with stage, screen and recording credits, a global humanitarian, social justice advocate and Ambassador for The Arts. Founder of The Armelia Project – an interfaith non-profit dedicated to social justice via The Arts, Environmentalism and Community Impact. She has spoken on behalf of The International Year of the Child and Woman for the United Nations, worked alongside Harry Belafonte rallying against Apartheid, Aboriginal Land Rights, and the Bonn Peace Movement. She holds a BFA from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
Theresa Davis is an educator, storyteller, poet, author, poetry slam champion, and host of the award-winning open mic Java Speaks (now virtual). In 2011 she won the Women of the World Poetry Slam. In May 2013, her first book, “After This We Go Dark” published by Sibling Rivalry Press became an American Library Association Honoree and can be checked out in libraries around the world. Her latest poetry book “Drowned: A Mermaid’s Manifesto”, (Sibling Rivalry Press) received the award, "Ten Books All Georgians Should Read” fall, 2016. She is the Literary Events Coordinator and The Charles “Jikki” Riley Memorial Library facilitator for The Arts Xchange. Her work appearing in Merge can be found at https://siblingrivalrypress.bigcartel.com/
product/after-this-we-go-dark-by-theresa-davis
Patrick Duncan was born and raised in Sylvester, Georgia, a close- knit community nestled in the heart of Southwest Georgia. He began writing poetry when he was 13 years old. With time and experience Duncan learned that words have the power to construct or destruct. He made an unrelenting commitment to use words wisely. Duncan recently released his debut poetry CD, titled What's Going On. You can visit his website at patricksduncan.com.
Felton Eaddy, poet, singer, arts educator, and professor, lives in Dillon, South Carolina. He studied English at Claflin University, and creative writing at Johns Hopkins University. His poems have appeared in African American Review, Catalyst Magazine, Out of the Rough and Crux. Author of Bending Over to Pick up a Snake and Living by the Sword, Eaddy contracts with Georgia, South Carolina, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA, and Young Audiences of Atlanta as a literary artist. Professor emeritus at Clark Atlanta University, the poet founded and hosts Felton Eaddy’s Poetry Kitchen, a long-term project which features poets in performance.
José Angel Figueroa was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. He is a poet, editor, playwright, actor, and professor of Latinx literature at Boricua College. Recognized as a major contributor to the Puerto Rican and Latinx literary movement in the United States, he is best known for a diverse body of work that reflects a powerful social commentary. His works have been widely anthologized and translated. Among his books A Mirror in My Own Backstage, Hypocrisy Held Hostage, Noo Jork, East 110th Street; and The Invisibles, (with co-author George Malave). His poems in this issue of Merge, I AM ERICA GARDNER! and BLACK PEARL are included in his new book, Heartbeats, Rhythm and Fire
(www.redsugarcanepress.com).
Gwen Russell Green is a freelance writer and an educational consultant. She is the CEO of her company, Green Ideas, Inc. Her signature event, the Creative Collaboration in the Southeast, allows her to commission and pay writers, visual artists, musicians, and dancers. She has self-published two volumes of poetry, From the Edges, and Another beside Adam. Her work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as in the Reach of Song poetry anthology published by the Georgia Poetry Society.
Tamara D. Hill, Ph.D. is an independent scholar who holds degrees from several HBCU’s. She has a BA in English from Jackson State University, an MA in English Literature from Grambling State University, and a MA in Political Science with a concentration in Urban Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her Ph.D. in Humanities from Clark Atlanta University has a dual concentration in English Literature and Educational Leadership. Her interests include African American biography, popular culture, and Black history.
Akbar Imhotep: storyteller, poet, puppeteer, and toastmaster, took his first creative writing workshop at the Neighborhood Arts Center from Ebon Dooley. A professional storyteller since 1985, he "tells stories to make a living and writes poetry to stay alive". His poetry has been published in POTLIKKER and CATALYST. He has published three poetry collections; LOVE, SECURITY & DEVOTION, BEYOND TIME & SPACE, and INSHA'LLAH & THE CREEK DON'T RISE.
Ayisha Jeffries Cisse Founder and CEO of Aging In Black: Notes to Women of Color, a contemporary community of Wise Women aging successfully, maintains that, “I live all these lives
wife, mother, nana, scholar, humanitarian, philanthropist, poet, commentator, social entrepreneur, activist, lover, best friend, she/her/hers, maker, seeker....”
Favorite Quote
The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because shit worked out. They got that way because shit went wrong, and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. Those women are my superheroes. Elizabeth Gilbert
Jacqueline Johnson is a multi-disciplined artist creating in poetry, fiction writing and fiber arts. She is the author of A Woman's Season, on Main Street Rag Press and A Gathering of Mother Tongues, published by White Pine Press and is the winner of the Third Annual White Pine Press Poetry Award. Her work has appeared in: “Revisiting the Elegy in the Black Lives Matter Era,” and other journals and anthologies. She is a Cave Canem fellow, VONA Fiction fellow and BEI fellow 2018-2021. She is a graduate of New York University and the City University of New York. A native of Philadelphia, PA., she resides in Brooklyn, New York.
Gary Johnston has taught creative writing and read at Columbia University and numerous locations nationally. He has been published in"New Rain", “Bum Rush The Page”, “Let Loose on the World, Celebrating Amiri Baraka at 75” and other small press publications. He is a New York State Foundation on the Arts Fellow, 1993, and winner of the William C. Wolfson Award for Poetry, BRIO Award, 1989, Member of Poets and Writers, Bronx Council on the Arts and African Diaspora Poets. Published: “Making Eyes Thru Morning", 1979, “Blue Suite, Voices & Memory, CD music & poetry 2005, and two chapbooks of poetry, “Tears of Answered Prayer” 2012 and “Good Work for a Season 2013”. He is co-founder, editor, and publisher of Blind Beggar Press Inc.
M. Bahati Kuumba, Ph.D., is a scholar-activist who holds the positions of Professor of Comparative Women’s Studies and Associate Director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center (WRRC) at Spelman College. She is also the co-founding faculty facilitator of the Toni Cade Bambara Scholars/Writers/Activists project of the Women’s Center. She has taught in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and worked with women-led organizations in Cuba, South Africa, Uganda, and Brazil. She has published numerous book chapters and articles in a range of scholarly journals. Her honors include the Spelman College Presidential Award for Scholarship, Fannie Lou Hamer Achievement Award, and the Lucy Terry Prince National Black Herstory Award.
Alice Lovelace is a cultural worker, poet, playwright, and arts administrator. In 1978 she worked with Ebon Dooley and Toni Cade Bambara to found The Southern Collective of African American Writers. In 1979 she joined the Neighborhood Arts Center staff as writer-in-residence. In 1983, with Ebon Dooley, Alice founded the Southeast Community Cultural Center. Thirty-six years later, she serves the organization as President of the Board, and Executive Director for the new ArtsXchange facility in East Point, GA. Her poems have been published widely in anthologies in English, Spanish and Swedish. She is co-editor of In Motion Magazine, a multicultural, online publication dedicated to issues of democracy.
Charlois Lumpkin, aka Mali Newman, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and a member of the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club and its performance troupe, the Soular Systems Ensemble. Her work has appeared in Drumvoices Revue, Valley Voices – A literary Review, Crossing the Divide from the Poets of St. Louis, The Hoot and Holler of the Owls an anthology published by the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation and the forthcoming anthology 400 years: stories of black people in poems written from love, publisher Broadside – Lotus Press.
Tamara J. Madison is an author, poet, editor, and instructor. Her critical and creative works have been recorded, produced, and published in various journals, magazines, exhibits, podcasts, and anthologies. Her most recent poetry collection Threed, This Road Not Damascus was published by Trio House Press. Tamara has performed and recorded her work for stage, television, and studio. She enjoys facilitating creative writing and expressions workshops for both youths and adults. She currently lives in Orlando where she teaches as a professor of English and Creative Writing at Valencia College.
Eric Maxie is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He lives, works, and writes in Atlanta, Georgia. He has published two volumes of Poetry and numerous independent poems. He is a spoken word artist and has produced several live performances in support of independent artists.
Bob McNeil was influenced by the Imagists and the Negritude Movement. Furthermore, after years of being a professional illustrator, spoken word artist, and writer, he still hopes to express and address the needs of the human mosaic.
David Mills has published three collections: The Dream Detective, The Sudden Country and Boneyarn (New York Slavery poems). His poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Brooklyn Rail, Colorado Review, Crab Orchard Review, Jubilat, Callaloo, Obsidian, The Common and Fence. He has received fellowships from the New York Arts Foundation, Breadloaf and The American Antiquarian Society. He lived in Langston Hughes’ landmark home and wrote the script for Deborah Willis’ exhibition: Reflections in Black:100 Years of Black Photography. The Juilliard School produced a play by Mills. He has recorded his poetry on ESPN and RCA Record
Tony Mitchelson is a poet/writer who was born in New York City. Raised in Harlem, he presently resides in Newark, New Jersey. He is the author of a book of poems: Linyak Love. His writings have appeared in various publications over the past 40 years. Tony is co-founder of The Linyak Project - an Arts, Culture and Education organization aimed at highlighting, motivating, and encouraging people.
Christian Myrick was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Morehouse College in May of 2018 cum laude. His work has also appeared in Morehouse College Catalyst and in October of 2016, he was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta International Honor Society. Being a member of Sigma Tau Delta provided him with the opportunity to present two of his unpublished works of fiction, "The Flood" and "the Tale of the Pagan Preacher" at their 2017 and 2018 International Convention. Currently, he serves as a writing tutor in the Writing Center at Morehouse College.
Stanley Lamar Raper was born in Atlanta, Georgia. A native of the East and West side of “LAGA” (Lovely Atlanta Georgia). He is a divorced father with five children and one granddaughter. A Booker T. Washington High School and Dekalb Community College graduate (Perimeter College). A U.S. Navy veteran. His work has appeared in: The Atlanta Journal Constitution (editorial), San Fernando Poetry Journal, Anthology Magazine, Issues Magazine, Africa’s Children Community Magazine, Rolling Out urbanstyle weekly, CAPPER’S, CrossRoads NEWS, Ifa News, The Atlanta Metro OBSERVER and The Sunday Paper.
Jim “Shaka” Robinson created the Merge cover art “Queen.” He produced a remarkable body of artwork that brings to life the vibrant colors that are so much a part of African and African American culture. His themes capture powerful, spiritual, and expressive feelings and transfer them into passionate images for his viewers. Born and raised in Phoenix Arizona, Jim’s surrealist approach to his paintings reflects the raw umber, alizarin crimsons, and burnt sienna of southwestern landscape. There is laborious detail in his work. Jim was a well-known artist who was loved by many. He ran the Jim "Shaka" Robinson Fine Art galleries in Phoenix, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia. He was a regular participant in the National Black Arts Festival and many other the events showcasing artists. (b 1960-d 2020)
Rev. Sandy Rodgers, “Mama Sandy” is educator, corporate trainer, author, minister, certified NLP life coach, reiki master teacher practitioner, master gardener and TV film producer, born and raised in Watts California. Her expertise is as a healing foods, plant-based nutrition, and HIV ministerial educator. She created the 2018 Life, Love and Wellness Global, Worldwide Wellness Webinar, an online 10-day wellness webinar. She with 3 other Black Women presented the 2020 Sisters Who Speak Healing & Wellness virtual series, Sistah Heal Thyself. Rev. Rodgers is an Amazon #1 Best Seller Author. Her newest books are - Look In My Mirror, and God’s Groceries…As Nature Intended.
Darlene Roy, an East St. Louis, IL native, is co-founder and president of the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club, and associate editor of Drumvoices Revue, Roy has performed on radio, television, and readings throughout the United States. Her poetry has appeared in St. Louis Muse, Merge Literary Magazine, Literary Chicago, Valley Voices, and other publications; in her chapbook, Soon One Morning and other Poems and her book, Afrosynthesis: A Feast of Poetry & Folklore.
DG Santana is a 26-year-old Atlanta native. He is a writer who has written several fiction books in the past eight years.
Toni Simmons Henson (aka Toni X) is the Producing Director of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, poet, best-selling author, and arts and cultural advocate. Henson is a graduate of New York University (M.P.A.) and Howard University (B.B.A.). She also holds an Executive Master's Certification in Non-profit Management and Women in Leadership. She's been married for 32 years to Antonio Henson and together they've raised four amazing children. Follow via @ linktr.ee/m68m
Raquel Thomas grew up in Mount Zion, a rural community in Georgia. Through her matriculation at Spelman, the esteemed historically Black, all-women’s college, she enhanced her ability to learn from everyone she encounters. Raquel considers herself a student of the world which has influenced her creative and writing style. She finds joy in playing the bass guitar and flute, teaching yoga classes, and spending quality time with her loved ones. She is passionate about serving her community through implementing sustainable living and holistic wellness initiatives in underserved communities. Through her life’s work, Raquel hopes to positively influence others while encouraging authenticity and vulnerability.
Raymond Nat Turner is a NYC poet privileged to have read at the Harriet Tubman Centennial Symposium. He is Artistic Director of the stalwart Jazz Poetry Ensemble UpSurge and has appeared at numerous festivals and venues including the Monterey Jazz Festival and Panafest in Ghana West Africa. He currently is Poet-in-Residence at Black Agenda Report. He is co-chair of the NY Chapter National Writers Union (NWU). Read other articles by Raymond Nat or visit Raymond Nat's website.
Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD, retired professor, is the author of 9 books and writer of Afro-Futurist, eco-poetry, social justice and travel themes, and many scholarly articles. Owner, editor, and publisher of Pacific Raven Press, LLC since 2008. (18 titles) Recent publications: Close Casket; Our Spirits Carry Our Voices; Red Dreams Volcano Visions; Footprints Wings Phantasms; Love’s Seasons: Generations Genetics Myths. Awards: The History Makers (national award), Black Futures Award, Life-Time Achievement (NAACP) award, Knighted in the Orthodox Order of St. John. She recently completed 2 podcasts, lectured on 7 contemporary black artists and the Black Arts Movement for the Honolulu Museum, and performed in several Hawaiian and national poetry readings online.
Jaye P. Willis is a spoken word artist, published poet and playwright from East St. Louis, Illinois. In 2007, she joined the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club and has had amazing opportunities to travel the United States to attend conferences, book signings, and special events. Jaye is published in the 17th edition of Drumvoices Revue, published by Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Crossing the Divide by Dr. Michael Castro, Valley Voices: A Literary Review, published by Mississippi Valley State University and the inaugural issue of Merge Literary Magazine.
Olumide Ted Wilson, born and raised in Harlem is a writer, producer, promoter, and publisher of two books of poetry, Slo Dance and Senses and Shadows and a memoir, Kinda Blue, Memories of a Harlem Ivy League Teenager. He published Let Loose on the World, Celebrating Amiri Baraka at 75 with associate publisher, SE Anderson. He has been a cultural worker since the 1960's in the Black Liberation/human rights movement. His writings have appeared in many journals including: The Black Nation and several anthologies including Black Fire, Anthology of Afro American Writing ed L. Jones and L. Neal.
Colleen Wint-Bond has written articles and training publications on development issues for national and international agencies. Before publishing her first book, Celebrating Me, Colleen coordinated the children’s book Diego Dish and Carlotta Spoon, developed out of a story-telling project of the Caribbean Child Support Initiative. She earned her B.Sc. in Social Administration at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica, and went on to The New School in New York, USA, where she attained her M.A. in Media Studies. Colleen was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She is an independent publisher. Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle.
Rachel Moss, illustrator of Celebrating Me is a Jamaican freelance illustrator and is part of the creative team at Sutherland Wade Associates, a corporate graphic design company.