Poetry Politics & Life

From Chicago: The Pandemic; Chicago Police Department: Texas Laws and other news.

This week I discuss a short story, part I of a three-part story, on a moment in life that changed the type of leader I wanted to be versus how I am perceived as a leader. I hope you enjoy and if it resonates with you please share it.

This Mother's Day I wanted to talk about the three moms in my life and the transition from Life, to Live, to Love. We all have a path, I am sharing mine. I hope it blesses you all.

The many things going on with police brutality, unarmed Black men treated aggressively by law enforcement to a point of death, the recent killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, the trials of inner-city communities that are all areas of societal pressure that must be dealt with simultaneously! Today, I don't rant, I simply express myself unapologetically.

This podcast shares poetry from Chicago Native Ollie "Hoodraised" Wood from his book Jotted Gems. The conversation this week digs into the escalation in crimes against the AAPI community and the existing rift that exists between the AAPI and African-American community. Until we deal with the role of a White Supremacist country we will never fully be able to understand our community enemy and the laws and policies in place to ensure "minorities" stay divided in America.

This episode discussing parenting in light of the situation with Gospel Recording Artist Kirk Franklin and a recording his adult son released to the public. Special Guest Natalie Taylor, homeschooling mentor, and I discuss

This week I share a story of my first foster mom, my cousin Arlene. She was a complex woman but loving enough to take in two kids from the Ida B. Wells projects on the south side of Chicago. It wasn't easy but it's life.

In this episode, Tony shares how he's insignificantly treated Valentine's Day in his heart while still ensuring he did something to show his wife appreciation "just because". Then a twist happens after 19 years of marriage. Tune in to see how things changed in his view.

This week I share my autobiography in poetic format. Everyone's story is unique and different. Even as we get older we must be careful not to add stories to our stories that delusion the truth. It's the reason I stayed in my childhood as part of my story dealing with and move into adulthood. Bless up and enjoy this and begin to write your own drops of ink!

Today's episode acknowledges the legacy of Dr. King, the implications of his famed Letter from the Birmingham Jail, and his I Have A Dream Speech. The insurrection at our US Capitol showed us how far we haven't grown and Dr. King's words resound more now than ever.

In this episode, I interview Actor Andre Bellos and he talks of his work in Chicago and abroad and his plans for a non-profit to increase volunteerism throughout the United States and the World abroad.

EP10 shares a piece of personal solitude and reflection when God is dealing with us in the midst of our struggles. The mirror of His word is very reflective when we look to the Creator to guide our lives through the Sacred text and come face to face with our own struggles or choices that do not align to our Christian values.

This episode is in memory of all the students lost to gun violence. My tribute to student, Demario Bailey, whom I had the honor of speaking at his memorial at Johnson College Prep 6 years ago. Our great city has a great legacy of inner-city violence and him being murdered around Christmas brings it back to my memory every year since. If you'd like to share your story, please email me at

A follow up to Relationships and the people we meet who change our lives over a course of time even when we don't see them or hear from them at all or as much. I share a piece from my book titled "Glimpse". While I don't believe in soul mates I believe we make human connections that change us forever.

Episode 7 I decided to do an impromptu recording with a dear friend. She's an amazing writer and we are working on a joint unending life poet that we will share in time. I love how she shares the clarity of childhood from an adult lens and how she overcame and still overcomes pain, suffering, and pending trials while pouring love into her children.

Episode 6 shares a piece entitled Beloved. It's about a man, crying out for his wife to return home and restore their love! Do you miss that special loved one. Do you want them back? Will you fight for love?

Episode 5 Discusses the Violence in Chicago and its impact on educational professionals who work their entire lives to help students become their best and the gun violence that leaves teachers with memories and students with lives that will never be fulfilled.

This week I share a poem from the works of Terri L. Johnson, a First Nations tribal member living in Hobbema in Alberta, Canada.

In today's episode, I share a piece calls My Deck of Cards. No matter what life deals you, you have to find a way to navigate it and learn how to play what you are dealt with a lens of gratitude. With Thanksgiving upon us, my intent is to share some of the things I am grateful for in hope that through all the bad cards, you can find something that you are also grateful for.

Today's episode is for men who grew up without fathers and the things they could potentially experience in life in the absence of dad. Father absenteeism is a plague in any community. The call of the streets, the influx of men running in and out of mom's door, and the dark path it can lay on the soul of an individual. I share to help men struggling with childhood trauma use writing as a tool to break free through self-expression.