Mareesa D. - Richmond, VA
I'm a tattoo having, hot tamale eating, classic jazz and blues loving, spoken word doing, to the gym goingpoet with a need for speed, fun and laughs with friends
email: all4mdj@aol.com
Christopher Miller - St. Albans, NY
Favorites: Bob Marley, poet-Pablo Neruda, and basketball
When nobody's looking: every night before I go to bed, I go outside and feed my rabbit.
e-mail: Gangan411@aol.com
Bonita Buford - Frankfurt, Germany
I've learned that minorities the world over share many of the same experiences and emotions. I've also learned that beneath it all, everyone just wants to love and be loved.
email: Buford0@msmhtgn.Hoechst.com
Clifford Thompson - Brooklyn, NY
Favorites: Jazz music, playing with my daughters, reading every book I can get my hands on, drawing cartoons (when time permits), drinking beer and whiskey & eating at Acme in the East Village in New York.
email: cthompson@hwwilson.com
Vickie Oliver - Alexandria, VA
Favorites: Dancin' 'til I'm one with the beat. Star Trek/Sci-Fi (fact and fiction), some books, some movies, some people, my people.
When no one is looking: Now, if I told you what it was, then you'd be lookin'. Right?
email: voliver@pbs.org
Breena- Killeen,
TX
Favorites: The Artist formerly known as..., Exercising, Bowling, Dancing, and spending time with the people I love
When no one is looking: I love to dance & sing to myself in the mirror
email: Kemetian1@aol.com
Nwenna Gates - Washington, DC
One day I wish to make a good living writing poetry all day, making the world's people feel the sunshine in their hearts. Many blessings to everyone.
e-mail: ngates@acc.org
Jacqueline P. Walker - Upper Marlboro, MD
Favorites: reading, writing, listening to music and daydreaming
email: jacqueline.p.walker@usa.net
Josef Sorett Boston, MA
Favorites: Listening to jazz, gospel or classical music, Silence and a good book, basketball, and theological discussions.
When no one is looking: I like to spread out on the hardwood floors of my apartment, and meditate.
email: jsorett@aol.com
Shaun Amar - Providence, RI
Age: 19
Favorites: I am African-Portuguese, attending my freshman year of college. Songwriting is my fire, my passion in life and my intended major in college. But poetry is also in my heart and soul. Poetry and songwriting are the true expressions and reflections of my entity to those who may inquire.
email: ShaunAmar@hotmail.com
Sheila Rene Rodriguez - Annapolis, MD
Favorites: Dancing, reading African American Literature, working out, drawing, poetry, jazz and classic rock, the beach, day dreaming, baking, and classic movies.
When Nobody's Looking: I like to sip on a few glasses of wine while re-recording a new message into my answering machine, then trip off all my slurred mistakes after hearing them play back to me; or I just simply lay back and think about my life's past and future.
email: Shelarene@aol.com
Mwalim (Morgan James Peters)- Mashpee, MA
Black-Wampanaog storyteller and writer. He has performed his original folk-tales and lectured on Cultural Aesthetics throughout New England and New York. He has published two one-act plays and one book A MIXED MEDICINE BAG.
email: mwalim@hotmail.com
Kamaria Ngozi - Chicago, Il
I am a freedom fighter who was born and reared in Chicago. It is my duty to be the voice of the voiceless for I am but a volunteer in this war, so come what may, I will fall up to it! Free The Land!!
e-mail: ngozi@secapl.com
Belindia L. Bell Hodge - Harleysville, PA
email: alphalegcy@aol.com
Mwatabu S. Okantah - Kent, Ohio
I am currently a Poet in Residence at Kent State University. I was commissioned to write a peice for the Black History Museum of Philadelphia. I have written two books, "Afreeka Brass (1983) and Collage (1984).
Kene Holliday Virginia
Favorites: The Gospel of Jesus Christ, The book of and the Prophet Exekiel, the scents of nonsense of kids playing baseball, Carvel ice cream dipped in chocolate sprinkles and chopped walnuts
When no one is looking: Somebody's always lookin'!
email: holliday@youthusa.org
Breena- Killeen, TX
Favorites: The Artist formaerly known as..., Exercising, Bowling, Dancing, and spending time with the people I love
When no one is looking: I love to dance & sing to myself in the mirror
email: Kemetian1@aol.com
Shines - Durham, NC
I dream about God's vision for my life, which leads me to write the vision, which causes me to sing a little song of joythen I cry because I have to wait! (smile).
e-mail: selina_hines_at_ncbc@ncbiotech.org
Afrika Afeni Mills - Boston, MA
Favorites: Praising God through the way I live my life, writing,,laughing, reading, music, movies and spending time with children.
When nobody's looking: I sing my heart out along with the radio and I love trying to dance like the dancers on BET Planet Groove videos :)
e-mail: millsaf@bc.edu, sunlocks@hotmail.com
Stacey Michelle James - Little Rock, Ark
favorites: eating chocolate and writing & reciting poetry
When no one is looking: don't know, if I told you what would be the point of doing when they weren't looking? (smile)
email: true1prodigy@yahoo.com
Dianne Bogle - Dover, DE
email: KDEVENTS@aol.com
Reneé SJS Johnson - EL Paso, TX
Favorites: cold weather
email: MYTSEXXY@aol.com
Rachel D. Cooper - Dublin, GA
I am currently pursuing a degree in Journalism at the University of Georgia at Athens.
Age: 21
Favorites: reading poetry and playing piano. My motto for life is "It can be done"
Lisa Wright - Indianapolis, IN
email: Liwright@usagroup.net
Nia Ngina Afi - Virginia Beach, VA
Favorites: cooking and eating good food, music, reading and watching well-plotted and drawn cartoons.
When no one is looking: I assume the spirit of Deneice WIlliam's "Butterfly" and dance
email: BROWNGIRL@MSN.COM
S. R. Thomas - New York, NY
This Manhattan-based writer and editor is currently editing "DARK MATTER: An Anthology of Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Speculative Fiction" by Black Writers" with Martin Simmons.
email: esmarth@banet.net
Shelley Puhak - Baltimore, MD
She is a graduate teaching assistant, is also published in *Shattered Wig Review* among others. She is also a playwright. Her full-length play *Clytemnestra in the Kitchen* has been produced twice.
When no one is looking: I have various neurotic habits and rituals I perform, but I won't chronicle them here.
email: spuhak@udel.edu
Omekongo Dibinga - Boston, MA
Omekongo Dibinga is a senior International History major at Georgetown University. He has just recently completed a study abroad program in Senegal but also spent time in The Gambia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. His long-term goal is to open an African-centered school in Boston.
email: WAKABONGO@aol.com
John O. Claytor - Roanoke, VA
Favorites: Literature, especially poetry and work to encourage African Americans to write.
email: jocclay@aol.com
Stanley Lumax - Plainfield New Jersey
Favorites: writing poetry to express the beauty of different women I have been in contact with, not always romantically.
When no one is looking: I am pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism at Temple University
email: stoneface4@usa.net
Bahati Nassor - Jefferson City, MO
Bahati Nassor is the author of "Brotherman What's Up?" and "Sistergirl! Let Me Tell You!" Workbooks for spiritual and mental growth for African-Americans. Those wishing to purchase send $12.00 per book or $22.00 for a set to JNL PUBLICATIONS, 328 ASH STREET STE B, JC MO 65101.
email: lyonst@mail.dmh.state.mo.us
Nichole C. Kearney - Indianapolis, IN
Favorites: reading, taking care of my new son, and spending time with my husband
When no one is looking: I'm on the telephone calling my mommy and girlfriends from out of town.
email: Nkear@aol.com
Imani Henry - Boston, MA
Activist, Writer, Actor
Her work has appeared in the Evergreen Chronicles and the anthologies, "Does Your Mama know?" and "Virgin Territory II": Lives in Boston, A "mecca" of Gaitity and Dykedom
email: imanihenry@yahoo.com
Baba Lukata - Tulsa, OK
Contributing writer for Pondering Love
Favorites: Whomever moves me. One of the greatest poets of All time was Sam Cooke
When nobody's looking: I make a mean sweet potato pie
e-mail: lukata@panix.com
John Riddick, Jr. - Silver Spring, MD
Chief Editor
Favorites: Jazz music, hip-hop music, computers, movies, chess, travelling, writing poetry, educating my brothers and sisters, strengthening community bonds and inspiring people through Rhapsody Magazine
When nobody's looking: I am doing the same thing I do when they are looking, producing this magazine ;-) I also think of ways to converge deep thought and spontaneous laughter....hmmmmmm
e-mail: rapsodymag@@aol.com
Tylonda Sanders
- Omaha, NE
Contributing writer for The Literary Conscience
Favorites: books, sports, playing flute, writing the notes of popular songs
When nobody's looking: I like to try my hand at writing novels and plays
e-mail: sweetivy04@aol.com
Indira J. Wilburn - Chicago, Il
Contributing writer for Rhythm in Retrospect and Marketing Assistant
Favorites: hip-hop, reminiscing days at Prairie View A&M, and holistic health.
When nobody's looking: I'm the phattest female D.J. rockin' the 1200's!
e-mail: indyjay_what@hotmail.com