BRPP 12 by BlaqRayn

PUBLISHING PLUS MAGAZINE ISSUE 12 Promoting Artistic Expression

BLAQRAYN2012@GMAIL.COM BLAQRAYNPUBLISHINGPLUS.ORG

Ravishing

Roz

Page 1.......................................... IT WAS ON MY MIND Page 2......................................... Ravishing Ros: The Model Page 3......................................... Dear Poet Column by Nathan Pearson Page 5......................................... Roz The Model Page 6......................................... Poetry By Rosalind Cherry Page 7......................................... Bow Ties & Bullets: Eric “Crow” Draven Page 8......................................... The Single Mom’s Journey to Graduation by Author Nikisha Mock Page 10...................................... BRPP Books Page 12...................................... Author Tywanda Brown Feature Page 14...................................... Roz the Model Page 15...................................... Books By Crow Page 16...................................... Cover Story: Author Simply Shonda Wade

“Perfectly flawed, how could you see beauty in my scars. .” -Crow

IT WAS ON MY MIND BY MUHJAHID QAHHAR

THE HO THE HOUSEWIFE (Same coin, different value) I marvel at us black men repeating and believing phrases like, "You can't make a ho a housewife." I wanna say, nigga how you know? Have you tried? You say yes but failed. Well, were you even qualified? IT IS LIKE SAYING YOU CAN THROW SOMETHING SO HIGH IT WILL NEVER COME DOWN. If I had no understanding of physics, you could probably convince me of that. BLACK MEN, PLEASE STOP LATCHING ONTO AND REPEATING THINGS YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND...just because it sounds catchy. I saw a video the other week of a young so- called "hood sistah" whereas she was getting out of her car. Another chick ran up on her and took off on her, throwing blows. The girl threw a few back then reached down, pulled a 22. and slapped this chick with the pistol, letting off a shot at the same time. I'm like, damn! I admit, an old part of me was like, "Damn that was gangsta!" Then the older, more knowledgeable, analytic part of me thought about the life she's endured to get her to a point of carrying a gun everywhere she goes. I thought of the misplaced loyalty and courage she posesses. THE GREATER THE SINNER THE GREATER THE SAINT. Meaning, in a conscious, developed state of mind she would make one helluva wife. A modern day Cleopatra. See, no woman was born a ho. She is a princess at birth...then the world happens to her. Many times she is not given a fair chance to grow up. Before she is out of her teens she has grown used to and maybe even developed a desire for multiple partners. Whose fault is that? It took time for that transformation, from pure to contaminated, and some nigga was at the root of it. And some Caucasians were at the root of the niggas. NOW YOU'RE SAYING YOU CAN MAKE HER A HO BUT YOU CAN'T BRING HER BACK...or is it that we don't want to bring her back. After all, there are certain benefits to having access to a large population of loose women. Personal, selfish benefits. I am not innocent, very few men are. Any woman can be brought back with love, a love that consists of the right knowledge and the activation of it. Patience and desire. Most of all, VISION. Understanding the consequences of not bringing her back. NEVER GIVE UP ON THE WOMAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR RACE. That does not make sense and we are not the authors of that mindset. IT WAS ON MY MIND! Muhjahid Qahhar 1

Ravishing Roz

Dear Poet... Welcome to my world. An interesting world at that. Allow me to introduce myself... My name is Nathan P. I first started the "Dear Poet" posts about two years ago in April. Sort of my own style of the 30/30 challenge. It was my way of offering insight, perspective, encouragement and caution to poets on the open mic scene, gleaned from my 15(+) years as a spoken word artist(Nuyorican Grand Slam Finalist year 2000, toured several colleges), poet(2 poetry books and 1 cd), performer (3 poetic off Broadway stage productions), host (7 years at the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe and all points in between) as well as an audience member. The posts became very popular. In early 2014, I discovered Bitstrips and brought the series back using those infamous cartoon panels, once again catching people's attention and imagination. Many people told me I should do a book, but that was not my goal. However, Kim Morrow convinced me I should at least do a monthly column to expand on the brief thoughts expressed in the posts. How could I resist Kim? And so, here it is...Dear Poet, the column. So each month I'll share a few insights on how to navigate the spoken word world, and how to become a better performer. I hope you enjoy, I hope you find it useful. This month's thought..... Dear Poet...when someone compliments your work at the end of a show, don't use that as an opportunity to run through your entire repertoire! A simple thank you will suffice. When you start reciting more poems, uninvited, you've gone from an admired artist to an overbearing soul with boorish behavior. The person who complimented you now feels like a hostage. Worse yet, they may begin to sour on your work. Until next month, stay FunkyGroovyCooL!!! ~~~Nathan P.

R A V I S H I N G

R O Z

MY COUSIN AND PROFESSIONAL MODEL 5

Author/Poet Rosalind Cherry Hear Those Sounds~! Hear those sounds~! they were so beautiful all inside of my head close my eyes see God was speaking to me said child I been there the whole time see why you thinking I was watching over you yes" Hear the sounds of God voice entering inside of head she felt so much at peace all she could do is smile' You sprit sending you to the special place there was musical notes floating all over place, all you have to do close your place the words inside of your mind"

Now you going to begin see the most beautiful place you have ever wanted to be place yourself right there now you begin to sing such beautiful harmony" I can see it all I can even it feel right there inside of my heart God it's because you allowing to have this Gift I receive it I always give you praises" She smile because she allowed herself to unwind she loved the fact how she loved God so how she could pray knowing God show her the way became her special blessings" If ever in doubt take that moment close your eyes believe in the higher power pray see the miracle right before you amazing things appear right before you yes" She sung beautiful songs were made with smile set right there upon her face she realize just how much she was blessed with her her gift giving thanks to God Amen" CopyrightÂŠ Mar 24, 2015

CROW

CROW 7

The Single Mom’s Journey to Graduation By Author Nikisha Mock It all started with me getting fired from a job that I had pretty much dedicated my life to for over 6 years. I worked hard for this company. I’m talking about not just my regular 8-5 hours, no I did way more than that. Whenever the department was backed up, me and my good friend used to work all kinds of hours. We used to come in some days at 4:30am and not leave until 5 or 6pm. Even on Saturdays and occasionally Sundays. Not because we had too but because the work needed to be done and we were good at it and didn’t mind doing it. But then one day, out of pure jealousy, my supervisor found a reason, a loophole in the policies, and fired me. I had been asking to adjust my schedule for over a year so I would be able to go back to school but she never allowed me to do it because that’s just how she was when it came to me. She fired me in June. The very next day, I was filling about my FAFSA and in August I enrolled at the local community college. I started out part-time, just to see if I could handle the load of being back in school as well as raising two small kids. I knew I would find another job soon so I was never worried about that. And I did. By September I was working full-time again plus I still had a part-time job that I had picked up after getting fired from my previous job. So here I was, working two jobs, raising two kids, and in school. By the next semester I figured I could handle it so I went full-time in school. I still had the same jobs, just added some semester hours to my course load. Everybody around me was so surprised but when you put a single mother up against odds, she will not only overcome them she will break through every chain, barrier, and obstacle to get what she set her mind to...

So fast forward two years. The part-time job, which I loved, went out of business and so I was down to one job and now I was ready for graduation. Against all odds and adversity, I walked across the stage after two years and obtained my Associate’s Degree in Social Work. But I didn’t stop there. My grades were decent but not my best and not what I was used too but hey, I figured I was passing and that’s all I cared about at the time. I enrolled in a 4-year college right after graduation and began my journey to receiving my Bachelor’s. Now, I know it sounds like I had it easy but let me tell you, it was everything but. During the course of those first two years, I had to deal with an unruly teenage daughter, a really bad breakup, and bills piled a mile high. But still, I pressed on. I was blessed enough to have a job that allowed us to work split shifts two days a week so during those splits, I worked 8-12 then went to school from 1-3 and back to work from 5-8. The other classes I took online. Yeah, it was a lot and I got tired at times but I was determined to get things done. During my 1st year at NC A&T State University, the job that I had been on for 2 years just became too much for me to handle so I started looking for something else but by now the economy had crashed and jobs were really scarce in my area. The only thing I could find was a 3rd shift job in a lab doing insurance billing. The plus side to it was that it was literally 3 minutes from my house. I had never worked 3rd shift before so I had no idea what to expect. Two things happened when I took this job. 1. I was able to take my classes during the day, the way that I wanted too and I was able to be really involved on campus when necessary but 2. I was literally exhausted. This is how my schedule went: would work from 9:30pm-5:30am. I

I would work from 9:30pm5:30am. I would get home, make sure my kids got up and got ready to catch the bus for school, and I would sleep until about 7:30am. Then I would go to class from 9:00am-2:00pm. I would sleep somewhere between 3:00pm5:30pm then I would get up, fix my kids dinner and make sure their homework was done. I would go to sleep again until about 8:45pm and then I went right back to work. I did this for over a year and till this day I’m not sure how I made it through that. There were times where I literally felt like crying because I was so tired but I had a drive in me that would not let me quit. Along the way I met a friend and I watched him and his determination and his drive to make nothing but excellent grades and he lit a fire in me that I didn’t know I had. I started working harder in school and have been on the Dean’s List every semester since I’ve been at A&T. He made me want to be better and do better. But, just like before, when things seemed to be going really good for me, I was met with yet another obstacle.

After working at the lab for a year I couldn’t take 3rd shift anymore so I started working at a call center and if you know anything about call centers then you know how hard it is to work for them. My schedule was really strict and tight. 10:00am-7:00pm Monday-Friday with absolutely no exceptions. At first I was able to get a job accommodation so that I could still go to morning classes so I would leave for two hours in the morning and then make up those two hours at the end of my shift so that was cool. But in August 2014, I started my senior year and with that came the requirement of going to an internship position every Tuesday and Thursday from 8-5. Knowing full well that my job was not going to allow this, I had to ultimately make a decision. So, I stepped out on faith, found a part-time retail job, and walked away from my job at the call center where I was making really good money. My thought process was that I had come way too far to give up now. A few months after I began my senior year, I lost my father and I was devastated. I lost my mom when I was only 17 so since then it had just been my kids, my daddy, and me. My mama has 3 other kids and am set to be the 1st of her kids to graduate college. I was so looking forward to at least my daddy being able to see me graduate in May but I guess God needed him more. It was a struggle to deal with his brief illness, the hospital visits, the transitioning him to a nursing home and so much more and trust me, I felt it when it came to my school work. Even though I maintained my grades, it was really hard. Still though, I knew I had to press on.

So here I am, a senior in college, I’m doing great in all my classes, still on the Dean’s List. I’ve been accepted into the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative which is a program based out of UNC Chapel Hill and basically gives me the chance to be an intern at the Department of Health and Human Services, working right alongside real social workers, doing the same training and work that they didn’t get until they were actually hired employees. I competed for this program and I feel very accomplished to have been one of the chosen ones. In a little over 2 months, I will be walking across the stage as a Bachelor of Social Work graduate!! I worked HARD for this and I am so excited. I’m so happy that I decided to follow my dreams and to not give up because there were times when I didn’t think I would make it. And in the midst of all this, I have become a published author with 2 books currently out on Amazon and a third one that I am almost finished with. I said all of this to say, that no matter what you’re up against, no matter how hard it seems, you can DO this too! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. If you want it, you will work hard and go out there and get it. The sky is only the limit if you choose to stop there. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and that is not just a scripture, it should be a life motto. Because it is so true. Let nothing and no one stand in your way. Keep going and when it seems like you can’t, remember all the things that you had to go through to get to where you are and that will give you the strength to push forward. I pray these words will be an encouragement to somebody.

The world is yours for the taking. Now go get it! Kisha

As mentioned above, I do have two books out, Love Me or Leave Me Alone Parts 1 & 2, and Part 3 will be released soon! See the links in the bio below. Thanks for listening. Author Nikisha Mock was born and raised in Thomasville, North Carolina and has had a passion for writing ever since the age of 8. Beginning with short stories and then poems, Nikisha says she knew from the start that writing was her first love. In high school Nikisha submitted poems to the school's weekly newsletter and was recognized in local writing contests for her poetry. Writing stories, however, has become the author's main focus. "There's something about being able to tell a story that readers can relate too that just excites me," says Nikisha. When asked what her motivation for writing her first book was, the author stated that her own life experiences with relationships was what prompted her to write the story although the book is purely a work of fiction. Her first published book, Love Me or Leave Me Alone, was released February 4, 2014. The publishing company True Visions Publications, one of many sub-companies of David Weaver, gave Nikisha the opening that she'd been waiting for. She gives credit to True Visions CEO's Nesha Mikell and Natissha Hayden for giving her the opportunity to show the world that she has something to say. Nikisha is most proud of her accomplishments in education so far. She is a student at the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In her spare time, Nikisha enjoys listening to music, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

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Author Tywanda Brown Tywanda M. Brown was born and raised in Newberry SC. She is the proud mother of two boys. Her passion for writing developed at the young age of 11 with dreams of one day being a published author. Two years after graduating from Newberry College in the Spring of 2012 with a Business degree, she decided to make her dream come true. In the Fall of 2014 she released her debut book Love Games. Two months later she released Love Games 2: Love or Lust. In the winter of 2014 she released Literary Chick. Early spring 2015 she release Love and Snakes a book she co-authored with label mate Simply Shonda.

Have you ever loved someone who was married to someone else? Did you feel like you were playing second place but deserved to be his MVP? Most of us answered yes to at least one of the questions and that makes you susceptible to this thing called Love. Take a journey to Newberry, SC for a few Love Games. There you will find multiple Love Games being played, by Newberry's top players.

Journey back to Newberry, SC where your questions will be answered. Did Peter really move Chris in? Did Amber stay with Jason after his latest betrayal? Do Carlos and Stephanie work it out or does Patricia leave Peter for Carlos? Did Tim ever divorce Helen for Theresa? All those answers and more can be found within the pages of Love Games 2: Love or Lust

What happens when two different worlds collide, when loyalty is tested by love and the snakes that surround you. Do you choose the path that was laid out for you or do you follow your heart and see where it leads? Love and Snakes is a modern day love story guaranteed to leave you wanting more. 13

RAVISHING ROS

AUTHOR

Author Simply Shonda was born LaShonda Wade out Little Rock Arkansas. She is the only girl of four kids. She grew up in what most would call the hood but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get caught up in all the hype and things going on around her. Simply Shonda attended Sylvan Hills for elementary to high school. Then went on to Pulaski Technical College where she still attends today. Simply Shonda is also the mother of one handsome little boy by the name of Xavier. Shonda started her career as a writer by first being a dedicated reader which caught the eye of author and publisher of Creative Flow Taj B and Coco Mixon. She was asked to be an administrator in the Creative Flow Playhouse and short while later she was asked to intern as well. Coco and Taj suggested that Shonda test out her skills as a writer and that is how No Love Just Love Making and Author Simply Shonda was born. To date Simply Shonda has six books available on Amazon. No Love Just Love Making parts 1 2, and 3, My man Jamar co-written by Coco Mixon, Literary Chick and Love; Snakes co-written by Tywanda Brown.

SIMPLY SHONDA

Q. How long have you been a part of the industry/business? A. I have been an author since August of 2014. At that time I was signed to Creative Flow Publications. Q. How did you get your start? A. I started out as an admin in the Creative Flow Playhouse. Coco Mixion and TAj B suggested I submit something because I was vocal about the things I wanted to see in books. Q. If you will, give me one pro and one con you have found in this industry. A. The biggest con I have about the industry is the lack of togetherness. I feel like we can all be successful without pulling the next author down. I love that I get to meet so many different people, as in authors, readers, publishers. Q. Has this always been a lifelong dream or something that happened unexpectedly? A. Being an author for me was very unexpected. I have always loved to write but never thought about becoming an author or putting my stories out. I was given the chance by my now publishers Coco Mixon and Taj B. 17

Q. With whom have you had the pleasure of working? A. I have had the pleasure of working with Coco Mixion on My Man Jamar parts 1 and 2 and Tywanda Brown on Love & Snakes. Q. People see the glitz and glamour, but how hard is the work? A. Its extremely hard work, you have to be able to write, promote and communicate with readers. I enjoy doing it most days but sometimes I want to sleep but I cant because being a new author I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss a day interacting with readers or promoting my books. Q. If you weren't doing what you do, what do you think would be your chosen profession? A. I am currently in school to become a social worker. I love talking to people and trying to figure how I can help them. Hopefully I will able to do both working and writing.

Q. Who and what inspires you? A. I love writing and really get inspired by the things that happen around me. On the days that I just want to stop my son Xavier helps me out a lot. I write for myself as well as him. Q. What is your advice to anyone trying to succeed in this industry? A. To anyone who is trying to break into this industry remember to never give it. It may be days when it seems like its not working but trust me when I tell you that it gets greater later. No matter where you from you can make all it work. Q. Any words of encouragement or shout outs you would like to add? A. I have to thank my friend Kosha Jordan for rocking with me. A lot of things have happened for me because she hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t given up on me. Of course to my publisher Coco Mixion and the rest of my Creative flow family I love you guys!!!! To my son Xavier whenever you're old enough to see this know that I love you and I'm doing all I can for you!

Thank you to Author Simply Shonda and Kosha Jordan cospromo@gmail.com COLORS OF STRUGGLE PROMOTIONS colorsofstugglepromotions@yolasite.com

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