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Kneika Robbins is an author, mentor, speaker, early childhood educator and poet who enjoys motivating people through her work. She has worked with high risk families for over 17 years and homicidal/suicidal children. Her passion stemmed from helping others. After seeing so many people in pain including herself, she had to share with others what helped her get to where she is today. She founded Empowering Minds Inc in order to help empower others to take control of their lives and have hope. Outside of her work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys. She is working on her children’s book series that will help children find their sense of self and obtain self-love.
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We interviewed Ms. Robbins to get a picture of her life and what has inspired her to become an author, mentor and mtivational speaker. She also tells us a bit about her book Pain Changes You. 1. How long have you been a part of the industry/business? I have been writing for over 22 years. I started when I was in the 6th grade. My first writing piece was poetry. My topics were simple and sweet and as life progressed it became more realistic and motivational. 2. How did you get your start? One day my husband saw my notebooks full of poetry and suggested I write a book, so I could share my work with people all around the world. Since the release of my first book. I have been expanding my motivational path with mentoring, speaking, and additional literature.
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3. Who and/or what inspired you to become an author/motivational speaker? My mother was my first inspiration. She wrote a kids book and she taught me all my many talents from artist, writer, and more. She had a calm spirit and was very loving. Although it took me many years to acquire just a little bit of her calming spirit, I wanted to help others. Working with homicidal/suicidal children and high risk families also led me to travel my motivational path. After witnessing so many people enduring pain and hurt in their lives, you want to find a way to help them. They’re already labeled and find themselves being looked down upon, but I want them to realize that their pain does not define their future. Everybody hurts and goes through pain, we just have to find out how to make it through. 4. How many books have you published? Name them and where they can be found. I have published 3 books. Serious Thoughts, Speechless, and Pain Changes You. They can be purchased @kneika.wixsite.com/empoweringmindsinc and Amazon.com 5. If you weren't doing what you do, what do you think would be your chosen profession? I originally wanted to be a doctor. I always had the mentality of saving lives, so instead of doing it medically, I am doing it mentally, which also helps medically.
Author Kneika Robbins at one of her many book and speaking events. 4
6. What is your advice to anyone aspiring to become an author or a motivational speaker? Live your dreams! Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Listen to your heart and go for what you want. We only have one life so make sure that you have control over what you want to do. When we allow others to control our lives then we are living for others and not for ourselves. Then we must ask ourselves, are we really living? What are we living for? 7. Tell us a bit about Empowering Minds and how it came to be. Empowering Minds was designed to help with the 5 cores of Empowerment; sense of self, self-love, self-empowerment, knowledge, and control. I designed this program because too many people are living a life of not knowing who they are as a person, loving themselves, and having control over their lives. Society has become the teacher of other’s; many are programmed to follow rather than lead. The perceptions of others keeps us from being ourselves. People feel like love is lacking from this world, and why that is evident. Another thing we fail to realize is that many are lacking self-love. How can love be shared among others when it is not within? This program gives people hope and empowerment so they can identify the pain that is holding them back, find their sense of self, begin to love themselves, face their fears, and travel the road to happiness. We all want to be happy but many fail to take the steps to get there. Happiness is not a dream, it takes dedication and hard work that will pay off in the end. POWER ENABLES CONTROL; CONTROL REQUIRES RESPONSIBILITIES!
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8.Any words of encouragement or shout outs you would like to add? Pain Changes everyone, it can either make you or break you. Don’t let your pain decide your fate of anger, denial, and hate. We all have a purpose in life and we are unable to find it if we don’t know who we are or love ourselves. This world needs way more love in it and we are the key. All my material is for your mind and helps you think about what we want and need and also help leads us down the right path in life.
Serious Thoughts will lead you to using your own thoughts when it comes to your choices in life; rather than the thoughts of others.
Speechless will allow you to face the many realities of life rather if they are good or bad. Pain Changes You will allow you to face the pain that you have endured in life, each
author’s story will show you what they did to get out of their trials and error of pains to live a better life. Live your dreams! Don’t consume yourself with would’ve, could’ve, and should’ve. Fill it with your dreams and make your dreams reality.
We only have one life, so LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST! We want to thank Author Kneika Robbins for gracing our pages with her presence and for the awesome work she is doing. Please visit her website @ www.kneika.wixsite.com/empoweringmindsinc to learn more about her work, her story and her books, which can also be purchased through her site and on Amazon.com. Be on the lookout, we will definitely bring you more from this awesome woman!
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WELCOME TO OUR IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH:
ERIC “CROW” DRAVEN 8
You had great artistic years in 2014 and 2015, winning awards, releasing the CD INK after over a decade, and the INK Tour. Also, you released your first music video in July 2015. However, 2016 found you kind of quiet compared to the previous two years. Why? I had to take some much needed time to take care of my health. I had a golf ball size tumor removed. I’m grateful the tumor was benign. I had to relearn how to move and take better care of myself. I also lost a few members of family to cancer during this time, which still has an impact on me today. I am working hard to treat me body like I need it to work well for the next 50 yrs if my higher power sees fit to grant me that much time.
Tell us about ScareCrow and the song “Based on Their View”. Scarecrow is a CD. One of a collective of CDs I intend on releasing as the soundtrack for my 5th and possibly last poetry book. The song "Based on Their View" was created as a response to the supporters who often told me how my words and performances had a huge impact on them. I had a woman tell me in was helping her get through the lost of her mother through my quotes. I was unaware.. I was simply writing in my moods, unknowingly inspiring a friend to keep pushing for greatness. I give GOD the glory and am grateful He picked me to do something so amazing in another person’s life. Sometimes we are so blind to the impact we have on others. So "Until my time is up, breathing just ain't enough. I just want to see what you see. Look for me..."
In the last 2 years, (2015-17) you have released 3 music videos. Based on Their View, The Message and Blink of an Eye. Tell us about the thought process behind that decision. Each video and song selected was meant to touch a different part of you. Based on their view I wanted people to know I heard what was being said to me, about me and the impact it had on me. Message, is about the tone of being oppressed and the reality that the lives of people who look like me are considered unimportant until it's fashionable to struggle. Blink is light where the lost of lives and loved ones could unplug your possibilities. It's hope even in your pain, because it would be more painful to be stuck in your hurt than to live in any effort. 9
Can we still expect that final poetry book from you? Yes, this book is in its near completion. It is an intimate argument of strength, grief, sensuality and self love. There are some pieces that are so personal and powerful, I may never have the strength to perform them in public.
What is The Red Room and the inspiration behind it? The RED ROOM is my one man erotic poetry show. I won the 2017 Erotic Poet of the Year Male award via GANSPA AWARDS. As a means to thank my supporters, I put together this performance to show my appreciate. The RED ROOM is a climatic journey in experiences that shape the manner in which we touch others and the way we've been touched.
In early September of this year, you were named Male Erotic Poet of the Year by GANSPA. What was that like? Being named the 2017 Erotic Poet of the Year Male via GANSPA AWARDS, meant the people who read my books, saw my live performances and had access to my daily quotes, say that my words have moved them in the way skin explodes when opportunity removes barriers. For that, I will forever be grateful.
What’s next for the artist Eric Crow Draven? I'm not sure what’s next. My higher power has a plan and I'm trying to get in line. Poetry may not be the way in which He wants to use me, But it maybe the stepping stone to bring me closer to where I am required. And, I am open to His movement because His mercy is the only reason I’m still here today.
Where do you see yourself artistically in the next 2 years? In the next two yrs, I pray I’m still among the living. Creating works of art that inspire movement where legs could never dream amid carpenters who build success in areas where we are still being told "that's not your water fountain." Interview with Eric Crow Draven by Kim Stephens 11/2017. Pictures: Courtesy of My Last Writes LLC & Clash Custom Design
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BY: kRISTI mcGEE
What do you deserve? I mean, do you deserve a new car?
Do you deserve that new outfit? Or, do you deserve to be whole and complete within yourself? How do we know what we deserve? Where do we draw the line between deserve and want?
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Atlanta, GA based prominent businessman / rapper Da Mind is making a major name for himself! After the release of his current single I'm New, Da Mind has been gaining popularity not just in the Southeast region of the US but all over the globe with the additional assistance of the internet, The Giant Blast and even Blacktopia. Da Mind and his music is also gaining a lot of popularity through the members of the prestigious Blacktopia facebook group and listeners of the Blacktopia Round Table Talk Radio show. Get more updates on Da Mind and his music at his official promo blog www.DaMindblog.blogspot.com 15
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Mona was born Mona Altidort on March 8, 1973 in Elizabeth, NJ. Although Mona was born here in the United States, she started her early education in her parent's birth place, Cabaret Haiti, where she moved when she was only two years of age. Upon returning to the states at the age of six , Mona was not able to speak a word of English. As time went on, she slowly learned English, however she lost her ability to speak French. English became her primary language as creole, not quite French, became her secondary.
Mona's love of writing became apparent at the age of twelve. Her ability to create a plot to a story and fictional characters on the spot didn't go unnoticed, as she started winning different essays and short story competitions. By the age of 15, she was writing countless short stories, poems and eventually developed her love for writing screen plays. In 2003, she wrote a short screen play called "Why Me" and from there, her passion grew. Mona is thrilled she's finally able to share her gift with the world. She currently has more projects she’s working on. Mona is a mother of three beautiful girls and again resides in her native New Jersey. I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with this rising literary star.
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1.How long have you been a part of the industry/business? I’ve been a part of the writing industry for about two years now. Prior to becoming a published author, I was an avid reader. So, once I made that transition, I felt as if I was no stranger to the industry.
2.How did you get your start? My start came about in August of 2015, after becoming an admin for Talk of the Heart reading group, which was created by authoress Ivy Symone. Ivy was one of my favorite authors and when I saw the post, that she was looking for admins for her new reader’s group, I jumped at the chance. From there a friendship gre and I shared my love for writing with her. After sharing my idea for my series, My Brother’s Wife, my writing career grew from there.
3.Who and/or what inspired you to become an author? I’ve had a love for writing since I was a little girl. Since the age of twelve, I wrote poetry and a series of short stories. As I grew older I discovered a love for plays and screenplays. Story ideas always came easy for me. A few years prior, the plot for a love triangle between three childhood friends formed in my head and there was just no stopping it. Once I shared the plot with Ivy Symone, she fell in love with it and that prompted my career as an author. Part one was published in December of 2015 and has been a huge success.
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4.How many books have you published? Name them and where they can be found. I’ve published a total of five books so far. My Brother’s Wife, My Brother’s Wife 2, A Man’s Heart, My Brother’s Wife 3, Forbidden Love, Unforbidden Heart:A Short Story).All can be found on Amazon.com in only Paperback at the present time. However, My Brother’s Wife series will be available once again in KU before the end of this year. 5.If you weren't doing what you do, what do you think would be your chosen profession? I am actually living my dream. I’ve always wanted to be an author. I am looking to build my brand. I want to write great books, tour and meet my supporters. I also see myself branching into the movie production industry. I want to produce and direct my own films for the big screen one day.
6.What is your advice to anyone aspiring to become an author? My advice is: Stay true to yourself. Keep believing in your dreams. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Never let anyone crush your dreams. Stay true to them as well as yourself. 7.Any words of encouragement or shout outs you would like to add? I encourage all writers to keep writing and never change your writing style for anyone. I want to give a special shot out to Ivy Symone. You are my mentor and a true friend. Also, special thanks to my Creative Pages Publications family. And last, but definitely not least, special shot out and Thank You! To my readers and supporters! I love you guys for all of the support and love you have given me. A very special Thank You to Kosha Jordan. Thank you for your support and this wonderful opportunity with BRPP Magazine. 19
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We would like to thank Author Mona for her presence and for her wonderful contributions to the world of African American Literature and literature as a whole. We wish you Godspeed in all your endeavors and the realization of all your dreams and goals. We look forward to your first movie. Make sure you visit Amazon.com and get your copies of all Mona’s titles and keep your eyes open for her upcoming works! 21
Get Pain Changes You and all Kneika Robbins books @www.kneika.wixsite.com/empoweringmindsinc & on amazon.com.
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AUTHOR NICOLE MARTIN HILL
Imagine having a Wife, mistress and a chick on the side!
When you realize the man that shares your bed is the devil incarnate!
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Get familiar with Florida based rap recording artist and prominent businessman MOBB BOSS. Mobb Boss has been featured on many prestigious websites such as 50 Cent's ThisIs50.com, Waka Flocka's Supastars Online Magazine, Blacktopia, Black Vibes and more! Get more updates on his official promo blog at www.MobbBoss.blogspot.com
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Available on Amazon.com
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