DEDICATED TO
“I
am my brother’s keeper...”
Eric “Crow” Draven
http://blaqraynpublishingplus.org
Vaneka.miles@Yahoo.com
Author/Publisher Dominique Watson
Dominique Watson is a published author/entrepreneur. Dominique has published twelve books in the genres of poetry, inspiration and urban Christian fiction,
including her most popular series, Concealed Betrayal and Secrets and Deception Series
Dominique is also the Founder and Owner of Diamond M’press Publications. She spends a lot of time mentoring authors and writers through Literary Career Moves, which can be found at www.diamondmpresspublications.com Dominique was voted as AAMBC Author of the Year in 2014. She’s the owner of PEN’Ashe Literary Magazine http://penashemagazine.com Dominique can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Instagram. For more about the dynamic Dominique Watson, check her out at: www.Author-DominiqueLWatson.com
Meet Harmony: The Goddaughter of Zora Young. Harmony is a single mother of two and the product of rape… Harmony has seen many trials and tribulations but through it all and through the guidance and direction of her grandmother, she’s been able to see her way through. At the tender age of twenty-four, Harmony is forced to take on the troubles of her mother, deal with family issues, and still be strong for her children. Gail, Harmony’s mother, is involved with a married man. Making it very clear that Harmony doesn’t want to have anything to do with him or the situation, drama comes knocking at her door not giving her a choice. A man from her past decides he won’t stay away causing Harmony to deal with something she promised herself she never would. And just when things couldn’t get any worse, Harmony comes face to face with the man that destroyed her mother…her father. Take a ride with Harmony as she learns a big lesson on forgiveness, family, and tomorrow never being promised.
JUST MY THOUGHTS By Louisa Wood-Johnson Normally I just scroll by videos of fighting, but for some reason I clicked on this one video and remembered why I don't watch them. These women were fighting hard, punching, kicking and hair pulling. After just a few minutes, the reason for the fight was revealed, one of the girls yelled "messing with my man" and continued to beat her, her friend was trying to beat the girl too. Then two other girls began a second fight and one girl’s entire ass was out!!! The owners of the establishment they were fighting in said to take it outside, they continued to fight. One girl was holding on to the other girls hair and asking for her knife. Not only are you knowingly being filmed, you’re asking someone to give you a weapon???! Dumb Dumb, this is already assault now with a weapon involved, all recorded for social media. Women, stop fighting over a man! We are Queens that deserve Kings. Your issue is with HIM, not the chick he is cheating with. She may or may not know he is in a relationship, but HE does. He is being unfaithful to you, he is lying to you, not her. You are giving him so much control over you...STOP!!! Why are you fighting the girl? On some level you’re fighting yourself, you are hurting, angry and heartbroken, I know. That is why every time you hit her it's a hit to yourself. You need to know, a women is not supposed to be out here fighting, acting out over a man or anything like that. This is not new, women have been fighting over men for ages, but it being splashed all over the internet is new. Now everyone can see you acting ignorant. I don't know where it all went wrong for today's young women? Is it music & music videos? Is it environment, lack of male figures in your life? Is it lack of education??? What has made today's women feel they deserve less than? Like they don't have a choice in the man they pick. What happened to loving ourselves first, being confident and only accepting top of the line treatment? I am at a loss on this one. Somewhere along the way some women have lost the essence of womanhood, of self love, of respecting themselves and gravitated to violence, disrespectful behavior and no love of self. Just know that fighting over a CLEARLY, no good cheating dog, is NOT OK! A real man worthy of your time does not cheat, he respects you, he is loyal to you, he protects & provides, he is engaged in your conversation, he only touches you with love, he makes sure you’re smiling every day. He does not bring drama, disrespect and other women into your relationship. Never lower yourself and call it "fighting for your man.." If you have to fight in the streets to keep him, not only is he not worth it, but he is not yours. No other person can destroy your relationship or "take" your man, he willing chose to be with another.
About the Book: The truth of the matter is, some of the things we go through in our lives are too often left unsaid. The people we love, the situations we face and a lot of the thoughts that go through our minds are conversations that are never vocalized in any way. Truetry: Poetic Conversations is just that. It is life presented as poetry that addresses a lot of personal issues that Don Savant has faced in his lifetime, along with some that are relative to others.
Don Savant was born from the pages of poetry in the city of Spartanburg, SC. Already 25 years old at the time of his conception, he has grown into his love for poetry more and more with each year that has passed. With eight official collections of poetry under his belt as well as a number of anthologies, Don’s goal in literature is to spread love and truth through poetry until no more words can be spoken from his mind. With his poetic theme almost always revolving around love, he has been given the moniker, King of Love. Don’s latest release is the poetry collection Love Skies. The paperback, alongside his other releases, including his Battle of the Sexes Anthologies and other From A Writers POV collaborations are available online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Lulu.com. Savant has also written for From a Writers POV Magazine, PEN’Ashe Magazine and So FYH Magazine. Don Savant can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, and Pinterest. You may also visit his YouTube page and view his book trailers. Follow Don Savant and keep up with his ever-changing but always love-filled thoughts at: www.donsavant.info
A Dream Deferred Dr. King had a dream And even though Progress has been made We have not completely accomplished The goals that he set for us… We are Still asleep Still stuck in The mindset of the past… Hating and Blaming… Pointing fingers and Avoiding the process of Getting to the root Of the problems we still face This is deeper than race It’s an Individual journey That we must Travel together And the trophy at the end is Love Equality Understanding and Acceptance…
Contact information: http://www.twitter.com/donsavant http://www.facebook.com/donsavant www.instagram.com/donsavant www.donsavant.info
The gun has gone off But it seems as if No one is in a hurry To reach That place of togetherness Where we all reside As one
Kristi grew up in small town Oklahoma where friends were family and family was forever.
Black Sapphire
Writing was introduced to her as a form of therapy after her mother passed away when Kristi was 10 years-old, but eventually writing took a back seat to life, and all its real challenges. Writing again resurfaced when she began writing lyrics for the melodies her husband created. Severely self conscious of her writing, it was years before she allowed it to make its public appearance at the urging of family and friends. Through the Facebook poetry community and her quickly growing fan base, Kristi is still learning to love her pen... “I am loving my journey on this path...�
Black Sapphire
Magic INK is a collection of poems by Black Sapphire dripping with her love and passion for INK...the melodies and harmonies created by the written word and the magic only poetry can inspire..
Today She Sat~! in peace it was such beautiful day she felt so different about life itself there was beautiful bird very close to her she actually didn't know he was to be the messenger" He was so close she didn't move at all she was gathering her thoughts there she was outside with Nature seeing the skies feeling the Sun until she bows her head thanking God" Oh what beautiful day it had become no worries at all she looks around as the bird stared into her eyes even as she has her shades ON" Life can be so beautiful she relax sitting on the bench as soon as she rise from the bench she looks up towards Heaven to thank God for all of the blessings received" She thought of the roof over head her family the people who entered her life the very reason she rise to see another Day" She found the
She found the beauty in her life as she seen the light replaced it from the darkness life became even better when she spend more time with God" BLESSED" CopyrightŠ May 17, 2015 All Rights Reserved
Rosalind Cherry
Jayne Phlow
Tiffany D. Glover, aka Jayne Phlow, has been writing poetry for roughly 25 years and performing for approximately 17 years. Growing up as an only child, Tiffany retreated into her own private world of imaginary friends and books upon books upon books. English, Spelling, Grammar and Literature were always her favorite subjects in school and she soon discovered she had a knack for essay writing, entering and actually winning a few contests throughout her middle and high school years. When artists Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morrisette, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott hit the music scene, she was intrigued at how they sang about their loves and hurts and pains, yet made it sound like sweet therapeutic release. She very quickly followed their leads and too began channeling all of her hurts, pains, aggravations, tears and yes, even love here-and-there, into poetry. Anything that Tiffany was unable to find the courage to SPEAK easily poured out of her pen, generating years upon years of notebook upon notebook packed full of her soul. After sitting on all of these notebooks for far too long, she finally listened to the urgings of her family and friends and compiled some of her writings into her very first published book of poetry, “Get a Grip: Spilled Ink from my Soul,” released February 14, 2014. Get a Grip is a searing collection of 30 very grimy, very raw, very REAL poems, the majority of which are based on specific situations, trials and tribulations that she has had to endure throughout her life thus far. “This is so NOT your friendly, neighborhood, happy poetry,” she explains. “Life is not always cute. Some of the moments I chose to write about weren't cute. So I couldn't be cute in penning it. You may not be able to relate to EVERY poem in my book, but I guarantee you'll relate to AT LEAST one.” Jayne Phlow is a contributing writer for BlaqRayn Publishing Plus’ BRPP Magazine, an online magazine promoting all forms of artistic expression, where she writes a monthly column titled "Mamas Makin' Moves," which spotlights mothers, and women in general, making big moves in their careers and communities. She’s also earned editor credits on two recently released autobiographies and she continues to hone her editing skills through working on other authors' works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. She is currently working on her second book of poetry, titled “Phiyah Phlows: Finga Snaps, Hand Claps and Toe Taps,” to be tentatively released around the first of the year, and she regularly performs at various open mics, poetry showcases, empowerment conferences and other events throughout her hometown of Charleston, SC and beyond. She is a single mother to her 15 year-old son, T’Zhean, and is also a recent graduate of Springfield College’s School of Human Services, where she obtained her Master’s degree in Community Counseling Psychology. She hopes to some day use her degree, combined with her love of poetry, spoken word and travel, to empower women battling self-esteem issues to transition themselves from emotionally debilitating relationships.
Poetry is... What it's always been My late-night lover My all-day friend My hand-holder when I feel alone On this massive earth The seed I've nursed since birth Poetry showed me my worth They're the words that God Has chosen me to release In the midst of raging storms Poetry is my peace It turns me on It turns me out It transitioned my diminutive voice Into a shout It makes me believe I'm able to receive It allows me to laugh It allows me to grieve It's my 100 watt bulb In the darkest of night It gives me the strength To continue my fight These sheets become my boxing ring This pen...my gloves And no matter how severe the blood "Phlows" It's still love Poetry is you Poetry is me Poetry is us Poetry is we Poetry is our truth And it's always free Poetry is my permission To be...
Photo Courtesy of: Kim Craven Photography
LET MY MUSIC SPEAK Brooke BK Archilla
Available on itunes, CD Baby and wherever music is sold.
Born Zakariyya Syed Ramadan, Colors started life in Manhattan, Kansas in 1979, where soon after he became a native to South Carolina where he reps and roams to this day. Deciding between basketball and music, Colors always knew music was his destined path. Starting out with the group "Fatal Instinct" where he was known as Sassy G and Sleazy Z. Still pursing basketball, he wore a very colorful shirt one day, and was called colors and it just stuck. From there he started on his own self project called "Shining Through". By June of 96, he had an album and a half written. The summer of 97 was the birth of Dangerous Alliance. Which expanded and decreased in members over the years leading to Colors working on his own recorded solo project "Time Waits For No Man". Today the rapper, promoter, and networker stays very busy. With everything from shows & features on other artists’ tracks, to promoting his double disk mixtape entitled "Where's The Love" that > > > > > > > > > dropped February 5, 2011. Also he shot 7music videos entitled “Keep It 100” featuring Quana P of singing dual NYA “Not Your Average” also shot J.O.B featuring Harmony Ella also Sun Don’t Shine featuring Lady J and Madam Lishes the album version of the song also features Alazae.COLORSBLIND FEAT DAWANNA PRICE N ANJAE,HERE NOW FEAT JEY BROWN,WHERE'S THE LOVE FEAT TAMARA JOHNSON.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyo4O43NBRU,ALBUM VERSION FEAT TIA-G,AND REALTALK FEAT SHALANDA DAVIS Stay tuned more videos to come. Also he’s been working on his long awaited album "Time Waits For No Man, The Progression" schedule to drop june5 of 2012. Colors was also A&R for Jigalow Records bringing in new talents. He also had his own show on NOBODYGRINDS LIKE US DVD Magazine called "THOSE TO WATCH" where he interviews a young upcoming act to the entertainment indy of sc! Currently Colors is keeping everyone in the "know" with daily phone texts about everything from > > > > > > > > > music, modeling, entertainment, and business. > > > > > > > > > The texts are currently $25 per blast to over 7,000 contacts which includes fans, entertainment world, and people you want to know. Colors also > > > > > > > > > promotes everything on Facebook, Myspace, twitter and his site www.colorsnetworkman.wordpress.com. Colors has been featured in write-ups in publications which includes the Post and Courier and as a freelance writer in the Geeche One Magazine. From December 2008 to December 2010, COLORS was a well known promoter of Kween Kat Entertainment aka “KKE”, which is lead by Ms. Anita aka Catwoman aka Kween Katt, Who's been a friend to Colors since 03. He left to start his own company, Long Time Coming Entertainment, but the two remain close. Colors started managing from march17-oct16 2011 singer Tamara Johnson.(Still good friends) His current roster inculdes: G-STEEL,LIL TIA,M.A.G,AND SLIM! Colors mixtape “Spiting Bars Sitting Bars was nominated for 2008 Geeche One Awards for mixtape of the year in 2011 COLORS was nominated for slept on artist of the year at the geecheeone awards and promoter of the year at the leviatate > > > > > > > > > awards.since deco8 Colors even hosts his own every 2nd Sunday Networking SocialEVENt called "MEETING OF THE MINDZ" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvm2I6AJvU which brings artists, models, CEOs, and anything involving > > > > > > > > > entertainment and business together. Colors is certainly not your everyday artist. With a style like no other, punch lines for every bar and word spoken, plus a goal for artist unity to put South Carolina on the map, Colors will catch your attention. In ways you will expect, but definitely in ways you won't expect. > > > > > > > > > COLORS WIll putting out his long awaited and maybe last project his Album Dropping Jan30th 2015his first video off the cd is out now RIDE FOR ME feat TAMARA JOHNSON and Portia crawford http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZeEo_bVC_U who came down from spartanburg sc to record the song and shoot the video! C.O.L.O.R.S also means Creations of life outta real situations he also has the radio show those to watch radio with j-vive, jey Brown and Mrs Keep it pretty that air every Saturday6-8 on kinetichifi.com and those to watch with colors that runs every other Friday on the nobody grind network.CALL8435300064
1. How long have you been a part of the in the business/industry? Since 98 2. How did you get your start? My cousin Rasheeda got me some tapes and I would flip the records and make my own songs that's how I knew I had a gift 3. If you will, give me one pro and one con you have found in this industry. The pro is you can me a lot of great people with your talent just Keep networking the con it's a lot of bs fake people to that want to use you to get ahead or down play what you have going on just because they had nothing to do with the process or feel good talkers who be like hey we should Definitely get up and do something and one they leave your presence so does that thought 4. Has this always been a lifelong dream or something that happened unexpectedly? Life long dream once my cousin sparked it and being a artist got me to being a promoter to being a founder of a great network event (Meeting of The Mindz) a mgr/Co Co of LONG TIME COMINGENTERTAINMENT WITHMYBUSINESS PARTNERS BROWN AND SHONTELL my have Models SHONTELLE, SHARMAINE,SHERRELL&SPARKLE ANDARTIST LIKEDREDried and DREA LEE and hosting on THOSE TO WATCHONNOBODY GRINDS NETWORKANDCOHOSTING ONTHOSE TO WATCH-RADIOWITHVIVE MRS KEEP IT PRETTYAND JEYBROWN ONEVERYSATURDAY6-8pm ONKINETICHIF.COM 5. With whom have you had the pleasure of working? A lot of great friends and family I don't won't to leave any out so we will leave it like that lol
6. People see the glitz and glamour, but how hard is the work? It’s a lot of work to make it happen even more so when you are independent 7. If you weren't doing what you do, what do you think would be your chosen profession? Being a chef, I like to cook and eat 8. Who and what inspires you? God, my mom, my future wife and children. JAY-Z’s Business mind 9. What is your advice to anyone trying to succeed in this industry? Put the work in and sooner or later you will get the results you want. 10. Any words of encouragement or shout outs you would like to add? Keep God first the rest will follow leave... no food on the table, a hungry grinder cleans his plates!