The power of the spoken word has the potential to change the flow of everything. You possess this voice, this power. You are more than capable of inspiring, motivating, and changing the world around you. It comes from within; use the facts, your drive, your love, to fuel your words to stimulate you and those around you. It can happen anywhere.
You have a choice to say something significant, worthwhile, and remarkable. You have a choice to wake up and say that today will be a great day; those words will set forth a chain of favourable energy, it's your job to follow through with action. As directors of our own film, every day--whether conscious or subconsciously--we create our own reality. Words can be like a double edged sword piercing through the heart of an individual or they can be a way that we heal ourselves and those around us.
Personally, words--in the form of poetry--were a way for me to express my thoughts, struggles and triumphs during my years of living on the streets. I have a great respect and admiration for poets and spoken word artists.
It was with great delight to stumble upon the words of poet and writer Akili Amina. The following is an interview that first appeared in Issue One of KULCHA Magazine, that I published last month.
Akili: My latest poem is called I Rise. It is a poem about the atrocities we as humans face in society and it was a way of expressing my angst and anger that day. I write usually upon whatever emotion or experience that is in the forefront of my consciousness. If I wrote today it would be about the pain and loss that I have suffered recently and how I aspire to look over my shoulder in triumph after reaching the peak of my mountain of adversities.
A: I began writing my poems around May or June of 2008. It was because all of my children left as they were grown and began their own lives. I was left with an empty nest and my thoughts. I began to put them on paper and eventually poem after poem started to flow through me, so I wanted to share them. I started my blog Poetic Dream around that time.
A: I have written two self published books, both on poetry. One I wrote with a very good, poetic friend from California named Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti. You should check out her blog, she is very gifted. Our book was asking for peace in the civil unrest regions of Africa with a interview done by me asking eye opening questions to a political student aspiring African politician.
A: I think writing found me. I noticed some years back that I talked in metaphors whenever I hold conversations bits and pieces of my statements would go great in a poem. I began to want to hold them as if they were a gift from the Universe to me, so I began to write. I have to say thought because of life and the issues we all face I went back and forth.
A: I love Patricia Smith because of her rawness. I love Charles Bukowski because of his ability to take a simple moment in life and use the medium of poetry and make it art. I love Langston Hughes because he was my first. I was only in the fifth grade when I carried his poetry book next to my bosom for weeks until the librarian explained I couldn't check it out anymore. "My soul has grown deep like the rivers."
A: I love, love, love museums! When I lived very close to the DC Metro area, I would spend hours looking at the art in the museums. Some even let you take photos although I am very amateurish. It was the highlight of my life just to walk around museums and look at photography, surrealist sculptures and paintings (my fave), and for some odd reason I like the sounds of the shoes and the low mumble of people talking. Go figure. (smiles)
A: I want to convey love, life, humanity, hope, courage, and overall respect for the art of poetry. I want to learn the craft one day that I have a command of it. I know that I am a baby in the nursery of poetic feats, but I am ready and very very willing to learn. I will continue to take poetry workshops and read poetry writing books on my kindle and mobile device all in respect of the craft.
A: I would advise them to digest the work of others, while staying true to your own style. I would advise them to never get discouraged by the no's you will receive when you are trying to get published. If you are steady on your course, you will win.
Thanks for Akili Amina for sharing her thoughts and story. You can view more of Akili's words and inspiration on her blog at http://akiliamina.blogspot.com/.
Aug 6th – 13th, the IMPACT Initiative hosts its 2nd iStep-Up Summer Program, a week of learning, fun, networking, scholarships, internships, and ultimately self-development, targeted specifically at senior secondary and university students. This year’s iStep-Up promises to be even bigger and better!
If you’re worried…about improving your chances of finding and excelling at a job in your chosen field, the career coaches and career self-assessment tools are on hand to help you.
If you’re stressed…about passing those terrifying employment aptitude tests, the sessions on quantitative and verbal skills cannot be missed.
If you’re passionate…about meeting successful individuals who have overcome similar challenges to the ones you may face in your academic or future professional life, then come and network with the esteemed guest speakers – leaders in their fields who were not too long ago in your shoes.
If you’re smart…and understand the importance of putting yourself at an advantage over your peers who may spend this one week idling away their summer holiday, consider this is your open invitation.
• Interested applicants who cannot afford the course fee should write a 200-word essay on ‘Why I would like to attend the I-Step-Up Summer School Program’ and send it via email to impactnigeria@gmail.com. Selected applicants will be sponsored.
We are so happy that you have decided to support I’mpact One Breast Cancer Foundation. We are a 501c3 nonprofit start up corporation operating out of Gilbert Arizona. At this time, we are fully staffed with volunteers ready to serve breast cancer fighters in their everyday lifestyle and support them in overall healthy living.
Currently, every penny we receive will go directly to fund our program services which will include shipping products directly to our breast cancer patients.
Your donation will make a difference to our breast cancer fighters by helping us provide them with important needs during recovery, treatment and beyond. When you graciously donate to I’mpact One, you are Impacting one breast cancer fighter at a time and easing the burden brought on by expensive and extensive treatments.
Please donate your quality new or gently used bras, prosthetics, wigs and post surgical items to I’mpact One and make a difference!
We welcome retail partners medical supply industries to donate their overstock or discontinued merchandise.
We would love for survivors who have moved on in their journey to donate their gently used items in good condition to help support another survivor!
To schedule a pickup, contact an I’mpact One volunteer by calling 623-738-6794 or mail your items to: