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Conney D. Williams

Conney D. Williams

Conney D. Williams is a Los Angeles based poet, actor and performance artist originally from Shreveport, Louisiana where he worked a radio personality. His latest poetry collection entitled “The Distance of Observation was released on World Stage Press in August 2021. He is also the co-founder of World Stage Press. He released two critically acclaimed cds (2015) of his poetry accompanied by music: “Unsettled Water” and “River&Moan." He has two previous poetry collections “Leaves of Spilled Spirit from an Untamed Poet (2002)” and “Blues Red Soul Falsetto (2012).” He’s been published in various journals, publications, and anthologies (Voices from Leimert & Voices from Leimert Redux, Writers Resist, Drumming between Us, and Wide Awake). He’s the former Artistic Director at the World Stage Performance Gallery where he facilitated the Anansi Writers Workshop. He is a community activist and has worked with youth for over 35 years; he was an ordained minister and Youth Pastor in the Church of God in Christ. He hosted a cable television show and recorded a gospel rap cd called L.I.F.E (1985). He was Poet’s Stage Coordinator for the first 10 years of the Leimert Park Village Book Fair; and also the Annual Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival for three years (2012-2014). He has performed his poetry on television, radio (KJLH, KPFK), universities (USC, UCLA, Claremont, CSLB, Antioch, CS-Northridge, and others), cultural events & organizations (Black Arts Festival, CAAM), for the City & County of Los Angeles, across the U.S., and he regularly curates poetry events in Los Angeles.

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Imani Tolliver

Imani Tolliver

Imani Tolliver (she/her) is an award-winning poet, artist, educator, and producer. She is the author of Runaway: A Memoir in Verse. She is a graduate of Howard University where she received the John J. Wright Literary Award, served as Poet Laureate for the Watts Towers Arts Center, and was awarded literary fellowships from the Cave Canem Foundation, the Lannan Foundation, and George Washington University. Imani received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition by the U.S. House of Representatives for her work as the Cultural & Fine Arts Supervisor for the City of Buena Park and a Certificate of Recognition by the City of Los Angeles for her work as a promoter, host, and publicist in support of the literary arts in Southern California. Rooted in social justice, Imani has curated and produced a wide portfolio of arts and cultural programming that celebrates, reflects, and amplifies the voices of diverse communities. These programs have included art festivals, poetry readings, concerts, community theater, youth theater, and special events for large municipalities in Southern California.

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Tanique Somers

Tanique Somers

I was born in Jamaica W.I, raised in the Bronx, N.Y and spent some time in Polk County, Florida. I am an avid reader, world traveler, and aspiring polyglot. I fell in love with the Spanish language in Jamaica where I was introduced to Dora the Explorer, while I lived in Spanish town, St. Catherine. (Go figure). I enjoy watching series and movies from countries like South Korea, Taiwan,India, Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico and picking up some linguistic gems along the way. Not to mention trying out the cuisine as well. I am a lifelong learner. In my time in school, I have acquired a BA in Spanish for Translation & Interpretation from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI) and MA in Spanish: Language and Literature/ Advanced Certificate in Caribbean and Latin American Studies from St. John's University (Queens,NY). My best learning experience, however, was my study abroad year at River Plate Adventist University (Entre Rios,Argentina). My Spanish skills blossomed there. I have worked as a Special Education Coordinator, Direct Support Professional, Language Tutor and also in the Human Services sector as a Case Manager for unaccompanied minors. I believe my life work is to advocate for the "least of these " in whatever capacity life leads me to. Nací en Jamaica W.I, crecí en el Bronx, Nueva York y pasé algún tiempo en el condado de Polk, Florida. Soy una ávida lectora, viajera del mundo y aspirante a políglota. Me enamoré del idioma español en Jamaica, donde me presentaron a Dora la Exploradora, mientras vivía en la Spanish Town, St. Catherine. (¿Que ironía?) Disfruto viendo series y películas de países como Corea del Sur, Taiwán, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia, México y recogiendo algunas gemas lingüísticas en el camino. Por supuesto, probar la cocina también. Soy un aprendiz de por vida. En mi tiempo en la escuela, he adquirido una licenciatura en español para Traducción e Interpretación de la Universidad Andrews (Berrien Springs, MI) y una maestría en español: Lengua y Literatura / Certificado Avanzado en Estudios Caribeños y Latinoamericanos de la Universidad de St. John (Queens, NY). Mi mejor experiencia de aprendizaje, sin embargo, fue mi año de estudio en el extranjero en la Universidad Adventista del Plata (Entre Ríos, Argentina). Mis habilidades en español florecieron allí. He trabajado como Coordinadora de Educación Especial, Profesional de Apoyo Directo, Tutora de Idiomas y también en el sector de Servicios Humanos como Administradora de Casos para menores no acompañados. Creo que el trabajo de mi vida es abogar por los "marginados" en cualquier capacidad a la que la vida me lleve.

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Sequoia Olivia Mercier

Sequoia Olivia Mercier

Sequoia Olivia Mercier is a poet, community organizer, mother, and mental health facilitator. She is a Harlem, New York native who has lived in Los Angeles for the majority of her life. She is a member and former Executive Director of The World Stage Performance Gallery in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. Author, Midnite Rainbow, 2005 

Her work appears in several other publications some of which include: Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady (Excelsior Editions) 2009; Voices from Leimert Park 2006; Voices from Leimert Park: Redux 2017; and  Angels in the Village  2000. In 2021 her Story Portrait was on display in Leimert Park and the California African American Museum as part of a collaborative art project titled, Creating Our Next L.A., organized by LA Commons / We Rise. She was chosen by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) in  September 2021 to receive an award for her poetry which appears in The Right to Heal Zine.

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Kenneth R. Jenkins

Kenneth R. Jenkins

Freelance writer, poet, author of three self-published books, minister, currently a student at Southern New Hampshire University studying for an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and devoted husband living in savannah, GA.

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Yaa Asantewaa Faraji

Yaa Asantewaa Faraji

Yaa Asantewaa Faraji is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, spoken word poet and author of Calabama, a 2021 Amazon Best Selling anthology published through World Stage Press. She is a monthly Da Poetry Lounge slam champion, VoyageLA's 2020 Hidden Gem of Los Angeles nominee and has guest featured at:The Los Angeles Film School, FOX Soul, The Pan African Film Festival and more. Faraji is currently the Writer, Director and Executive Producer of DAYLIGHT. She has worked 8 years in Advertising and 9 years as a public speaker, specializing in storytelling, workshop curation and strategic marketing. She holds a B.A in Advertising and Global Management, and frequently jumps off cliffs to prove to herself that she is still alive.

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AkoldPiece Ofwork

AKoldPiece OfWork

Father, Educator, Writer, Author, Poet, Spokenword Artist & Host. He is a graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in History. This gentle giant has a special gift for creating haiku and short stories accented with his wit and humble personality. AKoldPiece has traveled as far as the motherland "Afraka" to share his artistry. Inspired by the legacy of his father and the future for his sun, AKP, which he is called by many, continues to embrace the unknown, where he finds solace in knowing that the unknown and uncomfortable is where true growth resides. Growing up, AKP stuttered tremendously and was uncomfortable communicating because of it. This caught the attention of his father who told him "to write down what he wanted to say" because when he was reading, his father noticed he did not stutter. In that moment, AKP became a writer. AKP began studying the dictionary and reading every book he could get his hands on. Yet, it wasn't until his dad transitioned that he wrote his first poem entitled "A 12 Page Suicide Letter" in which he dealt with the unexpected passing of his beloved father. Since then, AKP has written a wealth of poems, short stories and Haiku. He is also a published author of the recently released book called "The Weather Report." A book of haiku and what he calls myku. He has also become a well-respected host for his ability to weave his friendly demeanor and humor into his stage time. As a poet, AKP has featured at Black Broncos Rock for Cal Poly Pomona, The Black History Celebration at L.A. Southwest College, The Poetry Festival at Cal State Monterey Bay Flight School (formerly Natural High) of Culver City CA, Xpressions Open Mic of Long Beach CA, and Wednesday Night Snaps of Long Beach CA, Melodic Mondays of Los Angeles CA, Still Waters of Los Angeles CA, PoEx of Los Angeles, Ca, The Gathering of Los Angeles, Ca, SpeakEasy of Los Angeles, Ca. The Soundtrack of Los Angeles, Ca, Funtastic Fridays Infusion Lounge Of Los Angeles, Ca, The TakeOver inside of The JSpot Comedy Club of Los Angeles, Ca, The Extravaganza of Hollywood, Ca, Guess Lecturer for Community Literature Initiative of Los Angeles, Ca, Red Stories, S.W.A.A.M. Inglewood, Ca, Los Angeles, Ca, Poets & Allies, Pasadena, Ca Pasadena Lit fest, Pasadena, Ca Off The Self (Pop up art and live music) Los Angeles City Library, Ca, A Mic and Dim Lights, Pomona, Ca 3rd Sunday Promenade Gallery Open Mic, Pomona, Ca. He is an instructor for Engage (The Art of Active Living) that teaches poetry to elders inside of senior citizens facilities through out Los Angeles County and he teaches creative writing and chess at View Park High School. AKP hosting credits include "Le' Boule," a poetry production in Los Angeles, S.W.A.A.M. Burn This Bridge, Poets Feed The People Speak Easy Open Mic. He has co-hosted at Poets Jazz House, World Stage Anasi Writers Workshop, Flight School Open Mic, On Higher Ground, host for Thursday Night Vibes, BLOG Lyrical Origami, the host for Frozen Vibes, currently the host For Poetry, Friends and Drinks and Co-host The Spot Open Mic. AKP has found a unique way to be a host and poet, a special skill that is similar to an athlete excelling in two sports. In this place of stretch, we acknowledge and appreciate AKoldPiece for what he's continuing to grow into: A-Kolder-Piece of work!!!

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