Category: Literature

Poetry/Literature/Radio: AUTHOR QUENTIN WRIGHT “ECLECTIC DREAMS”

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Que Wright, born in Chicago, IL, found his love for poetry attending Gwendolyn Brooks Junior High and it continued in high school, while on the verge of failing Junior year English at Thornton Township High School. The poetry unit saved his semester and grades when his teacher, Ms. Milsap, allowed him to perform his poetry for extra credit.

Enrolling in honors Speech, the following semester gave him the confidence to keep writing and keep performing. Que would go on to attend an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Bowie State University in Maryland, obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Communications Broadcast Journalism. He also holds a Masters in Secondary Education from GCU.

Que currently teaches Creative Writing at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School and is an award winning DJ/Radio Personality on Dash Radio, based out of Los Angeles on the “Big Heff Radio Show.” It’s nationally syndicated in over 23 markets.
Recently, Que Wright published his first book “Eclectic Dreams” on March 25, 2021 under the Absolute Author Publishing House. It is currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


GO BANG! Magazine: Congratulations! You published your first book of poetry “Eclectic Dreams.” Please tell our readers all about your book and what inspired you to write it.

Que Wright: My book “Eclectic Dreams” was inspired by everyday life. I consider it a poetic memoir.

GO BANG! Magazine: When did you realize that you had a gift for writing poetry?

Que Wright: I realized my gift for writing poetry years ago when I was still in high school. I started performing my poetry in my high school English class for extra credit.

GO BANG! Magazine: What is it about poetry that ignites a fire in you?

Que Wright: It allows me to write exactly how I feel and describe my inner thoughts in so many ways.

GO BANG! Magazine: How would you describe your poetry to someone that may not be familiar with you?

Que Wright: My poetry is abstract realism.

GO BANG! Magazine: Who are some of the poets, past and present, that inspire and/or motivate you?

Que Wright: Some of the poets that inspire past and present would have to be R.H. Sin, Rupi Kaur, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Tupac, Jhene Aiko and more.

GO BANG! Magazine: Some people categorize poetry and spoken word as the same. Others say that there is a definite difference. How would you describe the two and are you a spoken word artist?

Que Wright: I think the act of performing poetry is spoken word. I would not consider myself a spoken word artist, just an artist. I think poetry is my safe space to design culture, however I see fit.

GO BANG! Magazine: In addition to being a published author, you’re also an award winning DJ/Radio Personality. Please tell our readers about your DJ career.

Que Wright: I have been a DJ for over 10 years. I have been on one of the best syndicated Hip Hop shows on Dash Radio, based in Los Angeles the “Midwest Monsters Radio Show” and I have been a DJ on the Big Heff Radio show. I also made my national Radio debut in 2018 on The “Sway In The Morning Show” on Sirius XM as a guest mixer.

GO BANG! Magazine: Please describe your role as a Radio Personality on Dash Radio.

Que Wright: I interview artist and help “indy” artist have a voice on my new wave artist segment.

GO BANG! Magazine: Obviously education is important to you. You attended an HBCU where you earned your Bachelors of Science degree and then went on to GCU and earned a Master’s degree. How do you describe your passion for education and why was it important for you to attend an HBCU?

Que Wright: Attending an HBCU was one of the most important decisions I made in my life. Bowie State University in Maryland is one of the best colleges and places. I was able to attend and obtain my bachelors. I would recommend an HBCU to any young Black person on their educational journey to attend.

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Que Wright: I’m just trying to stay healthy and keep my family safe by following mask mandates and just staying home and not putting people at risk.

You can purchase Quentin Wright’s book of poetry “Eclectic Dreams” on Amazon


Follow Que Wright on social media at: @QWrights and @DJQueEleven

 



Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Business/Literature: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF GO BANG! MAGAZINE

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On November 24, 2019, I accepted an offer for my dream job with a radio station, as a freelance writer and social media manager. This was my first time fully pursuing my dream of being self-employed, so I took a leap of faith and accepted the position, as a side hustle to my main job. I could work from home as well. Everything was going well on the dream job. I felt that the job was secure and it was paying twice the pay as my main job. I continued doing both jobs and on December 20, 2019 I went on vacation from my main job.

From December 20th throughout the holiday season, I was on cloud nine, loving my new career. While on vacation from my main job, I had time to really think about what I wanted to do. I decided that I was sick of my regular “9 to 5” and I should pursue my dream full-time. My new dream job was a part of the iHeart Media family.

On January 6, 2020, when I returned from vacation to my main job, I submitted my letter of resignation, effective immediately. I was fully self-employed. Unfortunately, the next day, my dream job let me go, due to a massive and nationwide iHeart Media lay-off. Last hired, first fired. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Yesterday, I had two jobs and today I have NO job! Fortunately, I was eligible for Unemployment Compensation.

Since I’m home and got free time, I decided that now that I am unemployed and have plenty of free time, this would be the best time to go on a vacation. What better place to go, to lift my spirits, than New Orleans, Mardi Gras, on Fat Tuesday! So that’s what I did…me and my homie. From February 23, 2020 thru Wednesday February 26, 2020 I had a ball. This time included Fat Tuesday, February 25th. I had a great time, but I found that the people and the city were too slow for me. I’m high spirited and swift-minded and I found the city to be too laid back for me. So, I won’t be retuning there.

When I returned home, I learned of the Coronavirus and that it was spreading very fast in New Orleans. Luckily, I’d left just in time and didn’t really interact with many people, because I wasn’t feeling the city, as I stated already. All of my loved ones and friends reached out to me to make sure that I wasn’t sick. I wasn’t. Thank God!

Now it’s March 2020. On March 11, 2020 the Novel Coronavirus Disease, COVID-19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. On March 13, 2020 a national emergency was declared in the United States concerning the COVID-19 Outbreak. The world has been shut down and everyone is locked down in their homes. WTF!!!

Now back at home during this time off, and with me already being a published writer, I wanted to kick it up a notch and start my own online magazine. I have always wanted to do that, but never had the time to invest in starting it. NOW I HAD THE TIME! The world is on lockdown! I pivoted from being an author to being a publisher.

The purpose of my magazine would be to enlighten my readers with stories, people and events that are making POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD, highlighting known and unknown individuals and events.

So, on April 1, 2020 I launched the first issue of my magazine, GO BANG! Magazine, (www.GoBangMagazine.com) with NO START UP MONEY and NO publishing EXPERIENCE. Having worked with historic and iconic media outlets such as The Chicago Defender Newspaper, N’Digo Magapaper and the Soul Train brand, I was fully groomed to start my own. All I had was a vision, passion and a dream! I would now be the CEO, Publisher, Senior Editor and Journalist, as well as the Promoter and Publicist.

April was just one month after COVID-19 was categorized as a pandemic. As I said, the world shut down, so the timing of my magazine couldn’t have been better. Everybody was at home and had nothing to do. Why not read GO BANG! Magazine?


September 2020 marked GO BANG! Magazine’s six-month anniversary. At this point, GO BANG! Magazine had been received overwhelmingly great across the planet, not just here in the United States. GO BANG! Magazine is global and includes readers in United Kingdom, China, Nigeria, Australia, Germany, Spain, France, Japan, Saint Lucia and United Arab Emirates. WOW, WOW & WOW!!!

I’m told that the public loves the in-depth interviews and the people that I select to interview. Many of the interviewees have commented on how they love the way I conduct the interviews, which are via email, the questions asked, and how they are allowed to fully express themselves, with no restrictions.

November 2020, I accepted a job with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership as a Lead Contact Tracer. I had always wanted to help rid the world of this deadly pandemic, and now I had the chance. This was a work-from-home position, so it wouldn’t interfere with publishing my magazine. My Contact Tracing duties include: leading 16 Contact Tracers in contacting individuals that may have been exposed to COVID-19 thru close contact with a COVID-19 infected individual and provide them with information and guidance to interrupt/reduce the ongoing transmission of the disease by obtaining symptom information, advising them to self-quarantine and to monitor their health, assisting exposed individuals in getting tested, connecting individuals to resources and support during self-quarantine and self-isolation.

March 2021, I initiated accepting promotional ads and offering sponsorship packages to individuals and businesses. As of now, ads are my focus. In the near future, as the world opens back up, I will focus on GO BANG! Magazine sponsored events, and therefore my focus will be more on soliciting sponsorship packages.

April 1, 2021: Celebrating ONE YEAR of publication, GO BANG! Magazine has achieved what many other media outlets haven’t.  April 1, 2021 marks the ONE YEAR Anniversary of GO BANG! Magazine!  In that one year, GO BANG! Magazine has become the reliable source for in-depth interviews and an internationally global successful medium.  The magazine has interviewed hundreds of celebrities and everyday individuals.  It proudly boasts, having readers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, Italy, Nigeria, Australia, Germany, Spain, France, Japan, Saint Lucia and several other countries.   

In addition to that,  GO BANG! Magazine is now offering reasonably priced monthly AD SPACE  and seeking SPONSORSHIP opportunities for businesses and/or individuals interested in sponsoring upcoming events produced by the GO BANG! Magazine brand. 

In addition to the magazine, I have also launched a newsletter which creates a database of my readers and followers. I have sister sites of the magazine on all social media platforms as well. With all of these platforms, it has given me an audience to promote and sell merchandise, as well as fundraise. I have created promotional facemasks, hats and shirts with the GO BANG! Magazine logo on it! The items have been received positively by the public and sales have been great!

I am proud, amazed, thrilled and thankful for the first year of GO BANG! Magazine and I look forward to more years to come.

What I have learned during this wonderful journey is that you must be creative, be persistent, trust yourself, have faith, hang in for the long-haul, be flexible and always be willing to learn more about your field of business.

I had a DREAM…
COVID-19 Pandemic gave me TIME…
GOD gave me the GIFT to……

GO BANG!…

I DID!



Thank you ALL for your past, present and future support!!!!



Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for: SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Business/Literature/Dance: ENTREPRENEUR PIERRE A. EVANS’ interview on “Living On Purpose” podcast

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

Photo credit: Yortel Photography

 

INTERVIEW LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR7SioQVohs&feature=youtu.be

On this episode, LIVING ON PURPOSE had a conversation with entrepreneur and author, Pierre A. Evans. He gave us an in-depth look into the creative process of his book “Inside The Minds of Entertainers” and other fascinating subjects.

Pierre’s debut book “INSIDE THE MINDS OF ENTERTAINERS” is available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Mind-Entertainers-Thought-Provoking-Celebrities/dp/197785446X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pierre+a.+evans+inside+the+mind+of+entertainers&qid=1606610296&sr=8-1

Interview link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR7SioQVohs&feature=youtu.be

You can follow Pierre A. Evans on all social media: @PierreAndreEvans, @GoBangMagazine, @InsideTheMindsOfEntertainers, @HouseMusicDanceClassForHouseMusicLovers, @AndrePierreTheDancingMachine

Websites:  http://www.InsideTheMindsOf.com

Literature: JESSE SAUNDERS TO RELEASE NEW BOOK ENTITLED “In Their Own WORDS”

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Chicago, May 11, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THE ORIGINATOR OF HOUSE MUSIC, JESSE SAUNDERS TO RELEASE NEW BOOK ENTITLED “In Their Own WORDS” FEATURING 83 INDIVIDUAL STORIES FROM CHICAGO AND AROUND THE WORLD JUNE 4, 2020


Jesse Saunders, The Originator of House Music, is proud to announce the release of his second book In Their Own WORDS. Following up on the critically acclaimed ‘House Music…The Real Story’, Jesse has delivered a book for the people by the people….‘In Their Own Words’ paints a picture of what House Music means, not to the superstars of the industry, but to the ordinary men and women have been touched by the music in the most significant of ways.

This is how it started for them and is an indication of why they continue to love House Music. The Prologue from Jesse himself outlines the timeline of House Music, how it emerged from the days of Disco, and found its place among a planet of House Heads. This is where the sun began to shine for so many; where only darkness had been before. This is why House Music will always be at the center of their lives and ‘In Their Own Words’ a place of belonging.

House Music has always been more than just a type of dance music. It introduced a sentiment of love, peace, and beats to a very troubled Chicago community in the 1980s and from that seed, it became the global phenomenon that we see today. The narrative reflects moments in time and space that speak to the effect it has had on people. It explains why it means so much to them and why they continue to immerse themselves in a genre of music that owes much to Jesse himself.

This is the story of Disco, House Music and Electronic Dance Music from the people who lived it, loved it, and discovered it along the way… Available via Amazon June 4th.
# # #

Chapter 1: Disco Defined
Chapter 2: The Disco Years
Chapter 3: Chicago – The Mecca of House
Chapter 4: Chicago – House Music Is Born
Chapter 5: The Movement
Chapter 6: The Rave Culture

Available for pre-release @ Amazon

Soundtrack:  https://www.traxsource.com/title/1360502/Jesse-Saunders-In-Their-Own-Words


Film/Music/Literature: YVETTE McWHORTER

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Yvette McWhorter, a cannabis industry worker, can usually be found journaling or jotting down ideas for original books, movies, plays or songs.

Writing a book has always been on her bucket list. With her current manuscript “Steppin In The Key of Love” on the horizon, Yvette is that much closer to making her dream come true.
Her love for theater began with a third grade class trip to the Schubert Theater to see “Pinocchio.” Many years later, in response to the crack cocaine epidemic, she wrote her first play “Inner City Blues.”

Music has always been her first love. Ed “Get Down” Crosby and Pierre “Playerre’ Evans were the first producers to appreciate and record her sultry alto vocals.

When not engaged in thinking of ways to tell stories about things people haven’t already heard, you can find her relaxing at home with her dog Fancy, or doing karaoke.

GO BANG! Magazine: As a multi-talented artist who writes plays, books, films, and can sing, you are highly gifted. Which of your talents did you discover first and how did it reveal itself to you?

Yvette McWhorter: I would have to say it was singing. So, I must have been about ten years old when “Sweet Thing” by Chaka Khan was released. My friends and I were on the porch listening to the radio and as soon as I heard that guitar intro, I went into full Chaka Khan mode. I was doing my little Chaka dance and everything. When I started singing, I shocked myself. I knew I LIKED to sing but I didn’t realize I COULD sing until that moment.

GO BANG! Magazine: The theater bug bit you early in your youth, while you were in third grade. That sparked a fire in you that burned deep inside of you for years. You were inspired to write the play “Inner City Blues.” Please tell our readers about your play, its message, and if you still are planning to showcase it again.

Yvette McWhorter: I started writing “Inner City Blues” during the crack cocaine epidemic. That was a really painful time for black people and I wanted to express my pain the best way I knew how. As you can tell by the title, Marvin Gaye was my inspiration, specifically, the “What’s Going On” album. That album just felt like the soundtrack for everything that was happening during that time. Mothers were losing their sons to gang-violence. We were being vilified in the media nightly. The music industry was producing videos and song lyrics that reflected and sometimes glorified it all. The message that I wanted to convey was no matter how bad things were, black people had seen worse and we still managed to survive.

As far as future plans to showcase it, I never say never. It would definitely have to be revised. One of the changes I would make would be to change the dialogue to narration and let the Alvin Ailey Dancers tell the story through music and choreography, if that makes sense.

GO BANG! Magazine: Vocally, you have a distinctive tone. Over the years, you have hit the studio and laid your soprano voice on the tracks of two producers. Please tell us about those songs, the experience, and if “YUMMY” plans to hit the studio again anytime soon.

Yvette McWhorter: Well, first off, I couldn’t hit a soprano note if my life depended on it. LMAO. I sang alto in acapella choir in high school. Anyway, a very good friend of mine, Ed “Get down” Crosby, was the first person to see potential in me as an artist. Ed was one of the original members of the” Hot Mix 5” on Chicago radio station WGCI. He was very talented. I was flattered when he told me that he thought I was good enough to make it to the top. I believed it too. The problem was that the studio scared the hell out of me. We ended up recording two songs that could’ve been great, had I just let my creativity flow. We both knew neither of the songs were a true representation of my abilities.

A few years later I was introduced to Mr. Pierre “Playerre” Evans. If I remember correctly, Pierre you were looking for backup singers, right? The original singer for your song “Mind Groove” had been sick and couldn’t make it to rehearsal for a few weeks.  The song “Mind Groove” was meant to be a duet, but you were doing both parts at rehearsal. Then one day you asked me to sing her part. I’d been listening to the song so much that it felt natural and the nervousness I always feel when I sing new material was barely there.

When you let me listen to the other young lady doing the song, it sounded great and she had a beautiful voice. But I thought the lyrics called for a more potent voice and a “stand your ground” kind of attitude.  I was older and had been through some stuff. Soooo…..l brought ALL THAT to the song. You and I had great chemistry and your confidence encouraged me to find some of my own and I thank you for that.

I don’t know if I want to record again, but I’d love to sing with a cover band.

GO BANG! Magazine: As a screenwriter, you write scripts for television and film. Do you have any written scripts or scripts in development that you can speak of at this time?

Yvette McWhorter: I have ideas that I am trying to develop that can be adapted to stage or screen. However, I find the direction that the movie industry seems to be moving in very interesting. Coronavirus has forced block buster movies off the big screen and onto cable networks. Netflix and Amazon Prime have been really stepping up their game with original content. So, there are opportunities for new film makers with new ideas.

GO BANG! Magazine: Currently, you’re finishing up your first book entitled “Steppin’ In The Key Of Love.” Please describe to our readers the process of writing a book, what your book is about, and when it will become available for our readers to buy.

Yvette McWhorter: Whew! Where do I start? Well, for me the process was probably unconventional. My initial goal was to find an original backdrop and then weave a story around it. My mother is one of what I call the pioneers of “Steppin.” The stories and pictures she’s shared with me inspired me to write a book to pay homage to all steppers. I like a good love story. So, I decided to write a story about a spoiled, strong willed woman who’d grown bored with her loving but predictable spouse. She sets out to find the excitement she craves on the dance floor.

After a VERY rough draft I sent my work to an editor. I knew it wasn’t ready, but I wanted her to point me in the right direction by showing me what I had done wrong. She started by telling me that my idea was very original, but it needed a lot more work. During the time I was working on a second draft, a friend tagged me in a Facebook post with a link to a Sun-Times article and she said, “this reminded me of you when I saw it.” When I went to the link I was horrified. It was an article about a new show that was premiering, and it was about Steppin. I knew this wasn’t a case of “same idea, different people” before I even saw the show.

The producers that were being interviewed didn’t even bother to use their own words to answer the questions about the show. They used thinly veiled quotes directly from my work. I can’t prove it, but to quote Erykah Badu “I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit.” In other words, I know my work when I see it. Once I saw the show, I laughed because basically they created a different set of circumstances for their lead characters by doing the opposite of everything I did. In my version my couple was married with no children and having marital issues. Their couple was married with children and started out happy. Get It? But, character personalities, occupations, physical descriptions, and Chicago geographical locations that were specific to my story were all included.

I was livid but, in a way, having my work stolen was a huge compliment. I knew it had potential no matter how much work it needed. Having it stolen and produced by a network just proved me right. I have no desire to finish the book after what has happened. The thing about being creative though is you have a million ideas where that one came from. I would however like to see “Steppin’ In the Key of Love” done RIGHT, as a limited series.

GO BANG! Magazine: Of your talents that we have spoken of, which is your favorite and why?

Yvette McWhorter: Music speaks to my spirit more than any other form of artistic language. Singing allows me to express my emotions, no matter what they are. It engages all of my senses because I am fully indulged. If I am singing about a man’s cologne, I smell it. If I am singing about a broken heart, I feel it.

On the other hand, writing allows me to create a world that I control. It takes me away from reality completely or lets me manipulate it in fun or sometimes insane ways. I lose track of time when I’m writing because I am totally immersed in that world at that time. So, both singing and writing are my favorite, at different times.

GO BANG! Magazine: What inspires or motivates you to create?

Yvette McWhorter: A lot of what I write is inspired by bits and pieces of real-life events or people, sprinkled with fantasy. Much of it is something I myself may have experienced or how I believe I would respond to something if it happened to me. Then other times I could be sitting there doing something totally unrelated to writing, and my little Gemini brain will say “hey, wouldn’t this be a good idea for a book or movie?” LOL. Welcome to my world.

GO BANG! Magazine: If you were given the opportunity for one of your dreams to come true, what would that dream be?

Yvette McWhorter: When I worked for the Department of Corrections, I wrote plays for the inmates to perform. There are so many talented people behind bars that I was never at a loss to find someone to fill the roles. And very well I might add. They were grateful to be a part of something positive, but I was granted the reward of seeing my work come to life. One day, I would like to see something I have written “green lighted” and produced with my name on the credits.

GO BANG! Magazine: What should our readers be on the lookout for from you in the near future?

Yvette McWhorter: Right now, I write when the mood strikes me. As I mentioned, I’m still trying to get a producer in Chicago interested in doing “Steppin In the Key of Love”. I still think it’s a great idea, even if I have to change the storyline. Chicago deserves a story about what WE created to be told from our perspective.

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Yvette McWhorter: Covid-19 has given meaning to the phrase “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to it.” I have taken this time to think about how to move forward in our new world. I’m thinking about how to seize opportunities that will be available. I want to live the best of my life for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, that may mean letting go of people, places and things that haven’t served me well in the past. It means holding myself accountable for not being where I want to be. I quarantined alone so it’s a good thing I like my own company. So, all things considered, I am well.

GO BANG! Magazine:  JOIN US IN WISHING YVETTE McWHORTER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (6/1)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Link to “MIND GROOVE” Song:  https://www.reverbnation.com/playerre




Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Poetry/Literature: JOHN W. FOUNTAIN

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A native son of Chicago, John W. Fountain is an award-winning columnist, journalist, professor and author of the memoir, True Vine: A Young Black Man’s Journey of Faith, Hope and Clarity (Public Affairs, 2003) and Dear Dad: Reflections on Fatherhood (WestSide Press, 2011). His essay, “The God Who Embraced Me” appears in National Public Radio’s book, This I Believe (Henry Holt Books, 2006), as part of the nationally acclaimed series initially started by Edward R. Morrow. Fountain is a professor of journalism at Roosevelt University and a weekly freelance columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. In 2016, 2014 and 2011, Fountain received the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism for columns published in the Sun-Times. Fountain won the Lisagor Award in the category of news column or commentary among daily newspapers with a circulation of 250,000 or more from the Chicago Headline Club—the largest local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists in the country. In 2014, Fountain was awarded best column by the Illinois Press Association.

In 2015, Fountain was a Lisagor Award finalist for online best Feature for a series on a Little League Baseball team in suburban Chicago: The Sweet Season. In 2013, he was a finalist for the National Association of Black Journalists “Salute to Excellence Award” in the magazine category for his first-person feature “Murder Was the Case” in Ebony (July 2012). In 2012, Fountain received the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association Award and the Chicago Journalists Association Sarah Brown Boyden Award for his column in the Sun-Times.

In a journalism career that has spanned more than 30 years, Fountain has been a reporter at some of the top newspapers in this country. From 2000 to 2003, he was a national correspondent for The New York Times. Based in Chicago, Fountain covered a 12-state region. He also has been a staff writer at the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. He has written for the Wall Street Journal, Chicago SunTimes, Modesto Bee, Pioneer Press Newspapers in suburban Chicago and the Champaign News-Gazette.

He was formerly a tenured full professor at his alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and visiting scholar at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston. In addition to working as a national correspondent, Fountain has been a crime and courts reporter as well as a general assignment reporter and features writer.

Fountain was a 2009 fellow at the Knight Digital Multimedia Center at the University of California-Berkeley. At Roosevelt, he teaches Media Writing, Personal Journalism/Memoir Writing, Convergence Journalism, News Reporting, Literary Journalism and Special Projects courses.

In 1999, Fountain was one of 12 American journalists selected for the prestigious Michigan Journalism Fellowship for the 1999-2000 class at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Fountain studied inner-city poverty and race. Fountain earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Over his career, Fountain has won numerous honors for feature writing from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Associated Press, and the American Association of University Women, among others. In 2003, he was a finalist in feature writing and sports writing for the Peter Lisagor Award for excellence in journalism. He continues to be an invited guest on local and national radio and television news shows and has appeared on National Public Radio, Chicago Public Radio, WGN-TV, NBC-Channel 5, ABC-Channel-7, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight and numerous radio shows.

Fountain frequently speaks across the country to inner-city youths, at schools and other groups. He shares his inspirational story of going from poverty and the urban mean streets of Chicago’s West Side to the top of his profession. “True Vine” is his remarkable story—of his childhood in a neighborhood heading south; of his strong-willed grandparents, who founded a church (called True Vine) that sought to bring the word of God to their neighbors; and of his religious awakening that gave him the determination to rebuild his life.

Inspired by Fountain’s essay for the acclaimed National Public Radio’s This I Believe series, “Dear Dad” is a compilation of true narratives written by some of the nation’s finest journalists and writers. Fountain’s most recent book projects are: “No Place for Me: Letters to the Church in America” and “Son of the Times: Life, Laughter, Love and Coffee,” a book of essays.

GO BANG! Magazine: When did you first become interested in writing?

John W. Fountain: I have always loved writing, ever since I was a little boy growing up on the west side of Chicago in a place commonly known as K-Town. I loved writing poetry on the days when it was too cold or rainy to play outside. In elementary school, in creative writing, I would write fictional stories about talking leaves and all sorts of things. We would read those stories in our writing circle and occasionally I would look up and see my classmates laughing and engrossed in the stories I read. It was an amazing high and introduced me early on to the power of storytelling.

GO BANG! Magazine: Being an award-winning columnist, journalist and author, you’re fluent in various writing styles. What is it about writing that motivates you to write?

John W. Fountain: What I most love about writing is the creative process. It is the ability to channel what comes from the heart, mind and soul onto blank pages. Over time I have learned that writing is less about following the rules of structure and mechanics—all the things they teach you in school. Not that those things don’t matter. It’s just that sometimes they can get in the way of the writing process, obstruct creativity and inhibit the gift. Writing is like oxygen. It enables me to breathe, live, feel. It provides visibility. It says that I exist and that I am not invisible. Writing is a transaction with the soul.

GO BANG! Magazine: I became familiar with you through a poem that you posted on Facebook in April that was about the current COVID-19 pandemic. Please explain to our readers what inspired you to write that poem about the ignorance of people, surrounding COVID-19.

John W. Fountain: We are our brother’s keeper and we are connected, affected, impacted by our decisions and by the decisions of others in a global society. This world pandemic has illustrated that in a very real way. Yet, so much misinformation exists. My poem was motivated by my desire to share some truth and to present it in a way that people might be able to receive it. We truly are all in this together. The scripture says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” I hope my poem, even if in some small way, helped sound the trumpet for us to heed the call to do what’s necessary to protect ourselves, our families and each other.

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re also a professor at a prominent university in Chicago, teaching various writing and journalism classes. Why is it important to you to pass on your knowledge of writing?

John W. Fountain: The cemetery is filled with unrealized dreams, with potential and the best of intentions to help others achieve their own dreams, and with talent not fully used. My belief is that whatever talents or gifts we have, the totality of our God-given abilities, resources and wisdom are to be spent while here on earth to help others. In other words, we must empty ourselves; take nothing with us to the grave. By helping others achieve their dreams—whether through writing or some other craft or profession—we ensure our own legacy. We also leave the world potentially as a little better place—at least our corner of it.

GO BANG! Magazine: As an author, you’ve written a few books including “No Place for Me: Letters to the Church in America” and “Son of the Times: Life, Laughter, Love and Coffee.” Please describe to our readers what these two books are about.

John W. Fountain: “No Place for Me” is a spiritual memoir. It’s about my journey as the grandson of a Pentecostal pastor and my turning away from the church I once loved that I now believe has no discernible message for what ails the 21st century black male soul. It is about how I find in the church today no place for me and no longer are a member, but also my rediscovery of my place as a member in the body of Christ.

“Son of The Times” is a collection of some of my best newspaper columns written over the last decade.

GO BANG! Magazine: Another set of books that you’ve authored are “True Vine: A Young Black Man’s Journey of Faith, Hope and Clarity” and “Dear Dad: Reflections on Fatherhood.” These are both very interesting and personal topics. Please point out two or three “take away” points from each book.

John W. Fountain: From “True Vine”: Never stop dreaming or you start to die; There is always hope; Most of my life, I later realized, I wasn’t poor, just broke.

From “Dear Dad”: I am not my father and therefore not destined to repeat his mistakes; To move forward from the hurts and sins my father committed against me or my family, I must learn to forgive him; As a man, as a father, I must learn to forgive myself; It’s never too late.

GO BANG! Magazine: What advice would you give to a youth that is interested in pursuing a career in journalism, but may be unsure of how they may be perceived in the industry, as a minority?

John W. Fountain: I would advise any young person interested in pursuing a career in journalism to study and absorb every lesson in class, to hone their craft, to seek out professional journalists who can serve as mentors, to read voraciously, to never allow anyone to squelch your dreams or passion, and to never give up.

GO BANG! Magazine: Are there any projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to inform our readers about.

John W. Fountain: I am currently working on a project titled, “Unforgotten.” It is the story of 51 murdered Chicago women over two decades that appears to be the work of at least one serial killer who strangled them to death and left their bodies in Chicago alleys and vacant lots, sometimes in trashcans and sometimes set on fire. The project seeks to humanize the victims by telling the stories of each woman beyond the circumstances of their death. Portraits of life.

GO BANG! Magazine: How has knowing your heritage, which originates in Ghana, affected you as a black Chicagoan?

John W. Fountain: Being aware of my West African heritage grounds me. It reminds me that I am rooted not only in the blood-and sweat-baked soil of the Deep South, where my ancestors tilled the plantations, but also in the royal heritage of the Motherland, where we were kings and queens long before the cruelty of racism and slavery. This forms my paradigm as a writer—the reality of being an inhabitant in the town of Bigger Thomas, but a native son of the land of Kunta Kinte.

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

John W. Fountain: Amid this global pandemic, I am doing everything I can to stay safe, following social distancing guidelines, sanitizing grocery packages, basically keeping me and my household safe as best I can from outside contaminants and danger. Mostly, I’m listening to the scientists rather than the government.

YOU CAN FOLLOW JOHN W. FOUNTAIN AT THE FOLLOWING LINKS:

FB: @authorJohnwfountain; johnwfountain
Twitter: @JohnWFountain
Website: http://www.johnwfountain.com
Sun-Times page: https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/john-fountain



Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

GO BANG! Magazine Publisher: PIERRE ANDRE’ EVANS

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Pierre Andre’ Evans, a graduate of Chicago’s prestigious Columbia College, possesses a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management. He is an accomplished Freelance Writer with published articles, high profile interviews and event recaps, which currently appear in numerous publications and websites including the legendary and iconic New York based SoulTrain.com, Chicago based Ndigo.com, Dallas based UrbanMuseMag.com, D.C. based TheSOULetter.com, and London based EmpireRadioMagazine.com. In 2018 he authored his first book “Inside The Minds Of Entertainers,” which is available on Amazon. In 2020 everything came into focus and he became a publisher, with the launch of his online magazine “GO BANG! Magazine.” Log on at https://gobangmagazine.com/. Coming later in 2020 he will reveal his House dancing alter ego, Andre’ Pierre, when his House dance class, “Gotta Have House” kicks off!

As a freelance journalist, he has interviewed television and movie legend Eric Monte´ (creator of Good Times, The Jefferson’s, What’s Happening and Cooley High,) theater legend Shelly Garrett (Beauty Shop), the rising star Richard Pryor, Jr., legendary jazz/soul/fusion recording artist Roy Ayers, and various R&B singers including O’Bryan, D’Wayne Wiggins (founder of Tony, Toni, Tone´) and Karyn White. He’s even interviewed legendary DJ Herb Kent “The Kool Gent.” In the House music world, he has interviewed 4x GRAMMY ® nominee DJ/Remixer Steve “Silk” Hurly and DJ Jesse Saunders and his 30th Anniversary of House Music Tour. His tribute to the late DJ, Producer and House music legend Frankie Knuckles was well received, worldwide. Although his primary beat is Entertainment, he is well-versed and passionate about Community Affairs, Cultural Events and Educational topics, as demonstrated by his coverage of The Soul Train Impact events and his attendance at the 2014 Soul Train Awards show.

In addition to writing, he is active in several other artistic endeavors, including acting, performing, DJing, modeling and spoken word. As an Actor, he has appeared in numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including both Home Alone II and Richie Rich with Macaulay Culkin, The Negotiator with Samuel L. Jackson, Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore and Road to Perdition with Jude Law, Tom Hanks and the late Paul Newman. Performing under the moniker Playerre, he’s a well-known singer/songwriter with a loyal fan base and several self-produced and released recordings, including the dance hit “Mind Groove” and the stepping classic “Guaranteed Love”, which is available on all music platforms. He’s been a DJ for the past 40 years, since he was 12, and is known in the House community and clubs as DJ Playerre. Modeling and Spoken Word are also passions that he performs professionally.

He’s also an astute businessman. He’s been a Board member of Friends for Life Resource Center, Inc., a non-profit organization. He was also the Booking Agent for The Chicago Talent Factory television show, which debuted locally on Chicago’s WCIU, “The U,” the Media Director for The Soul Train Impact team, as well as the host of A Taste of Theater television show which highlights screenwriters and their plays and broadcasts nationwide. He also hosted the annual A Taste of Theater Festival, which occurs in October, and has been conducted in the past thru a collaboration with “The God-Father of Black Theater,” Mr. Shelley Garrett, where playwrights showcase their plays to a live audience and competed for the coveted Shelley Garrett Award.

He’s an entrepreneur and the CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions, which produces a wide variety of events including networking events, dance parties, fashion shows, plays, and concerts. He served as Co-Host on Herb Kent’s “Battle of the Best” radio show, which airs on Chicago’s V103. He served as Host and Master of Ceremonies (MC) of Anita Jefferson’s original stageplay “Jackie’s Secret Life” which was held in Chicago at the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.

Reality TV/Author: CECELIA ROBINSON

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Reality TV star, Author of “Memoirs of a Bitch”,“Suga” “Confessions of a Street Figure.”, Screenwriter, Core DJ 547 Blogger, BlokClubDjs Official Blogger, Producer/Director of the Chicago movie “Hood Cheaters” and “Hood Cheaters 3.0”, Former Radio Personality and Artist Management, and Owner of Open Mic Productions.

Memorable Quotes: “I feel that being humble is a must…. but mastering how to shut a person the fuck up is a must as well.”
“I pray early and grind late.”

GO BANG! Magazine: What is the name of your show?

Cecelia Robinson: The name of my Show is “Bricks of an Empire.”

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you come up with the concept of the show?

Cecelia Robinson: Coming up with the concept was super easy. I just used my everyday life.

GO BANG! Magazine: What is the show about?

Cecelia Robinson: Bricks of an Empire is about my process of getting my life back together after my release from prison as well as showing me create my movies and books.

GO BANG! Magazine: Why did you create the show?

Cecelia Robinson: I created my show because I got tired of waiting on other people to give me a chance. So I created my own chance.

GO BANG! Magazine: How do our readers see the show?

Cecelia Robinson: The show can be viewed on Amazon Prime in a few weeks.

GO BANG! Magazine: When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

Cecelia Robinson: Being honest, I don’t think there was EVER a time when I wanted to be an author. Believe it or not… my very first book was actually my homework assignment in the GED program.

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you know you were ready to write a book?

Cecelia Robinson: I didn’t know. I’m just naturally a descriptive story teller.

GO BANG! Magazine: What inspired you to write Memoirs of a Cold Blooded Bitch!?

Cecelia Robinson: What inspired me to write “Memoirs of a Cold Blooded Bitch” was a letter that I received in prison about one of my daughters. I took two of the sentences and created a whole storyline.

GO BANG! Magazine: What prompted you to title the book Memoirs of a Cold Blooded Bitch!

Cecelia Robinson: Being honest… no other title would do this book justice.

GO BANG! Magazine: What message are you trying to get across with this book?

Cecelia Robinson: The message I’m trying to get across is love all but trust none.

GO BANG! Magazine: Have you written any other books? If so, what are their titles?

Cecelia Robinson: Yes I have. “Memoirs of a Bitch” was my first book. I wrote that in 2007 and my second book is titled “Suga”. That was released in 2010. At the time, I was signed to La’Femme Fatale Publications. Now I’m signed to Freeway Rick Ross Publications.

GO BANG! Magazine: Do you have any other talents besides writing books?

Cecelia Robinson: Actually I do. Currently, I’m a radio personality. I have a talk show called “Trill Talk in the Morning“, that airs Monday thru Friday on YouTube. I’m also a screenwriter. I have two movies being filmed, this coming May.

GO BANG! Magazine: What advice would you give to a writer that may be interested in writing their first book?

Cecelia Robinson: Go for it! The hardest part about doing it is thinking that you can’t. Follow your dreams because they do come true!

Go BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off-guard. How are you dealing with it?

Cecelia Robinson: I’m writing. Because I know once this is over… there’s success waiting on me!

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram.

Actor/Author: CYNDA WILLIAMS

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Cynda began a professional life of acting and singing after relocating to New York from her native Chicago. Her debut film MO’ BETTER BLUES directed by Spike Lee, was a critical and commercial success. Blessed with a role that also required singing, her song HARLEM BLUES went #1 on the R&B charts. That film opened the door to her next performance in Carl Franklin’s ONE FALSE MOVE – the true icebreaker for Cynda’s career. This break out independent film appeared on many Best Film lists and Cynda was nominated for the coveted Spirit Award.

Cynda has since appeared in numerous films including: Stewart Wade’s TRU LOVED, John Nolte’s BEAUTIFUL LOSER, Salvador Litvak’s WHEN DO WE EAT, Billy Wirth’s MACARTHUR PARK, P.J. Castellante’s RELAX…IT’S JUST SEX, Darin Scott’s CAUGHT UP and Wesley Strick’s THE TIE THAT BINDS. She has also performed memorable quality television roles including: BET’s HIDDEN BLESSINGS, LIFETIME’S THE COURAGE TO LOVE, HBO’s DOROTHY DANDRIDGE, Oprah Winfrey’s ABC miniseries, THE WEDDING and PBS’ TALES OF THE CITY.

Cynda also sings and acts on stage. She most recently appeared in DREAM GIRLS, THE TALENTED TENTH, LANGSTON IS MY MAN, HOPE RUNS ETERNAL, TWILIGHT IN LOS ANGELES, 1992, MAKE EM’ LAUGH, MAKE EM’ LAUGH: A CHRISTMAS CABARET, and IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

Cynda and Thea Camara, doing business as “Acting Up with Thea and Cynda”, teach acting workshops and classes. Cynda continues creating content – writing screenplays, musicals, and books. She looks forward to bringing her creations to life with the commercial production of these works.

Her current project is Pink Pantie Confessions, a web series, book, blog, and more. Cynda continues to sing, and accept quality roles in film, television and theatre.

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you get involved with “A Sisterhood of Signatures?”

Cynda Williams: Okema Gunn and I met at a few events. On one particular event we started talking about the possibility of writing some screenplays together for youth audiences. We lost contact for a bit. When I next heard from Okema, she had an idea for A Sisterhood of Signatures. I thought her idea was an original and possibly beautiful idea for a short film.

GO BANG! Magazine: You not only act in the film, you also developed the script. In what ways have you recently become more involved, behind the scenes, in the film industry?

Cynda Williams: I believe once you’ve enjoyed some success in the entertainment business for long enough, it is imperative to reach back and help others on their journey. I’ve learned a lot over the years so I try to help those that are breaking in. Filmmaking can be a difficult process from development to release, but it can also be the most satisfying experience if done with people you respect. Mentorship is very important. If I can help someone else avoid my many mistakes, I will. I know you learn from mistakes, that is inevitable, but there are some you can avoid with the correct guidance.

GO BANG! Magazine: What about “A Sisterhood of Signatures” attracted you to want to be a part of it?

Cynda Williams: I really liked how A Sisterhood of Signatures gave young ladies a unique option for creativity. I also appreciated its dedication to education. Many people forget to appreciate the trials of our ancestors. Okema reminds another generation how far we’ve come.

GO BANG! Magazine: How would you describe your character in the film?

Cynda Williams: The character of “Mom” set up the drama and started the educational portion of the story.

GO BANG! Magazine: How important is it to you, to preserve the art of cursive writing?

Cynda Williams: Cursive writing is a part of our genetic heritage. It is an art form unto itself.

GO BANG! Magazine: You are a singer, actress, author and producer. Of those talents, which one do you love the best, and why?

Cynda Williams: I don’t love any of my gifts any more than the other. They are all blessings given to me to use when directed. They all bring me joy.

GO BANG! Magazine: One of your most memorable characters was when you first debuted in film, in Spike Lee’s blockbuster movie “Mo’ Better Blues.” You worked alongside two top-notch actors, Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes. As a fresh new film actor, how did that feel at the time, and what did you learn from that experience?

Cynda Williams: Mo’ Better Blues opened many doors for me in the film world. Spike, Denzel, and Wesley were coming into their own at the time, and willing to teach a newbie like me, the ropes. It was a great time to learn from some very gifted people. I got to absorb the talents of Robin Harris, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John and Nikky Tuttoro, Samuel L. Jackson, Joie Lee, and many others. I was blessed to work with Monty Ross, Ruthie Carter, Ernest Dickerson, Cliff Booker, Terrence Blanchard, Branford Marsalis, and the list goes on and on. Many of these artists are still “bringing it” today. To think that I was blessed like that, in my very first movie will always fill me up with thankfulness.

GO BANG! Magazine: As an actor, what type of roles are you currently interested in?

Cynda Williams: I am open to most roles as long as they are realistic, multi-layered, and saying something.

GO BANG! Magazine: Imagine this…if you had the opportunity to write your own movie or tv show, what would it be titled? Who would you choose to direct it? What actors would star in it?

Cynda Williams: I already have a movie written that I want to produce. It’s working title is Baby Girl. I have a long lost friend, Victoria Mahoney, that I would love to direct the film. She is an amazingingly talented, beautiful soul and I am so proud of her success. All I can say about casting is that I’d want the best actors (in temperament and talent) to be in this family dramedy/action adventure

GO BANG! Magazine: Being a Chicagoland resident, you have worked with and/or know of a lot of Chicago area screenwriters. Why is it important to you to work with local writers?

Cynda Williams: I think it is important to support, encourage, and work with local talent. Chicago is a hub of brilliant creative artists. I’m proud to be a part of their creative endeavors.

You can follow Cynda on her Facebook page: Cynda Williams Official Fan Page, and personal pages: Cynda Will and Cynda Williams, IG is Cynda Will, Twitter @cyndacindy 

 

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram.