Antoine B. Craigwell graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York with a double major in psychology and journalism. As a journalist, he has written for several publications. His articles have appeared in Fortune Small Business (FSB), the Villager Newspapers in Northeastern Connecticut, The Bronx Times Reporter and The Bronx Times, The Amsterdam News, and recently for The Network Journal, in New York City.

Antoine B. Craigwell, assistant editor with The Network Journal (TNJ), received two awards at the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) 30th Annual Awards held at Columbia University’s Low Memorial Library.

When writing for the weekly the Killingly Villager, Craigwell found himself the lone reporter covering all aspects of two towns, Brooklyn and Killingly, their governments, education, and social life. There he wrote an analysis of a U.S. Supreme Court decision relating to wetlands and the rights of property owners who had waterways on or passing through their land, and another examined the environmental issues surrounding a plan to build a shopping mall on land, contaminated by chromium-6 and oil waste, once occupied by a glass factory.

Craigwell also wrote a four-part series that delved into domestic violence from the perspective of the abused women, from the view of the children who end up being twice victimized, of men who are victims in heterosexual and homosexual relationships, and to providing resources to which victims could refer.

After transitioning to The Bronx Times Reporter and The Bronx Times, a community weekly newspapers, he covered the north, central and south Bronx areas, including writing about the controversial proposed new jail facility at Oak Point in the South Bronx. His coverage of the community meetings and the issues resulted in a three-part series that led to plans for the jail being indefinitely suspended.

For his coverage, he earned recognition with a first place win in the Public Affairs category of the 2008 New York Association of Black Journalists Awards. He also wrote a two-part story examining the effects of poverty based on the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau’s report of poverty in communities nationwide, which revealed that the Bronx was one of the top three poorest communities in the country, and of the efforts by NYC’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg to address the issue with an economic commission.

Craigwell then transitioned to The Network Journal, a monthly African-American small business and professional magazine. There, as the assistant editor, he both supervised the editorial department and wrote for the magazine, most notably: the May 2007 cover featuring Neil De Grasse Tyson, an African-American astrophysicist and head of the Hayden Planetarium; a profile of Dr. Carolyn Britton of the Department of Neurology at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, as one of the magazine’s top Black doctors, and for which he was part of the editorial team that won second place for the submission in the healthcare category for the 2008 New York Association of Black Journalists Awards.

Prior to his career as a journalist, Craigwell was employed in administrative managerial positions in several different industries, including, religious non-profit (Catholic Charities), political non-profit (Rainbow PUSH/Wall Street Project), Internet business (EarthWeb, Inc.), private entertainment law practice (Morton Leavy, Esq., now deceased), gay advocacy (Gay Men of African Descent), music (Zomba Records, the home of Jive, Silvertone and Volcano Records), in construction (Full Spectrum Building and Development), and in communications (ComCore Strategies).

During his internship with FSB, Craigwell worked on the magazine’s annual business plan competition and interviewed those students, from universities nationwide, who had won the competition. He did an independent study, which was based on an examination of the effects of the Patriots Act against the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (part of the Bill of Rights against unlawful stop, searches and seizures), placed against the backdrop of and in the context of the case that was heard before the U.S. Supreme Court of Terry v. Ohio [392 U.S. 1 (1968)].

Craigwell’s community involvement included volunteering for food preparation in the kitchen with God’s Love We Deliver and with Literacy Partners as a tutor to adults in a pre-GED program. He is a member of the New York Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, Baruch College Alumni Association, and a director on the board of directors with responsibility for communications with the National Association of African-Americans in Human Resources, Greater New York.

Paul Boakye is a creative writer and marketing expert who specializes in targeting ethnic minority audiences through the arts, business, and educational printed resources.

He was the first BigUp at GMFA Project Manager producing small and mass media campaigns targeting black gay and bisexual men in the UK. Similarly, sixteen years after its London stage debut, his controversial play Boy with Beer remains a vital and pertinent exposé of the lives of men who have sex with men under a cloud of darkness and shrouded in the fear and secrecy we now know as “down low.”

Paul is currently writing his debut novel and plans to relocate to New York City after completing a Masters degree in England. He welcomes all new arts and media contacts from the Big Apple and elsewhere.

Visit the author’s blog for samples of his work and to get in touch: http://paulboakye.net

C. Mark Ealy is an ordained Baptist minister. Over the past 27 years he has served several churches in positions such as Senior Pastor, Co-Pastor, and Senior Associate Pastor. This man who grew up in an all-black “ghetto” and was there when the 1965 Watts riots erupted, has also worked with the Federal Government, State Government, large corporations, small companies, non-profit organizations, and has owned his own companies. He most recently served as an educational consultant for a large state education department.

In addition to his involvement in the business sector, Mark has been Associate Pastor, Senior Associate Pastor, and Senior Pastor at churches in California. While serving in both ministerial and music leadership roles in churches in Ohio and California, Mark also held a variety of teaching positions from elementary school through the college level.

After a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, Mark now dedicates his time to consulting with churches. His passion is building new infrastructures of rescue and recovery until everyone is safe in the harbor.

Ajani (Ah-jah-nee) The name from the Yoruba of Nigeria means, one who takes possession after a struggle. I was born in New Jersey where thank God we spent our summers at art camp. My mother moved all 4 of her boys to Miami Florida to live with her mother. I grew like a foot over the summer. This was the best thing she could have done. My mother at 65 has just published her first book of poetry.

I reclaimed my Caribbean heritage in Miami. Now I am part Bahamian. I had family in a land other than the US. The thought gave me a sense of pride. In Coconut Grove Florida the Bahamians who had money settled that area and have a rich history there. I saw bright colors and beautiful people in Miami. You can see the influence Miami had on me by the intense use of color in my artwork.

When I thought I was grown I moved from Florida to California. At 22 years of age I followed my high school sweetheart to California. She married someone else. I moved on to find myself. I worked with a woman from Nigeria who saw my artwork and loaned me some money to open up an art gallery in Oakland, California. Years later to my amazement, the gallery begin to breathe, pay its own bills, keep the doors open. At the height of my business ownership, my neighbor who owned a Latin culture gallery had a BIG fire and my dream ended. Frustrated I moved to Washington, DC to get away from many things.

Now in DC, I decided to go back to school at age 40 and get a Bachelor’s degree in International business. The purpose was to learn how to own my own business again. I had many, many struggles but I graduated cum laude. After not picking up a paint brush for years, I ran into a person who commissioned me to paint a portrait of Shirley horn a jazz artist. She had recently passed away. I have not stopped painting since that time. Ashe

Jair Trice, “The Literary Masturbator™” is a poet, spoken word artist,  Minister of Musings, Director of Dialogue, and activist recently relocated to the Bay Area of Northern California from Los Angeles where he was a regular with PoetsJazzHouse at Sonny’s Spot www.myspace.com/poetsjazzhouse in Leimert Park.

His work has appeared in/on ION TV Presents PoetsJazzHouse, Myne Mic Radio Show, Sequoia Magazine, DownSideUp, In The Meantime “Statements of Pride Issue” GentleChaos, ThirdThursdayLA, and he is the author of the chapbook “Sacred Sensual Secrets”. Look for his upcoming book and spoken word CD, “Confessions of a Literary Masturbator™”

He has appeared at/or coordinated events for numerous festivals and spoken word venues around Southern California including The African Marketplace, Pan African Film Festival, Sabor Con Fusion, Carlotta’s Fine Art, Soulful Salon ATB Event, Los Angeles Black Book Expo, The Love Movement, Abbot’s Habit, UnUrban’s “ReallyBigShow” 5th Street Dick’s, and others. He is also part of the spoken word/vocal duo BettaWayz with vocalist Regi Perry.

You can read his work at his blog literarymasturbator.spaces.live.com/ or connect to him on MySpace www.myspace.com/theliterarymasturbator Jair is a Libra and an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.
 
Contact him at theliterarymasturbator@gmail.com

Christopher C. Evans, 36 yrs old and native Houstonian. Millitary verteran of 5 1/2 years. Obtained Accounting and Business Adminstration BA from University of Maryland University College.

Talk show radio host of Black on Black on 90.1 KPFT in Houston, Texas. Former facilitator of The Men's Gathering of Houston for 2 1/2 years.

Frequently travels and conducts seminars in the areas of personal relationships, personal growth and community issues. Avid reader and R&B and jazz fan.

Wyatt O’Brian Evans, CEO and Founder of Nair’Bo Universal, has over 20 years of progressively responsible experience as a Communications

Professional for government, industry, and the private sector. Wyatt’s areas of expertise include writing, editing, production, promotions, entertainment, and public speaking.

Some of Wyatt’s significant achievements include writing, editing, and producing the Potomac Electric Power Company’s 30-page, annual, award-winning Community Relations Report. As an Environmental Protection Specialist for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), he researched and responded to, in writing, complex and detailed inquiries from Congress, industry, and the public. And as Promotional Manager and Writer for Givenchy Fragrances, Wyatt was instrumental in the conceptualization, development, and execution of promotional/marketing campaigns resulting in the highly successful launch and distribution of fragrance products for the North American market.

Also, Wyatt is an entertainer who has acted on cable, and in commercials and training videos. He had the lead role in an episode of the Discovery Channel’s popular, long-running New Detectives series. Wyatt also had a minor role in Enemy of the State, starring Will Smith.

As a stand-up comedian, Wyatt is a graduate of the prestigious American Comedy Institute (ACI) in Manhattan, and has performed on cable and in clubs across the country. He has also performed in the Caribbean: at the Wyndham Resorts in St. Lucia, and the Coconuts club in St. Maartens. Wyatt also participated in HBO national talent competitions.

Wyatt has been a voice-over instructor for New York’s renowned White Lake Music and Post Recording Studios/Creative Development Group. As a voice talent, he has performed spots for the Hair Cuttery, Rock Creek Productions, BCI Media, Inc., Adaptec, Inc., and government agencies. Performing radio spots for former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s America’s Promise organization is his most prized accomplishment in this field.

Wyatt’s bylines have appeared in the Washington Post, Washington Blade, and Prince George’s County, MD Journal newspapers, magazines, and on line. He created, developed, and wrote an erotic, gay, African-American serial for GBM (Gay Black Male) magazine, which was rather popular. Wyatt’s first novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart (gay/ethnic/erotica), is now available. His E-Book, Sinnin’ In Da City (gay/ethnic/erotica), will be available in Fall 2007.
Wyatt O’Brian Evans has two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Political Science from the George Washington University in the District of Columbia. He’s a member of the Maryland Writers Association.

Please visit www.wyattobrianevans.com

Brett York is a Charlotte-based graphic and web designer who has fused his passion for fine art with computer aided design to become a great asset to many locally owned and operated businesses, as well as many national organizations. He has worked on many successful marketing campaigns, which has allowed him to cultivate his talents into producing a wide array of print and web designs.

Brett has over a decade of experience in print layout and design, and has worked closely with Public Relations professionals to bring a more professional and high-quality look to their printed and web collateral. Some of these publications include Alumni Newsletters, Graduation Programs, and Athletic media guides.

Brett holds a degree in Graphic Arts and Imaging from Central Piedmont Community College, Inet+ certification, CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster) Associate certification, and CIW Professional certification. Brett serves as Webmaster for a variety of organizations and businesses including GBM News, BurtonWorks, Evans Realty – Charlotte, Sub Station II, Botanica San Expedito and Southview Church.

Terry Snipes sits patiently in front of his computer screen, mind tinkering away as he thinks up a topic for his blog, Trew Life Advice. He’s been trying to build up his credentials in order to publish his non-fiction book, Trew Life: Straight, No Chaser. And as he sighs, clearly struggling from writer’s block, he smiles, and says, “How do you condense, as well as stretch 23 years onto a blog? It’s been done, but it’s hard as hell.”

 

Terry Snipes, AKA Trew Life says everyone is acquiring a PhD in Life. The only difference, he says, between other individuals and him is he’s found a way to teach it (life).