Archive for the 'Previous Guests' Category
Roland Laird is the founder and CEO of Posro Media, an entertainment production company that explores African American history and culture in a variety of formats including comics, books, radio, video, and film. Posro projects’ positive imagery is designed to stand in sharp contrast to the mass media’s often unrealistic and misleading portraits of the African American community. The company’s fresh and historically accurate perspective on topics ranging from slavery to sports, politics, and superheroes have garnered praise from national media including The Today Show and MTV.
In the early 1990s, Posro was one of the first black-owned independent comic book companies, publishing the hip hop-infused series MC Squared. Based in Harlem, MC Squared chronicled the life of Earl Terrel, a brilliant young barber who designs computer games on the side. Three issues were published between 1991-94. Issue #3 was archived in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown for its focus on the Negro Leagues.
From 1993-1994, Posro syndicated the comic strip “The Griots” to black-owned newspapers. Offering insights about black history and culture with the use of witty lines and catch-phrases, “The Griots” received acclaim from media outlets including The New York Times, The Source, and Entertainment Weekly.
In addition to his role at Posro, Roland is the celebrated co-author of “Still I Rise: A Graphic History of Afican Americans”, a critically acclaimed work with an impressive scope: the entire history of Black America, told in an accessible 216 page graphic-novel form, and re-released in February 2009. Roland is also the co-founder and managing director of My Image Studios (MIST), a ten million dollar entertainment venue based in Harlem and scheduled to open in late 2009. This multifaceted 20,000 square foot venue will feature the art and culture of the African, Latino Diaspora and include 3 screening rooms, a restaurant, cafe and post-production facility. MIST is located in the Kalahari Condominiums, a 250 unit mixed income LEED certified “green” building. MIST will be the first green convergent entertainment complex in the United States.
2008 Glyph Comics Awards (GCA), Story of the Year winner
Underground hip-hop icon Percy “MF Grimm” Carey tells the true story of his life in the game – from dizzying heights to heartbreaking losses – in this raw, brutally honest graphic novel memoir.
In SENTENCES, Carey chronicles his life in the sometimes glamourous, often violent, world of hip-hop. From the first time he picked up a microphone at a bloc party to the day he lost the use of his legs to gang violence and back around to his reincarnation and rise to the top of his game as a Hip-Hop Grand Master, no questions are left unanswered and no apologies are made, resulting in a truly moving graphic novel National Public Radio called “powerful” and Time Magazine labeled as “a top 10 best graphic novel of 2007.”
Dwayne J. Ferguson (a.k.a Hunter Wolf) continues to develop a long portfolio of achievements.
In 1986, at the age of nineteen and in his sophomore year at Rutgers University, Hamster Vice, the first issue of the popular comic book series was published. The comics, about animal cops Hammy, Ben, and Wolph versus criminal roaches, went on to become Blackthorne Publishing’s top-selling book for over 16 months. The first issue, Hamster Vice: Rumble Roach sold 42 thousand copies in one month and placed Ferguson’s feet into the door of professional comics.
Taking a break from Hamster Vice, he went on to create the futuristic detective Captain Africa. Operating from the fictional city of Egyptica, Prince Najee M’witu wages a personal war on crime and, with the help of his best friend, inventor Buni Mandella, sets off to build the ultimate weapon: the Falcon Shadow armor suit.
In November 1990, Ferguson’s publishing company DIEHARD Studio Entertainment released the 120-page illustrated novel Captain Africa: The Battle for Egyptica. In 1992, the completely revised novel grew to 144 pages, with over 25 new illustrations, and a beautifully airbrush-rendered cover by the writer/artist. The book is published by Africa World Press in paperback and hardcover.
The popular character was also featured in his own 3-issue comic book series published by DIEHARD Studio Entertainment, entitled Captain Africa: Bite of the Scrab. Also during the 1990’s, Ferguson was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the US Department of Agriculture for his lecture on the importance of racial harmony in society and in literature. The enterprising creator also works in other media…1993 marked the release of his first toy line Snailiens: Supersonic Shell Fighters based on issues five and six of Hamster Vice. The Snailiens waged a never-ending war against the Lunar-Ticks in a battle to save earth. The spring of 1994 yielded the release of six 64-page Mighty Morphin Power Rangers activity books, illustrated by Ferguson, featuring characters from the #1 rated kid’s show in the country.
On September 17, 1994, Ferguson’s first animated project Mutant League premiered on Saturday and Sunday mornings across the nation in the #1 spot. The cartoon is about a sports league of mutated athletes who compete in the world’s most dangerous sports. Ferguson was the Art Director, character designer, props, background and storyboard artist for the animated series. The characters are based on the Sega Genesis games Mutant League Football and Mutant League Hockey.
In March 1997, Ferguson was hired by Sony Music to develop concept art for the super-rock band Aerosmith’s Nine Lives album. April 1997 marked the launch of his latest project, Kid Caramel Private Investigator mystery series for children. The books are entitled The Case of the Missing Ankh, The Werewolf of PS 40, Mess at Loch Ness, and Ghost Ranch: The Legend of Mad Jake.
The series is produced by the award-winning publisher Just Us Books, Inc. The fifth book in the series will be released soon. Ferguson is producing the Kid Caramel: Private Investigator animated series, which will premier in the near future. Fans can get a sneak peek of the trailer on the website www.kidcaramel.com.
Currently, he is a regular writer for 3D HDRI magazine dedicated to 3D animation. He has also written and co-authored several technology-based books for the publishers Against The Clock, such Mac OS X, FrontPage 2000, Flash MX, Dreamweaver 4 and more. Additionally, Ferguson is a Graphics Instructor for the Virtual Training Company. He develops software application tutorials such as Lightwave 3D, Animating in Flash, Combustion, Adobe Creative Suite Power Projects, iLife, Poser, and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and more.
In 2004, Hunter created, directed and produced a 15 minute animated short film called Black Zero: Mercenary Ant. His film is shown at film festivals around the country and is receiving excellent reviews from attendees and curators of the festivals. His film was shown at the Cape May Film Festival in 2005, Cape May New Jersey and was shown at the Hollywood Black Film Festival 2006, in Beverly Hills California.
As for future projects, he knows what they are and he is not telling for now but you can bet that they will be worth the wait.
Digital Technology For Liberation Artistry Pt 5:
This Is How You Do It!
Brother G and Mshindo I will show the Cinema Graphic Novel adventure “Zulu Mech 1″ and present the techniques used to create the epic series.
Brother G will explain how we used the latest ways to get paid, distribute and protect artistry using digital technology and how we used new media to level the playing field for small independent producers and publishers. Then, Mshindo will demonstrate artistic and storytelling techniques so that other artists can creat their own Cinema Graphic Novels. In addition, new information about international markets via the internet will be discussed.
Gregory L. Walker, CEO of Seker Nefer Productions, is a Chicago-based journalist, poet, historian and author. He is the author of Shades Of Memnon, a novel series about the activities of the ancient Kushites of Africa.
ECBACC, Inc. is proud to present the longest running (okay, 3 years) comics panel featuring Black women. For ECBACC 2009, the panel is titled, “Having Our Say: Black Women discuss Youth and Beauty”. Topics during earlier Having Our Say panels have included speculative fiction, love, and humor. Please see the information below about the panelists scheduled to participate on Saturday, May 16.
Cheryl Lynn Eaton
Cheryl Lynn Eaton is the founder and creator of the Ormes Society. The Ormes Society, named after the legendary pioneering cartoonist of color Jackie Ormes, is an organization dedicated to supporting black female comic creators and promoting the inclusion of black women in the comics industry as creators, characters and consumers. Cheryl Lynn maintains the Ormes Society website and also maintains Torchbearers, an online community with a specific focus on black female characters in sequential art and animation.
DigitalFemme.com
The Ormes Society
Leilani Hickerson
Leilani is a freelance illustrator by day, supreme juggling master by night. She was born in the heartland of New Jersey in the year of 1983. She climbed her way to the top of the trenches and graduated in 2006 from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. There she received her BFA in Illustration and to her surprise, attained the university’s most distinguished illustration award. With comic exhibitions travelling worldwide she still enjoys her downtime. She enjoys ice coffee, pumping iron, reading comics by firelight, and illustrating her and her sister’s upcoming children’s comic My Hafu©.
Lanitai.deviantart.com
LeilaniHickerson.blogspot.com
Arie Monroe
Arie is originally from Kansas City Missouri. She has a passion for comics, illustration, and animation. Her work is inspired by a multitude of styles from fine art to anime. Some of her favorite artists include Norman Rockwell, Josh Middleton, Dan Haskett, Bruce Timm and Chris Sanders. She specializes in drawing girls, but is always up for the challenge of drawing whatever is placed in front of her. She also enjoys drawing things geared toward kids and has some experience working with licensed product design.
Drawlikecrazy.net
Mainasha.deviantart.com
Stephanie Brandford - Facilitator
Nichelle Nichols began her professional singing and dancing career in her home town, Chicago, at the tender age of 14. As a teenager, she was discovered by the great Duke Ellington who hired her to choreograph and perform a ballet for one of his musical suites, and finished the tour as his lead singer. Nichelle has performed in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including guest artist with Lionel Hampton’s band.
Nichelle was cast by Gene Roddenberry to create Lt. Uhura in his legendary TV series, Star Trek. Subsequently, co-starred in the six blockbuster Star Trek motion pictures. She is in constant demand to appear before the millions of “Trekkers” who keep the dream alive around the world.
Here is a tribute video created by Mizanmedia honoring Nichelle Nichols for her work as Lt. (Cmdr.) Uhura in the world of Star Trek for the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) in 2008.
She was twice nominated for the coveted Sarah Siddons Award for best actress for her performances in the theatre productions of Jenet’s “The Blacks” and the Oscar Brown Jr. musical “Kicks and Company.” She starred in the touring Broadway hits, “Horowitz and Mrs. Washington,” and “Nunsense II”. In her one-woman show, “REFLECTIONS,”, she ‘becomes’ twelve legendary female entertainers, utilizing her beautiful three octave vocal range to rave reviews and plans for a CD album and a OVD of “REFLECTIONS.”
Nichelle was chosen to perform as guest solo artist with the Erie Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestra for their 80th Anniversary Celebration. She also performed as solo artist with the Symphony Orchestra of the California State University-Northridge, where she previously was commencement speaker for their School of Arts. Her latest CD album, “NICHELLE… OUT OF THIS WORLD, contains her original composition, “Gene,” in honor of “The Great Bird”.
On January 9, 1992, Nichelle was awarded her much deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A few weeks before, she became the first African-American to place her handprints and signature in the cement walk at the famous Mann’s (Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre. Along with her other command crew members on the Starship Enterprise, Nichelle was installed in a special exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, an unprecedented accolade for the entertainment industry.
Nichelle’s autobiography, “BEYOND UHURA,” and her first sci-fi novel, “SATURN’S CHILD,” featuring and intergalactic heroine, Saturna and its sequel, “SATURA’S QUEST” received critical acclaim. Currently, she is developing a children’s Edutainment franchise, “EUREKA ROAD”. In recognition of her many accomplishments, Nichelle was conferred a Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, from Marywood College on their 80th anniversary at which she delivered the commencement address. In July 2002, she was inducted as an Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Nichelle’s public service activities have been equally outstanding. Under contract to NASA she took on the daunting task to successfully recruit the first women and minority astronauts for the Space Shuttle Program, for which she received NASA’S distinguished Public Service Award for her pioneering efforts. She continues as a member of the Board of Governors of the National Space Society, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the International Space Camp.
In 2004 Nichelle was selected as one of the International Human Rights Consortium’s FETE d’EXCELLENCE Laureates. The commendation reads:
You have been selected for the Medaille d’Excellence 2004 in the category of ‘Edutainment.’ This is in recognition of your being a true innovator, a woman of courage and commitment to the deepest values of excellence through your artistry within the world of entertainment and also as an innovative educator and patron to learning and inspiring the budding minds and hearts of youth.”
Nichelle recently was chosen to join the cast, beginning in the second season, of the NBC blockbuster television series “HEROES”.
Read the latest news and information about Nichelle Nichols at www.uhura.com.
Alitha E. Martinez is a comic book artist by trade having served time in the trenches penciling such titles as Iron Man, X-Men, Black Sun, Marvel Age Fantastic Four, and Black Panther for Marvel Comics; and Voltron for Devil’s Due to name a few. Her professional career began in 2000, before that she was a background artist on Daredevil and an Assistant Inker on Aquaman.
“The only chances you regret are the ones you didn’t take.” So she’s combined her first loves, painting and comics, and formed her own company, Ariotstorm Productions. Now, she’s really doing what she loves. Her first title, YUME AND EVER, will debut at the NY Comic Con at the Javitz Center April 18-20.
www.ariotstorm.com
www.comicspace.com/ariotstorm/
ariotstorm.deviantart.com
ariotstorm.livejournal.com
Yume and Ever is a blend of styles: free flowing thoughts; things that aren’t allowed to be drawn; and rules that are hardly ever broken.
There’s a great tragedy in the first issue. You’ll get to see it. You’ll meet all of the players as kids, and you’ll know what made them or broke them without any biased narration. It’s like a dream that each character will interpret differently as the story goes on.
Hence, the play on words with the title of the book… Yume means dream in Japanese. Ever is the leading male. Together the kanji in the logo, means dreaming forever.
All of the great Heroes are dead! Yeah, just like that, wiped out on mass. Even the villains who unleashed Pandora didn’t expect to be so successful.
You know the drill. Nefarious evil-doers hatch a diabolical scheme to rule the world. Super heroes unite to halt their odious plans. One epic battle later, the day is saved and almost everybody goes home happy (except for the one B level hero who has to die for dramatic effect). Even the bad guys are comfortable with that. It’s the status quo until they actually succeed.
M. Asli Dukan is a producer, director and editor from New York City. She graduated from The City University of New York with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Media and Communication Arts in 1999 where she received the best editing award for her thesis film, Sleeping on a train in Motion. In 2000, she founded Mizan Media Productions, a multi-media company to produce low budget, high quality music videos, commercials and short films. Her media works have screened at the Blowin’ Up A Spot Film Festival in Texas, Citivisions in New York, the Imagenation Film & Music Festival in New York, the Black to the Future Science Fiction Festival and the Langston Hughes Film Festival, both in Seattle and on Move the Frame, a video dance television program.
She has been nominated for the Renew Media grant twice and received a grant from the City University of New York to further her professional development in the field of film and television. Her latest projects include producing and directing “Boot”, the first music video for Tamar-kali, the Geechee Goddess Hardcore Warrior Soul, producing and directing Hanifah Walidah’s music video “Do You Mind”, producing and directing the feature length documentary, Invisible Universe: a history of blackness in speculative fiction which reveals the history of representations of Blacks in fantasy, horror and science fiction literature and film and producing and directing the short SF film “73″, about a dystopian future Harlem.
You can find more information at www.invisibleuniversedoc.com/
The 12Comics Learning Support program is an exciting and unique program that makes learning fun through the creation of a custom comic book. The primary focus of the program is designed to empower and encourage students to enhance their knowledge and experience the incredible benefits of written expression. The students, in a class ranging from five to seven students, learn how to generate an online and printed Graphic Novel using a collaborative comic book “Superhero” script. The students are allotted eight calendar weeks to learn how to develop characters, settings and plots using persons and situations such as family members and friends. The program emphasizes student cooperation and communication as students work together to develop their character’s comic book stories. When the script is complete, it is reviewed and edited before being submitted to professional artists for artwork (pencils, inks and colors) and publication. At the end of the program, 12Comics publishes the comic book with each student receiving three copies. The comic will feature each of the characters developed in the class. Comic books are published and made available for sale on the 12Comics’ online store. A percentage of all sale proceeds, after production costs are covered, are paid to the students. At end of the program, students have the option to sign up again and repeat the class throughout the school year. Some students have used the program to start their own online business.
In our own words:
“We basically put into 12Comics everything we could’ve ever wanted in a program when we were kids. If Marvel or DC would have had a program where, for a fee, we would be able to apply what we were learning in school to create a character which would be featured in a comic book with Spiderman or Superman would we have been interested in such a program? Unequivocally YES!!!! Then as an added bonus they would throw in a cash earning incentive where our characters would have merchandise on the open market and we would receive royalties. Well that’s a no-brainer. 12Comics offers students the opportunity to become published authors and to apply their education with immediate tangible results. An ancillary achievement for the students is that in addition to being consumers of their local library or comic book shop they become contributors as well. This was the question we asked ourselves, and what essentially became the driving force behind 12Comics.”
12Comics Inc.
12Comics Learning Support Program
Infinite Possibilities
12Comics was started by Mark and Tracy Hair in 2003 with one goal in mind: To make reading and writing engaging, and fun through creating custom comic books.
Mark and Tracy, currently residing in Maplewood NJ., met each other at a church service 15 years ago. Each was a single parent of a lovely daughter, Sequoya (Tracy) and Angelica (Mark). They married in 2001 and now have their third daughter, Kelsey who is 4 years old.
Mark is a Team Lead in the Finance Dept of Deloitte and Touche and an avid 30 year comic fan and collector.
Tracy has been an educator for 20 years. She holds a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education and is currently employed at Ethical Culture Fieldston School.
Tracy along with her father, Dr. Simpson Gray, a 20 year veteran educator himself and former attorney, helped develop the 12Comics Learning Support program curriculum.
The curriculum was designed after the model of the New York City Department of Education’s Children First. It, like many of the programs designed for Children First, is a single, coherent system-wide approach for instruction in reading and writing.
The Smoke has made a major impact on the pop-culture scene for over a decade. After his time in the Marine Corps, Smoke worked as a bodyguard working clubs as well as backstage concerts and for NFL games in
He began wrestling for companies like ECW, GLOOW, WEW, and NWA Shockwave. The Smoke has been an intercontinental, tag-team, and world champion in his career. Having a strong likeness to “The Rock” has opened doors for The Smoke. to He has appeared on T.V. shows like,” The Jenny Jones Show” and “GLOOW” and radio shows like “610WIP” and even local Celebrity Boxing shows. The Smoke branched out to do movies like, “The Black Ninja”, “White Men Can’t Rap” and many other independent film projects.
The Smoke is now a current character for “Big City Comics” and later to be the focal point for a major crossover event called “Tainted”. The Smoke is also currently in a new film called “LEAF”. In addition he is also a cast member of the hit T.V. show, “Heavy Sedation” as well as the web series, “Fighter’s high”. The Smoke works with inner city youth in motivating and being a positive role model.
If you are interested in learning more about Eric, additional information can be found at www.myspace.com/thesmokehasspoken.
You can listen to a recent interview with him at www.blogtalkradio.com/Philly_Celebrity.
