Sofia Quintero

Carolina Circuit Writers Presents Connecting Communities Through Literature: The Artist In Residence Project featuring Latina Hip-Hop Novelist Sofia Quintero. Sofia Quintero was born into a Dominican Puerto Rican family and raised in the Bronx, New York. She was written four novels entieled: "Explicit Content," Picture Me Rollin'," "Burn," and "Divas Don't Yield." She has also written two screenplays entitled: "Corporate Dawgz" and "Blind Date." The Carolina Circuit Writers program is a statewide literary consortium consisting of academic,community,and cultural center partners that bring engaging writers of color to the state as short-term residents. This years's project includes: Connecting Communites Through Literature, which envisioned to underscore the importance of cultural programs that link communities of color, ease divisions, and blind alliances. Sofia Quintero stated: " My work is informed by hip-hop, its reflection of what is going on, it's a platform a place for me to challenge injustices. It is where I can tell my own story, it's where I tell the story of the people I know and love. I found Ms. Quintero's lecture rather intresting. I enjoyed the audio piece she demostrated with our class. I found it intresting how many students created their own storyline or plot the the film when there was no sound.

UNC Radio Guest

On friday, March 23, 2007, our Mass Media and Society class had UNC Radio special guest speakers, Leoneda Inge and Cori Princell. Leonneda Inge is a reporter at UNC Radio and Cori Princell is a producer at UNC Radio. The two guests speakers spoke about working at UNC Radio. The speakers also played audio productions of their boradcast segments. The two guest were awarded with Oustanding In Boradcoasting Awards. North Carolina Public Radio is a public radio network based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The network consists of three stations: WUNC, broadcasting from Chapel Hill on 91.5 FM;WRQM from Rocky Mount on 90.9; and WUND from Manteo on 88.9. WUNF Radio is owned by the trustees of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The broadcast area for WUNC Radio is the Research Triangle and eastern North Carolina.

Dr. Cornel West Speaks at NCCU

On Monday, March 19, 2007 our Mass Media and Society class watched a clip of the lecture of Dr. Cornel West at North Carolina Central University. Dr. West spoke on many important issues that the African American community is facing. Dr. West spoke on the legacy of North Carolina Central University and the sacrifices that Dr. Shepard had to endure while trying to create this institutuion. Dr. West stated that it is our responsibility to continue to build on Dr. Shepard's legacy for the next generation. Dr. West asked the question, "what kind of legacy will you leave behind?" Dr. West stated that "I'm not suprised to see black success, I expect black sucess!!" Dr. West staed that "the unexamined life is not worth living," and "once a person stops learning, they stop growing and consoquently they stop living." I found Dr. West's lecture was profound and inspiring.

Bishop Eddie Long

On friday, March 2, 2007 our Mass Media and Society class viewed a clip of the class of 2004 commencement speech at North Carolina Central University. The special guest speaker was NCCU alum Bishop Eddie Long. Bishop Eddie Long is the fouonder of and pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church located in Lithonia, Georgia. Bishop Long earned his Bachlors begree in Businesss Administration from NCCU and a Masters of divinity form Moorehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. I found Bishop Long's commencment speech rather profound. Bishop Long seemed to have a vested intrest in North Carolina Central University and it's students. Bishop Long encouraged the 2004 graduate to "keep running" towards their dreams, and not just settle for a job. I would be honored to have Bishop Long back for another commencement in the future. (Class of 2009)

Dr. Trevy McDonald

On Wednesday, February 28, 2007, our Mass Media and Society class had special guest speaker, Trevy McDonald. Dr. McDonald holds a Ph. D in Communication Studies from The University of Winconsin at Oshkosh. From 1996-1999 Dr. McDonald taught Mass Media and Society at North Carolina Central University. Dr. McDonald began her career in radio, and since then she has moved to writing and publishing books. Dr. McDonald has published 5 books and two written 2 screenplays. Two of Dr. McDonald's most popular books are entitled: "Nature of A Sista", and "Building A Community". Dr. McDonald's two screeplays are entitled: "Time will Tell" and "Brandi Surfs the Web". Dr. McDonald currently owns and operates Reyomi Book Publishing company located in Durham, North Carolina. During her lecture, Dr. McDonald spoke on the three keys to a sucessful life. She stated that the three keys to living a fullfilled life were: Faith, Focus (Frequent Optimism Causes Ultimate Success), and Guidance. She stated that once these three elements are combined, there is no doubt that a person will live a sucessful life. Overall, I found Dr. McDonald's lecture rather intresting and informative.

Mr. Luther King Jr. " The Price of Freedom"

On Monday, February 19, 2007 our Mass Media/Society watched a WTVD News exclusive program entitled: "Mr. Luther King Jr, The Price of Fredom. This News program was hosted by then WTVD News channel 11 achnor Mariam Thomas. This clip was a group panel discussion with prominent African Americans in the area. They discussed many important factors within the African American community. The panel consisted of Ben Ruffin, Maceo Sloan, Melanie Wilson, and Warren Armstrong, Jr. One important factor which was mentioned during the discussion was the lack of support for black owned businesses. They discussed how blacks do not suppport their own companies. Mr. Sloan stated that most blacks are afraid to take the risk in fear of failure and having no back up plan. There were a number of important factors in regard to the African American community discussed within this forum. I found this program informative and enlighting.

The Hip Hop Industry

Throughout Hip Hop's 25 year history, many ideas, sounds, and business matters have changed. One thing that conyinues to remain the same is the struggle of the artist against his/her music label. In spite of the wide range of characters and styles in the late 1980's, mid 1990's, by the late 1990's hip hop found itself seperating into two areas: mainstream and underground. Most major label artist got their start by independent labels. The late 1990's brought growing financial success of independent labels, distributors, and retailers enabled many underground artists to bypass the major labels altogether.The result of this new industry dynamic is that between major and independent labels. The music industry has always been one of raw, cut throat energy. Although many of today's most popular artist are signed to major labels, they have more control in the development and business decisions of the work they create.