In it's Venue for an Artist, The DISH features young and old artists from around the world. Artists include the famous and up-and-coming. There are poets, comedians, writers, playwrights and story-tellers. This page provides links to a few of those who have made contributions to the only international on-line weekly dedicated to the dialogue on Race- The DISH

§ § Issue 1 § §

My name is Keneatha Knight. I have written all my life. Now, I am ready to pursue it seriously. I work for a financial services company in Tennessee. I plan to transfer to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue my writing. I would like to transfer with my currently employer. However, my first objective is to get my writing heard, seen, and published. I'm 25 and love anything that causes my people, especially my generation, to stop, think and become more aware. I'm a true hip-hop admirer. NOT a fan. I love the words and the message hidden within.

§ § Issue 2 § §

About Me: Author Unknown

The DISH received this poem via email; its author is unknown. Included with the poem, Cgreen@benserv.com wrote "Have a fruitful and prosperous New Year and don't forget the man upstairs, try to give him more of your time in the coming year. Thanks to all of my friends for a most memorable year. Hope to share more good memories in 1999. Be blessed."

§ § Issue 3 § §

By Angel

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§ § Issue 5 § §

Author Unknown: These comments accompanied the poem: "What the author should have added: "There is killing amongst our children, degradation against our women, infestation of disease throughout our communities, and distribution of drugs in our blood, and sadly, we call ourselves NIGGA. As evolved as we are, until we stop allowing our lives to evolve around what others think of our image and actions as a people and start, instead acting as we would like to see ourselves we will only become what THEY called us to begin with". E-mail: Sdavis@wakemed.org.

§ § Issue 11 § §

Sanctimonious by dot

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§ § Issue 12 § §

by LaTonya Shante' McNeail

Ms. McNeail is a regular contributor of Hood Notes

§ § Issue 13 § §

By D.J. Williams

About Me: Called Lonely here, this untitled poem was written by a teenage son who sees and understands his mother's lonely existence. Desherick Jamaal Williams (DJ) is a 14 years old freshman at The Colony High School, in The Colony, TX ( a suburb of Dallas). DJ enjoys reading, computers, writing poetry, writing, music, singing and is now forming a gospel musical group called INFINITY, which is comprised of area high school students. Watch out Kirk Franklin! According to DJ's mom, "they sound pretty good acapella, they need a sponsor and musician.) (Pictured is DJ, his sister and mother)

§ § Issue14 § §

By Keneatha Knight

 About Me: I write because, if I didn't I would die. I want to share it with the world because I'm tired of being silent. Renae

§ § Issue15 § §

About Author: Creator of this joke and the author of the adjacent poem are unknown. This joke was forwarded to The DISH by Nocturnus@mindspring.com

§ § Issue16 § §

By Malane Shani

(Reprinted from Pieces of the Heart: A Collection of Poetry, 1998)

About Me: Malane Shani is multi-talented. A spiritual counselor, vocalist and poet, Malane expresses her love for life and people through writing, singing and assisting others in discovering and aligning with their unique paths. Malane's book of poetry, "Pieces of the Heart," gives us glimpses of her life experiences, which motivate her as a "life-enrichment counselor," as well as provide the source for her inspiration and desire to share her insights to assist others in embarking on the path of self-love.

§ § Issue 17 § §

by Earl "We One" Strozier

Poet, playwright and work in progress, Earl "We One" Strozier, pictured on the left with J.B. 

§ § Issue 20 § §

By Monica Davis

About Me: "I run a marketing and promotions company in Indiana. My focus right now is trying to keep all of my projects together without overloading my reluctant brain cells. I have completed one book, and am actively searching for agent/publisher. I have two others in the works. My passion is rabble rousing, getting city government off its collective behind, and keeping the Huns from my neighborhood. I love to singe cyberspace with my "brain droppings" and any forum I can get is greatly appreciated. I run an Internet discussion group and am actively seeking bright, inquisitive folks to join. I hale from Indiana University, many lifetimes ago, and got no patience for sheepskin totin' dimwits."

§ § Issue 21 § §

About Me: I am creator of the web-site BLACK QUEST-THE GRIOT. Check it out at http://blackquest.com. Click on the "Creator" when you get there.

§ § Issue 22 §§

About Me: My name is Sa'Mone L. Jenkins. I am a recent (May 1998) graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I hold a B.A. in Anthropology, which spawned my interest in researching and writing about different cultures. I now reside in the suburbs of Atlanta, where I am employed full-time, volunteer at various non-profit health organizations, in addition to being a freelance writer. Sa'Mone can be reached at ewsj@email.msn.com.

About Me: Larry Jaffe started writing at age 11. According to Larry, "Life is a poem and I write it." He is committed to returning poetry to the people and speaks strongly about the role of poetry and poets in today's society. His recent books include Unprotected Poetry, Hate's Not Natural, Winter Rose, and Jewish Soul Food. Visit Jaffe at http://www.larryjaffe.com

§§ Issue 23 §§

About Me: Starr Pickens, author of The Nakedness of a Poet, hales from Virginia. For the past six months, she has been performing on the ATL spoken word scene. Ms. Pickens truly lives up to her first name; Starr is one of the six finalists in the Jomandi City Wide Slam held earlier this year. All those interested can peep her shine at local spoken word spots like Yin Yang Café and The Patti Hut. Starr is definitely on the rise, so keep your head up and you won=t miss the shine. Contact Info: E-mail: starr1@ecompare.com or V-mail: (404) 896-4781.

§§ Issue 24 §§

About Me: My name is Tony Skilandis. For the past two years, I have been researching the African American serviceman in WWII. I am looking for stateside help to finish this research. I hope to publish something next year, jointly with whoever helps complete the research. I live in a small town on the outskirts of Liverpool, England. I hold an Honours Degree and an upper Masters Degree in History, both degrees are in American studies. My main interests are African American military and European History. E-mail: TONYSKIL@aol.com

§§ Issue 25 §§

About Me: My name is Daryle W. (William) Allen. I am as follows: Age: 49 (soon to be 50) Born: 9/26/49. Employment: 30 years US Govt. employed. Married twice with four (4) children, ranging in age from 7 to 28. I also have four (4) grandchildren. I enjoy photography/videography, genealogy, poetry and playing golf whenever time permits.

§§ Issue 26 §§

About Me: Gloria Winston Al-Sarag, (Rochester, NY) is a writer and community organizer; her "Straight No Chaser@column was featured in the Frederick Douglas Voice Newspaper. She wrote entertainment columns and editorials for the Buffalo Challenger Newspaper; she co-founded About Time Magazine and founded Spectrum Models. Other accomplishments include being the only Rochesterian to walk thru the history book as a national staff member of Jesse Jackson' s first Presidential Campaign. Currently, she is a budding genealogist and researcher. She is a wife, mother of 2 adult sons, and grandmother of 4. Her favorite saying: AIt is the heat and pressure that forges the Diamond!@ E-mail JazzyG4202@aol.com

§§ Issue 28 §§

 Know Your History by H.F. Chatman, II

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§§ Issue 36 §§

About the Author: Currently, he is imprisoned, awaiting death in his conviction for murder of a policeman. Mumia symbolizes the struggle to end police brutality and the death penalty. A talented journalist, Free Mumia has become a cry being heard around the world, as more and more people join the fight to end the brutality embodied in the death penalty. This is one of Mumia Abu-Jamal's greatest contributions.

§§ Issue 37 §§

 About Me: Ben Mboya Ward is a member of W.A.R. (Writers Against Racism). WAR is an association of writers dedicated to fighting racism in America by providing information and thought-provoking commentaries. As a systematic ideological force designed to rationalize and sustain white socio-economic, political and cultural supremacy, racism continues to be the most significant threat to the human rights of African Americans. We believe that information sharing is empowering and a critical part of forestalling its destructive impact. If you would like to be a part of the WAR effort, email Ben at liberated_voices@yahoo.com.

§§ Issue 38 §§

 About Me: "Kamal Symonette-Dixon is better known in metro Atlanta as DIALETIC. Born in Manhattan on February 1, 1978, Kamal acquired the name DIALETIC while performing with an underground hip-hop group in Atlanta, where he attends Morehouse College. A senior this year, Kamal is majoring in English with a minor in Philosophy. He plans to acquire his Masters and Doctorates degrees in Philosophy. Kamal wants to make contributions on important issues in disciplines as diverse as philosophy, politics, sociology and psychology. Kamal attempts to put passion in everything he does. And, he hopes that the end results of all his endeavors reflect this emotion." For your copy of Kamal's Unconscious Poetry, a beautiful fast read of twelve wonderful poems, call 404-756-0977.

§§ Issue 40 §§

About Me: Somehow greater than the sum of my experiences, every once in a while I get the urge to try my hand at different forms of expression. I like the cadence of my thoughts in reflecting on a recent Florida trip. I can't remember another vacation that generated more thought. For more about me, visit our Website at ICIM Directors.

§§ Issue 42 §§

About Me: Tony B. Conscious is an entrepreneur and a poet who has been featured in several poetry magazines, newsletters and on the Internet. He has self-published numerous works, including "Black Luv" and "Hue-Manity;" both are collections of his poetry.

§§ Issue 49 §§

About Me: Deborah Williams is the mother of two talented young people. Her son D.J. has been featured in The DISH on several occasions. A family portrait is included on this page for Volume 13 in which D.J's last poem appeared. Entitled "Lonely," Deborah provided the inspiration for this lovely poem. As you can see, the son gets his talent for words from his mother. 

§§ Issue 50 §§

About Me: Featured in our Kudos last week, Crystal Clemons is a 10^th grader at Centennial High, where "a few students wear confederate flags on their T-shirts. This project has been an eye-opening experience for Crystal, who aspires to be an attorney. Her long-term objective is the middle seat on the United States Supreme Court. Having researched the lives of Rosa Parks, the Little Rock Nine, Thurgood Marshall, etc, Crystal knows it will not be easy, but she is determined. For now, she is contemplating a speaking tour to convince Governor Roy Barnes and the state legislature to change the state's flag.

§§ Issue 51 §§

About Me: Curtis Mayfield died Sunday, December 26, 1999. His music spoke about us; it captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation struggling to reconcile America's promise with our reality. Curtis will be missed by all that love his music and appreciated his special gift for delivering a powerful message. You will be missed. We salute you - Curtis Mayfield - a musical legend and a Nightjohn!

§§ Issue 52 §§

About Me: "Air Jay "(bro_ic@hotmail.com) My name is Rick Roberson. I am a Christian single black male in my mid thirties. Jesus is my life. I work in Computer Information Technology. I love working with people and computers. I also enjoy writing poems or stories and chatting with friends on Aim.

Venue for an Artist ……. Volume 3 (2000)

§ § The DISH Ó 1999 § §