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SHAZZAR

Who I Am

SHAZZAR

Welcome to my homepage! My name is Shazzar (Man of God), aka Imani (FAITH), which is the seventh principle of Kwanzaa! I am a Christian who runs for the glory of God. I am a Champion in Christ and a Creative Writer! I was born in Houston, Texas in the Lone Star state, but I was raised in the West in a city called Long Beach, California where the weather is always sunny. It's a nice place to live. I graduated from the University of Southern California where I majored in English (Creative Writing), my favorite professor was Carol Muske Dukes. I also graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a Master's degree. Do you want to see how I look? Well take a "LOOK" at my photos! I'm single and I'm waiting on God to send me A Spiritual Woman. I focus on my calling through Faith & Fear! I walk by faith, and not by sight! We must all Know our God and realize that we have come This Far By Faith!

I write poetry, fiction, plays, screenplays, song lyrics , etc., hopefully you'll be hearing about me soon. Until then you can sample a few of MY POEMS! Here's a short story I wrote called A Will and A Way, it's about love! I have other stories located on my poetry page. I plan to be even greater than my literary mentors who are Langston Hughes, my main literary role model, Maya Angelou, my inspiration, Sonia Sanchez, she reminds me most of my poetic-self, Alice Walker, is a kindred writer unto me, Nikki Giovanni, a true poetic soul, Yusef Komunyakaa, a prolific prized poet, Gordon Parks, a true renaissance man like myself, Mildred Taylor, she gave me the hunger to create and the desire to teach through my writing, J. California Cooper, a master of the short story, Zora Neale Hurston, a master of poetic fiction, Toni Morrison, winner of the "Nobel Prize in Literature", need I say more?, Richard Wright, truly a great Black writer, powerful Paul Laurence Dunbar, a pioneer of poetry, deft Dorothy West, the youngest writer of the Harlem Renaissance, a great period in our history, Young Adult writer Walter Dean Myers, we share the same creative inspiration to write and express our literary voice, Virginia Hamilton, my first inspiration and the first writer I ever met, Edwidge Danticat, a future great writer, and Octavia Butler, the Queen of Science Fiction! I also admire the great Mark Twain, he was a charismatic writer and a complex character of life! My goal is to become a great writer and give honor to those who came before me!

My Music

I love MUSIC, especially GOSPEL (Gospel Flava)! Serene Karen Clark-Sheard from The Clark Sisters is one of the closest things to hearing an angel sing and my favorite soloist! The virtuous women of Virtue are better than ever! Celestial Cee Cee Michaela (listen) brings a unique blend of jazz, blues, gospel and soul on her journey of love, hope and inspiration! Kinetic Debra Killings will make you want to Surrender to God! Lovely Lisa McClendon (listen to two whole songs), brings Neo-Soul to Gospel music in a powerful & spiritual way! Check out her new album Soul Music! Dynamic Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity (listen) a young minister and choir that takes gospel to a new level. Check out his first Grammy nominated solo album "Lost and Found"! Deitrick's wife Damita Haddon is a soulful siren of Gospel! Spiritually smooth Smokie Norful (listen & video) truly has something to say! Dynamic Dorinda Clark-Cole (listen), is the anointed evangelist of The Clark Sisters! Divine DeLeon Richards, one of my first gospel music favorites! Gospel Grammy winner Eartha Moore is simply etherealwith her albums This I Know & Sidebars! L'essentiel Liz McComb brings powerful FIRE to gospel music! Gospel Rap's Wu Tang Clan is The Cross Movement (listen), they are men of God who will leave you blessed, The Ambassador from the Cross Movement camp is a true ambassador for Christ! Grammy nominated & Gifted GRITS (listen), is one of the best Gospel Rap groups on Earth! Three lovely, young sistas in the Lord are Out of Eden (listen & full-length videos). Knowledgeable Knowdaverbs is now more versitile and known as VERBS, simply one of Gospel Rap's best. Speech (Arrested Development) is a founder of spiritual hip hop! Soulful siren CeCe Winans (listen), her new "Throne Room" album is simply majestic! Rising Rebecca Eaglin (listen) sings "God Says You Can"! Spiritual Minded KRS-ONE & The Temple of Hiphop, Hip Hop's Teacher turns Preacher! The Fugees of Faith are the Souljahz (listen), three spiritually soulful siblings! The divine music of Tarralyn Ramsey (listen) will touch the soul! She is born to diva! Radiant a radiant way! Destiny's Michelle Williams (official fansite) sings her heart unto the Lord in a beautiful way! Melodious Melanie Finley, is a blessed singer from my hometown! Holy Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir (listen) are an all-time favorite. Faithful Kirk Franklin (listen) has experienced a Rebirth! Righteous Renee Spearman and Prez featuring Prosperity (listen & video), "celebrate" the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Cool Tonéx (listen) [check out his video from Holyhiphop.com] brings rhythm & soul to gospel music! Youthful Praise is an awesome choir who sings about our Awesome God! Marvelous Mary Mary [(listen) & (visit their church)] are two spiritual sistas who sing about our Incredible God! Trin-i-tee 5:7 are three gospel divas and one my favorite female groups. Harmonious Blessed are a blessing to gospel music! Papa San has gotten the Victory through Christ! Urban Soul's Raymond & CO, the UK's leading gospel group! Sweet Pam & Dodi give gospel some urban flava! Stronger than ever Grammy winning Yolanda Adams is an instrument of God's praise! Donnie McClurkin creates spiritual songs that are sung everywhere. Lovely Londa Larmond (listen) sings about being a Christian through "Love Letters"! Mighty Mahalia Jackson (listen) is truly the greatest gospel singer ever! Pastor Shirley Caesar (listen) is one of the greatest gospel singers of all-time! Divine duo Daughters of Zion (listen) are two sisters who are separated unto God! Anointed Kim Burrell (listen), sings about the Holy Spirit! Marvelous Nicole C. Mullen (listen & video) sings about why our REDEEMER lives! Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ (listen) will inspire you to get your Holy Praise on! John P. Kee & New Life (listen) has a life-changing ministry! Celestial Jaci Velasquez (listen), is a blessing to Christian music! Powerful P.O.D. rocks hard for the Rock of Salvation! Blessed Brent Jones and the T.P. Mobb [(listen) & (visit his church)] is a group that is full of gospel flava! Soulful The Singletons (listen) bring some family-filled faith to gospel music! Faithful First Choice (listen), are three teens who make God & gospel their first choice! Ametria is simply awesome! Natalie Wilson & The S.O.P. Chorale (listen) bring new flava to gospel music! Talented Traci Thomas is a woman who will help you renew your mind. Shadonna (listen), is a new gospel diva! Crystal Lewis (listen) has one of the most soulful voices in Christian music! LeJuene Thompson sings with Soul Inspiration! Talented Tim "Bishop" Brown & Miracle Mass Choir (listen), represents the West Coast in gospel! Restine Jackson & Grace has a "Praise Party" going on! Kelli Williams (listen) will put you in the myx of God's will! Canadian Gospel's Paula Griffith, is Chosen to sing for God! The One Nation Crew (listen) brings a culturally diverse love to gospel music. Spiritual Pieces will give you some spiritual Soul Food! The Reverend Jackie McCullough (listen) is truly inspirational! James Grear & Company (listen) is a group who jams for Jesus! New Direction will lead you the right way! Bishop Andrew Merritt & Straight Gate Mass Choir's (listen) "Faith in The House", is one of the best in Praise & Worship! Faithful Chevelle Franklyn is a serious girl for Christ who is filled with JOY! Redeemed Carlene Davis (listen), a Jamaican Jewel for Jesus. Joye B. Moore (listen), a butterfly flying high for God. My soul was blessed by Walt Whitman & the Soul Children of Chicago (listen) magnificent new album. Sara Von Davenport (listen) is a future gospel great. The U.K. brings us True Solace (listen), they'll give you A New Beginning. Spiritually smooth SOUL, (listen) is like a fresh wind. Lamar Campbell (listen) will let you feel the Spirit and Nancey Jackson (listen) will let you know about relationships. Minister Marvin Sapp (listen) sings about God's grace & mercy! The Tri-City Singers are triumphant, and more! TENNESSEE by Arrested Development is my all-time favorite rap song! The great John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" (listen) is an amazing album and spiritual journey! An awesome gospel website is Kay 3 Music! Check out Contempo Gospel for an online blessing of Gospel! Peep out some cool Gospel Rap & Hip Hop links! EMI Gospel has some of the best gospel artists! See Gospel Videos at The Gospel Zone! Get ready and let's go to Gospel City! Want to hear some gospel music that'll touch your soul? Visit Nuthin But Gospel Music & Ministry Connection & Nuthin But Gospel (More Music)! Meet fellow lovers of God and gospel music at Gospel Pals, come and let's fellowship!

My Interests

The Holy Bible is my Favorite Book, but next to it is a book everyone should have Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado, a true man of God! Acts of Faith by the inspirational Iyanla Vanzant is truly a faithful blessing for all cultures with enlightenment. Jewel Diamond Taylor is a woman of inspiration! Poet Ursula Rucker is truly a Super Sista! My favorite artist is Ernie Barnes, who brings life to artwork! My favorite Christian artist is Thomas Kinkade, his art brilliantly shines with divine light! I loved the musical "The Lion King", it's truly an amazing experience! My favorite in dance is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, an essence of rhythm & grace! I love running track and field, and I plan on running at the Summer Olympic Games one day in the 800 meters run! I have to show some love to my friend, the great athlete Angela Williams (bio) who is a future Olympic Gold medalist! I also love reading, writing, and cooking (I can cook anything), some of my favorite gourmet dishes to prepare are Caribbean, Creole and Cajun foods, I think i'm addicted to spices! Some of my favorite dishes are Chicken Creole, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Mango Cheese Cake, Fried Chicken & Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Potato Fries, and most Soul Food, except beef and anything that has to do with pork, I hate it! I basically love chicken! I love the game of Chess because it's full of meaningfulness! I love traveling, and I never get lost because I have good directions! I'm someone who believes in knowing the time of day! I pray this "Day of Infamy" will encourage more people to Seek God!

My Movies

I love movies! Some of my favorite films in no order except the first one are "Eve's Bayou", a masterpiece and my all-time favorite film, Maya Angelou's "Down In The Delta", truly magnificent & moving, the classic "Hallelujah", truly a glorious monument in film history, two good films about the RAPTURE are "The Rapture", thought-provoking & "Left Behind", soul-searching for truth, "Joshua", a parable for today, "The Apostle", a spiritual journey, momentous "Monster's Ball", powerful with complexity & great depth, soulful "Nothing But A Man", truly one of the best Black love stories of all-time, classic "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", a lyrical masterpiece of visual beauty, Toni Morrison's "BELOVED", truly uplifting and beyond words, "SLAM", lyrical expression of poetics to the fullest featuring Saul Williams, a prolific ("Sha-Clack-Clack") poet & soulful Sonja Sohn ("Run Free") poetess, "LOVE JONES", lyrically speaks poetry to the soul, "Finding Forrester", the power of words!, "Antwone Fisher", faith & forgiveness, "Our Song", a beautiful ballad, "Love & Basketball", a triumph of the heart!, "Brown Sugar", soulfully sweet, "Black Orpheus", the most lush film I've ever seen featuring the unforgettable Marpessa Dawn, poetic "One Heart Broken Into Song", a beautifully lush romance, "Daughters of the Dust", sacred beauty from the earth, mystical "The Matrix", mind over matter, "George Washington", the summer of youth, exilarating "Better Luck Tomorrow", truly thought-provoking & compelling, "30 Years to Life", where life begins, "Boycott", a blessed film, "Boyz N The Hood", emotional depth and importance, "The Color Purple", truly touches the soul, mighty "Malcolm X", a mentor, "Glory", true courage and sacrifice, "Whale Rider", simply a wonderful film, "City of God", a blazin' Brazilian film, "Black Hawk Down", heart-wrenching, "Tears of the Sun", tragedy into triumph, "Dances With Wolves", my Native American ancestory, "Smoke Signals", a mission of self-discovery, spellbinding "Spirited Away", a spiritual adventure, "The Fast Runner", survival of the fitess, "Rabbit Proof Fence", a journey of survival, "Signs", faith over fear, "Fear of a Black Hat", a truly hilarious classic, "8 Mile", electrifying, "DRUMLINE", rhythms of drums & life, "Barbershop", comedic controversy, "The Hurricane", trials of triumph, "Men of Honor", most honorable, "Minority Report", breaking majority rules, "Bamboozled", mystifying & revealing, "Changing Lanes", vengence is mine, "John Q", full of heart, "The Sixth Sense", a haunting and enlightening film, "Shakespeare In Love", mesmerizing, "Hav Plenty", truly reminds me of myself, "GATTACA", a science fiction treasure, "Amélie", amorous delight, "The Lord of the Rings", fantasy-filled adventure, "He Got Game", has heart & soul, "Rosewood", the truth, "The Cider House Rules" introduces Erykah Badu the actress, "Jason's Lyric", the power of love, "Baby Boy", when boys become men bodaciously, "Ghost World", a way cool movie, "Pumpkin", brilliantly bold satire, "Thirteen", a realistic view on being a new teen, "Seabiscuit", truly an inspiring story, Disney's "The Lion King", the circle of life & "Atlantis: The Lost Empire", enchanting with amazement, "Spider-Man", amazing, "ALI", the greatest, "O", an outstanding adaptation, "The Best Man", teaches faithful lessons in love, "Sparkle", sweeter than honey, "Fresh", the freshest film, "Menace II Society", a truthful story, "Training Day", raw reality, "Hoop Dreams", believe in your dreams, "Chariots of Fire", what true champions are made of, "Without Limits", no fear, "Endurance", inspiring, "The Long Run", running on trust & faith, "Do The Right Thing", Fight the Power!, uplifting "Get On The Bus", united we stand!, "The Brothers", love & understanding, "Kingdom Come", faith, love & family, "The Learning Tree", a sentimental awakening, "The Visit", the verity of life, "A Soldier's Story", powerful, "Imitation Of Life", to thyself be true, "Possession", literarily provocative, "The Preacher's Wife", full of joyful cheer, "The Prince of Egypt", full of faith, "Sounder", family faith, "In Too Deep", profound resonance, "American History X", meaningful, "The Last Dragon", a childhood classic, "Princess Mononoke", full of enchantment, "Metropolis", simply marvelous, "RECESS", joys of youth, "Titan A.E.", a visual treasure, "A.I. Artificial Intelligence", an intelligent film, "The Caveman's Valentine", another Kasi creation, "Set It Off", Sista power, "Dead Presidents", ambition, "The Eye", haunting thriller, "The Gift", insightful, "Return To Me", two of my favorites together, "The Count of Monte Cristo", justice through redemption, "Angel Eyes", heart rendering, "You've Got Mail", computer love, "Three Kings", truly royal, "TITANIC", an epic adventure, "Star Wars",beyond imagination, "Liberty Heights", is poetic justice, "The Wood", let's reminisce back in the days, "Memento", memory subjectivity, "Blade 2", sharp as a sword, "The Green Mile", miraculous, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", sojourned adventures, "Life", full of vitality, "SOUL FOOD", food for the soul, "A Little Princess", a precious film, "Sankofa", freedom, "Contact", a test of faith, "Belly", blazingly hypnotic, "Light It Up", let your light shine, "Boomerang", when you know who you love, "Coming To America", for richer or poor, "Higher Learning", unlearn, "Boiler Room", intelligent intrigue, "The Postman", joys of poetry & love, "Besieged", love or loyalty?, "Amistad", liberty, "Good Will Hunting", always believe in yourself, "AntiTrust", cool cyber-thriller, "Cast Away", the journey of life, "Mission Impossible 2", breathtaking, "Forrest Gump", great gumption, "Unbreakable", enduring, "The Negotiator", perseverance, "Just Another Girl On The I.R.T.", sista with life, "The Five Heartbeats", soulful, "Superfly", super cool!, "Great Expectations", dreamy, "Carmen Jones", Dorothy Dandridge's finest, "Porgy and Bess" another Dandridge classic about love, "Angel Heart", spellbinding, "The Journey of August King", sacrifice, "Dancehall Queen", sweet Jamaica I love, "Secrets & Lies", the truth will set you free, "The X-Files Movie", search for truth, "The Cell", visually intriguing, "A Bronx Tale", lessons to learn, "Car Wash", introduced the world to Rose Royce (song lyrics), "The Wiz", my first theatrical film, "Cooley High", a cool classic, "Scream", terror with laughter, "Final Destination", fateful fright, "The Exorcist", the scariest movie ever, "Deep Blue Sea", totally entertaining, "The Waterboy", funny, and too many more to mention. Midnight Ramble is a place that gives honor to the great Black films of the past. Check out some good Black films at Urban Entertainment! See what 3 Black Chicks think about films! An excellent film review site is Roger Ebert on Movies! For a Christian perspective please visit Christian Spotlight on the Movies!

My Players

As far as film stars are concerned, these are some of my favorites: I love Denzel Washington [(bio) & (Oscar for Best Actor Speech)], a good role model and great actor! Angela Bassett (bio), I think she's beautiful, intelligent, and a very talented actress! Mighty Mos Def (bio), a lyrical performer & actor! Celestial Cee Cee Michaela [(bio) & (another cool site)] is a breath of fresh air & a woman of God! Ethereal Erykah Badu (bio), is a gifted singer/actress! Beautiful Rebekah Johnson (bio), is one of my most favorite creative artists, she touched my heart in "Liberty Heights", she is also a wonderful musical artist! Powerful James Earl Jones (bio), has given me so much inspiration to let my voice be heard! Tantalizing Thandie Newton (bio), is a wonderful actress! Gifted Jeffrey Wright (bio), is a brilliant actor ready to shine! Virtuous Jaci Velasquez is a wonderful example of a Christian entertainer!. Wonderful Kerry Washington [(bio) & (interview)] is a sensational scene stealer! Magnificent Morgan Freeman [(bio) & (sounds)], is truly a great actor! Gorgeous Halle Berry [(bio) & (Oscar for Best Actress Speech)], is a trailblazer & soaring star! Harvard J.D. grad Hill Harper (bio), is a gifted actor! Cute Cree Summer (bio), is the voice of animation! Outstanding Orlando Jones (bio), truly a funny and talented actor! Colorful T'Keyah "Crystal" Keymáh (bio), is a woman of vision and culture! Beautiful Kellie Shanygne Williams (bio), I watched her grow up! Tobey Maguire (bio), is terrific! Adorable Tamala Jones (bio), is simply sassy! Vivacious Valarie Rae Miller (bio, cool site, t.v. show, chat & feature story), a creative cutie! Lovely Aunjanue Ellis (bio) is an awesome actress! Smooth Samuel L. Jackson (bio) is one of the best in the business! Will Smith (bio), another good role model and actor along with his beautiful wife Jada Pinkett-Smith (bio), she loved my poem "Pink Jade"! Wise Wesley Snipes (bio), is as smooth as can be! Beautiful Lynn Whitfield (bio), is always classy! Jurnee Smollett (bio) is my favorite young actress, she is Eve of "Eve's Bayou"! Laurence Fishburne (bio) is a fine actor! Outstanding Omar Epps (bio) and Sanaa Lathan (bio), two talented young actors who give meaning to "Love & Basketball"! Awesome Adrien Brody (bio), is a brilliant actor! Bold Bruce Willis (bio) is a multi-talented performer! David Duchovny (bio), who makes you believe! Marvelous Minnie Driver (bio), always wins my admiration! Cool George Clooney (bio), a chameleon-like actor! Tom Hanks (bio) is truly talented! Dynamite Vin Diesel (bio) is rising to the top! Cool Cuba Gooding Jr. (bio), an outstanding actor! Lovely Nia Long (bio), she's in all my favorite films! Ethan Hawke (bio), is an excellent actor! Pretty Gwyneth Paltrow (bio), shows grace and elegance! Bold Billy Bob Thornton (bio), is a chameleon-like actor. Meet my friend, the lovely, sweet and beautiful Ebonie Smith (bio)! I really admire Kasi Lemmons (bio & conversation), for creating the masterpiece that "Eve's Bayou" is! Thank you Kasi! I also have crazy love for "STORM", the only true Sista Superhero and "X-Men"! Please, say a prayer for the soul and learn from the life of singer/actress Aaliyah Dana Haughton. Run for "the true prize" of life!

My Mentors

There are few who inspire me and I call them my mentors: JESUS CHRIST, The Lord and Savior! Belteshazzar (Prophet Daniel), a great man of faith and my namesake! My Parents, without them where would I be? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a great man of purpose and vision. Langston Hughes is the definition of a writer! Dr. Maya Angleou is truly magnificent. Kevin Johnson, a great basketball player who gave me my first scholarship and someone who keeps Hope alive! Pastor Max Lucado is a true man of God. The Reverend Jackie McCullough is an anointed woman of God. Gordon Parks, proves there are no boundaries to creativity, W.E.B. Du Bois, a great man of intellectual vision. Frederick Douglass, a true freedom fighter. Malcolm X, a powerful voice of evolution of one's self and people. Denzel Washington, the greatest actor alive. James Earl Jones is a man who proves that greatness can be achieved no matter what one's beginnings are. Wilma Rudolph encouraged me to achieve by overcoming her obstacles in life, and Michael Johnson is a champion running the race of faith. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds taught me about chivalry. Sonia Sanchez, we share the same poetic essence! Dr. Creflo and Taffi Dollar, pastors/ teachers who are world changers for God! I will achieve greatness as a writer, runner, and speaker using my gifts to do the will of God!

One day I plan on visiting my ancestral homeland of AFRICA. I love finding out info about my people and culture, some good places to visit are "Africans In America", "Black History", "More Black History", "AFRICANA", "AFRO-America", "Black America Web", "The Black Web Portal", The Black World Today", Everything Black, and The Monastereo (Black Christian)! You must know where you're from in this life to know where you're going! I didn't get the chance to attend one, but check out the Historically Black Colleges & Universities! I'm thankful and proud to be Black & Christian!

My Favorite Links

This Far By Faith!

Christian Answers!

Praize (Christian Search)!

Black Native American!

Black America Web!

Poets & Writers!

African American Literature!

IAAF (track & field)!

USATF (track & field)!

Nuthin But Gospel!

The GospelZone!

Kay 3 Music (Gospel)!

Shadow Soldier!

Free Translations!

World Timezones!

Midnight Ramble!

Athletics Heroes!

Track Athletes!

Tonos (music insider)!

Women Writers of Color!

Native American Authors!

Famous Stutterers!

"Word By Word"!

I love music, reading, and televison. Some of my favorite links are Ebony Magazine (I'm in the April '99 on p. 15), Track & Field News, Christianity Today, Gospel Today, CrossWords, "The Lion King" Musical, Track and Field, Cool Runnings, Nike Running, Runner's World magazine, Track & Field Links, "The Simpsons", "The Bernie Mac Show", "24" television show, Women of Color Women of Word, "Urban-American Filmmakers" Resources, EURweb, Vibe Magazine, Billboard Magazine, Liquid Soul Radio, Colored Reflections, Trackwire Online, The Running Network, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, California Schemin', Goapele, BMW USA, Recess, Sweet Jamaica, The Artist!, Yab Yum, Blackgirl, Take a "LOVE" test, Sundie Morning Sistas, Covenant Blessing Fellowship, and many more!

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VIEW MY FIRST GUESTBOOK!