Consciousness Magazine

Dr. Maya Angelou, A Phenomenal Woman Interviewed and written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner On the morning of our interview, the incomparable Dr. Maya Angelou is busily working in her garden prior to our interview. She discusses her various leading African-American art sculptures, knock- out roses, and azaleas that people stop to photograph. Shanessa Fenner: I am enjoying your book, Mom & Me & Mom , and I laughed at the part when you and Babe had sex and you asked him, “Is this all that it is?” Maya Angelou: I had been raped when I was 7 years old. My hope was all these things that I had seen happen in the movies where people sigh and melt was going to happen. That was what it really was about. Well nothing happened. It was painful a little but it didn’t thrill. He was a jerk. He was 20 and I was 16. He did not know how to do any foreplay or encourage his mate to enjoy herself. What he wanted was relief not joy. I had to grow older to understand that. SF:

Tallis Piaget on Changing the Face of the Inner City Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson - Editor Creative writing has always been a passion for the gifted and talented writer Tallis Piaget. Not wanting to travel down a path of destruction at a younger age, Piaget picked up   a pen   and turned his anger into a positive, in hopes of making a difference in other people’s lives. Today, Piaget is the executive editor of the Insight2Incite Magazine, as well as co-host of the Insight Radio Show. I was granted the opportunity to have a conversation with Tallis Piaget as he shares some of his views on the inner-city epidemics and briefly discusses his new book “Black Boogiemen” that is making history. “You know what, that [making a difference] has always been in me. I’m a relater. I tend to empathize with people very easily. I always wanted to help people. I strive to be a great and righteous person,” expresses the newly author from St. Louis, Missouri as he speaks about the poin

John Oates “Good Road To Follow” Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson - Editor For over 4 decades singer, writer and musician John Oates has entertained the world with amazing and wonderful music; whether solo or with rock and soul duo (Hall and Oates). Within the last several years John Oates has released albums such as 1000 Miles of Life, Mississippi Mile and The Bluesville Session, just to name a few. John Oats continues to make history while leading in the industry as a trendsetter, creating and releasing good music with his yearlong musical project Good Road To Follow where he will release a single-a-month. Oates wrote or co-wrote all of the songs off the PS Records/Elektra Records project. Almost every song is done with a different producer. I had the opportunity to speak to the legend as he shared some insight about his uniquely and exciting project. “This world has accelerated and people attention spans are in competition with all the things that are out there i

Super Model Royce Barrera Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson - Editor Born and raised in Harlem, New York City, rising supermodel Royce Barrera is soon to be the next face of the modeling industry as he outworks his counterparts in a competitive field. Royce has participated in many leading fashion and art events such as Fashion Africana by Mario Epanya, coordinated by Darnell McLaurin, as well as appeared on many fashion televised shows. As good as it sounds, the model industry hasn’t always been peaches and cream for the Puerto Rican and Cuban descendant, who has been faced with past diversions. “I never wanted to be a model. My goal was to be a professional baseball player. I was actually a pretty good pitcher. But my career ended after I broke my arm,” exclaims Royce. When Royce overcame adversities in his life, a new door opened as he ventured into his days of modeling. “One day, this photographer by the name of Dorothy Sheek discovered me and said I got what it

Pastor Charles Jenkins “Strengthening and Empowering the Community” Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson - Editor Pastor Charles Jenkins has been senior pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Chicago, Illinois for more than ten years. As a man of God, he is definitely pursuing his calling as a religious leader and extraordinary role model. He has not only been making a difference in his Chicago community, but also with his music ministry nationwide, having an impact on many people’s lives. I had the opportunity to interview the Grammy Award-winning Pastor who shed light on many issues in the community as well as gave possible solutions to our everyday struggles and concerns. He speaks about his humble beginning. “I was raised in a house hold with my mother. I grew up around a mother who taught us how to be interested in the well-being of others and how to serve others. I really have to say, it has been the influence of my mother serving other people and helpin

Destined to be... The Greatest Leon Rogers interview with CM (Tocarra Eldridge, Hector De La Rosa & Aaron Robinson - Editor) When the microphone was invented, it was destined that comedian, radio personality and actor, Leon Rogers was meant to rise to a high level of success and leave his mark on society as a legend. The Chicago Southside native has always had a passion for comedy, which is his first love. He not only partakes in his community with his endeavors, but also supports charities and causes for the betterment of the community. As one of the hottest comedians in Chicago, Leon has toured nationwide doing his stand-up comedy, appearing on various shows, such as Bet’s Comic View. You can tune in to the #1 radio station in Chicago, 107.5 WGCI and catch him weekdays on “The Morning Riot” show with Tony Sculfield and Nina Chantel. You can also see his live performances at Jokes & Notes Comedy Club located on the Southside of Chicago. Balancing life as a husband

Melba Moore: Unraveling Crucial Circumstances  Interviewed and written by Elder Lee M Harris, Sr For many years I’ve asked the question, “What happened to someone that seemed to have everything going for themselves in this world of fame?” What I’ve come to realize over the years is that every one of us are only human beings. Things happen in our lives that can either push us forward or break us in half and leave us where we stand. Inspiration is a word that can sometimes become confused with a temporary fix, but not in the case of a very inspiring lady that absorbed the hurts and pains the world had to offer her and still remained standing flatfooted as I speak. When our  careers and lives seem to be on their last leg and we allow God to step in and carry us the rest of the way, we see the results. As I walked around my home a week ago, I could hear Melba Moore’s voice ringing in my head singing, “There’s No Other Like You.” This was the song that marked Melba’s greatness ma

PJ Morton  'Musical Genius' Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson - Editor “I think it’s the growth of it. I think my production and writing has grown. I had like three years of down time. I just spent 3 years working on my craft,” says PJ Morton during a recent interview with Consciousness Magazine. He voices what  he believe sets his full-length album ‘New Orleans’ apart from any other project he’d worked on during his career. The Maroon 5 keyboardist/ backing vocalist recently releases his new album with Young Money Entertainment/Cash Money Records which has a roster of platinum recording artist such as Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj, just to name a few. Over the course of Morton’s career, as an immaculate songwriter/producer, he has become a demand in the industry for his talent and skills. With respect, the New Orleans native has successfully created a name for himself outside of being the son of gospel singer Paul S. Morton. The talented artist elaborates