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 with Perseverance! I am a Champion in Christ and a Creative Writer who believes in having Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) in life! 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 and a Professional Teaching Credential. I spend most of my time when I'm not working on my writing positively changing the lives of my students as a high school teacher, because a high school teacher helped change my life for the better. I'm inspired daily by the greatest teacher who ever lived Jesus Christ! I walk by faith, and not by sight, because we have come This Far By Faith! If you need Inspiration then please visit The Bible Experience!

I write poetry, fiction, plays, inspirational nonfiction, etc., you'll be hearing about me one day soon. Until then you can sample a few of MY POEMS! I plan to be even greater than my literary mentors who are Langston Hughes, my main literary role model (the Big Sea had a great influence on our lives), Maya Angelou, my inspiration, James Weldon Johnson, a great man who composed a brilliant career, Sonia Sanchez, she reminds me most of my poetic-self, Alice Walker, is a kindred writer unto me, Nikki Giovanni, a true poetic soul , Pulitzer winner 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, August Wilson, a masterful playwright with powerful words, 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 opened a world of Science Fiction to me! 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)! Let's give honor to Negro Spirituals that started it all! Serene Karen Clark-Sheard from The Clark Sisters is one of the closest things to hearing an angel sing and my favorite soloist! Faithful Kirk Franklin is a hero to gospel music! The Benjamin Gate are my favorites in Christian Rock! Gospel ingénue Kierra Kiki Sheard is continuing the family legacy! 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! Dynamic Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity (listen) a young minister and choir that takes gospel to a new level. Truly outstanding are three lovely sisters called Out of Eden, one of my most favorites for the past fifteen years! Jenaé Paden is so in love with Jesus! Shei Atkins has a message for women who seek the Lord! V3, three lovely sisters who spread the message of love! 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! Beautiful Michelle Bonilla is a breath of fresh air for the Cross Movement! Da' T.R.U.T.H. will set ya free! Grammy nominated & Gifted GRITS is one of the best Gospel Rap groups on Earth! Knowledgeable Knowdaverbs is now more versitile and known as VERBS, simply one of Gospel Rap's best. Group 1 Crew is musically diverse, lyrically relevant, and culturally engaged for Christ! Shekinah Glory magnifies the Lord with utmost praise! Joyful Joann Rosario is a vessel of praise! L'essentiel Liz McComb brings powerful FIRE to gospel music! Her new album Soul, Peace, & Love is truly soul stirring! Kinetic Debra Killings will make you want to Surrender to God! Cool Tonéx is truly Out the Box in gospel music! Lovely Lisa McClendon brings Neo-Soul to Gospel music in a powerful & spiritual way! Spiritually smooth Smokie Norful (listen & video) truly has something to say! Rising Rebecca Eaglin sings with an anointing from God! Caribbean Christian Chevelle Franklyn sings only for the Lord now! Angelic Ahnjel is a Faithful young woman of God! American Idol Ruben Studdard created a gospel album to bless your soul! Glorious Generation J are justified through Christ while giving God the glory! RIZEN will set the mood for the Holy Spirit to reign in your soul! Urban Soul's Raymond & CO are deservingly the U.K.'s leading gospel group! Righteous Renee Spearman and Prez featuring Prosperity (listen & video), "celebrate" the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Soldiers on Soul Patrol Choir are saving the lost at any cost! Destiny's Michelle Williams (official fansite) sings her heart unto the Lord in a beautiful way! Dynamic Dorinda Clark-Cole (listen), is the anointed evangelist of The Clark Sisters! Divine DeLeon Richards, one of my first gospel music loves! Gospel Grammy winner Eartha Moore is simply etherealwith her albums This I Know & Sidebars! The divine music of Tarralyn Ramsey will touch the soul! Speech (Arrested Development) is a founder of spiritual hip hop! Soulful siren CeCe Winans (listen) is an instrument of God's praise! Jazzy Jonathan Butler is a true worshiper of the Lord! Lovely Lizz Wright, is truly a breath of fresh air! Bueno de Corazón Lilly Goodman touches the heart with her inspiring message. 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! Holy Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir (listen) are an all-time favorite. The Queen of Gospel music Mahalia Jackson (listen) is truly the greatest gospel singer ever! Pastor Shirley Caesar (listen) is one of the greatest gospel singers of all-time! Praise-worthy Youthful Praise is an awesome choir who sings about our Awesome God! Marvelous Mary Mary (listen) 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. Stronger than ever Grammy winning Yolanda Adams is an instrument of God's praise! Marvelous Nicole C. Mullen sings about why our REDEEMER lives! John P. Kee & New Life (listen) has a life-changing ministry! Jaci Velasquez (listen), is a blessing to Christian music! Powerful P.O.D. rocks hard for the Rock of Salvation! Talented Traci Thomas is a woman who will help you renew your mind. Crystal Lewis (listen) has one of the most soulful voices in Christian music! Talented Tim "Bishop" Brown & Miracle Mass Choir (listen), represents the West Coast in gospel! 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! Peep out some cool Gospel Rap & Hip Hop at Rapzilla, Christian Hip Hop worldwide! For some British flava check out U.K. Gospel! 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 Connectionk! Meet fellow lovers of God and gospel music at Gospel Pals!

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! "The Boondocks" is a show that makes you laugh & think! Everyone should experience the beauty of Yosemite National Park, because it's truly one of the most wonderful places on earth! Visit Shadow Soldier, which gives the history of the Buffalo Soldiers at Yosemite! I loved the musical "The Lion King", it's truly an amazing experience! I love the novel, film and musical of "The Color Purple"! My favorite in dance is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, an essence of rhythm & grace! I love running whether if it's track and field or "Running at the Beach"! I also love reading, writing, and cooking (I can cook anything), some of my favorite gourmet dishes to prepare are Caribbean cuisine, Creole and Cajun foods, and African recipes; 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! Find anything online at Google and buy anything online at Amazon.com! I pray this "Day of Infamy" will encourage more people to Seek God! If you need to experience a word from God in real time through some powerful ministries then for a blessing please visit Streaming Faith!

My Movies

I love movies! I truly loved "The Passion of The Christ", expresses the glory of the death and life of the greatest Man who ever lived! Some of my favorite films are "Eve's Bayou", a masterpiece and one of my all-time favorite films, "The Great Debaters", with the power of speech "we shall not be moved", "Akeelah and the Bee", simply spellbinding, brilliant "Rocket Science" speak your mind & let your voice be heard!, "This Christmas", truly special filled with joy & love, "Dream Girls", a musical masterpiece, Maya Angelou's "Down In The Delta", truly magnificent & moving, the classic "Hallelujah", truly a glorious monument in film history, "The Gospel", the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ!, "The Gospel of John", word for word expression of the powerful gospel of John, "One Night With The King", a story of Queen Esther's faithful love, "Amazing Grace", was blind, but now I see, 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, visionary "Dreamkeeper" a cornucopia of Native American culture, "Apocalypto", the dawn of a new day, "Monster's Ball", powerful complexity & great depth, soulful "Nothing But A Man", truly one of the best Black love stories of all-time, wonderful "Wattstax", truly a classic concert film featuring the soul-changing "Peace Be Still" by The Emotions, deft "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", a lyrical masterpiece of visual beauty, "House of Flying Daggers", a lyrical love story, "Batman Begins", face your fears, "RAY", extraordinary & inspiring! "CRASH", when cultures collide, Toni Morrison's "BELOVED", truly uplifting and beyond words, "SLAM", lyrical expression of poetics to the fullest featuring Saul Williams, a prolific poet ("Sha-Clack-Clack") & soulful Sonja Sohn ("Run Free") poetess, "LOVE JONES",(soundtrack) lyrically speaks poetry to the soul, "Hustle & Flow", everyone has a dream, "Black Snake Moan", redemption & unconditional love, "Finding Forrester", the power of words!, historic "Glory Road", breaking down barriers, "Half Nelson", a bond between teacher and student, "Into The Wild", a journey of the soul, "Juno", an intelligent comedy about the changes in adolescent life, "Blood Diamond", the trajedy of greed, "Coach Carter", triumphant inspiration, "Antwone Fisher", faith & forgiveness, "Our Song", a beautiful ballad of hope, "RIZE", reaching new heights, "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, "Pride & Prejudice", simply exquisite, "Romeo and Juliet", a literary classic filled with poetry, "Daughters of the Dust", sacred beauty from the earth, mystical "The Matrix", mind over matter, "Spider-Man 2", simply amazing, "The Lord of the Rings", fantasy-filled journey, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", a glorious adventure for good, "Bridge to Terabithia", keep your mind wide open, "George Washington", the summer of youth, inspiring "Something The Lord Made", touches the heart, "Bowling For Columbine", truth sets us free, "Collateral", an intriguing thriller, "Quincea�era", a coming of age story, "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 & sacrifice, enchanting "Whale Rider", simply a wonderful film, "Million Dollar Baby", a winner of emotions and heart, "City of God", a blazin' Brazilian film, heart rendering, "The Notebook", true love never dies, "Tears of the Sun", tragedy into triumph, "The New World", a world of discovery, "Smoke Signals", a mission of self-discovery, spellbinding "Spirited Away", a spiritual adventure, "Signs", faith over fear, "Fear of a Black Hat", a truly hilarious classic, "Never Die Alone", the complexity of karma, "American History X", erase racism, "Roll Bounce", rolling with rhythm, "8 Mile", electrifying, "The Fighting Temptations", gospel music galore, "The Hurricane", trials of triumph, "Men of Honor", most honorable, "Minority Report", breaking majority rules, "Bamboozled", mystifying & revealing, "SE7EN", the wages of sin, "28 Days Later", a pure thriller, "The Sixth Sense", a haunting and enlightening film, "Shakespeare In Love", mesmerizing, "Hav Plenty", truly reminded me of myself once upon a time, "GATTACA", a science fiction treasure, "Amélie", amorous delight, "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, beautiful Dorothy Dandridge's (links) "Carmen Jones" (trailers) & "Porgy and Bess" another Dandridge classic about love, "Baby Boy", when boys become men bodaciously, "Ghost World", a way cool movie, "Pumpkin", brilliantly bold satire, "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 faith & trust, "Saint Ralph", believe in miracles, "Do The Right Thing", Fight the Power!, uplifting "Get On The Bus", united we stand!, "The Learning Tree", a sentimental awakening, "A Soldier's Story", powerful, "Imitation Of Life", to thyself be true, "Possession", literarily provocative, "The Preacher's Wife", full of joyful cheer, "Sounder", family faith, "The Last Dragon", a childhood classic, "Princess Mononoke", full of enchantment, "Metropolis", simply marvelous, "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, "The Green Mile", miraculous, "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" (Il Postino), joys of poetry & love, "Besieged", love or loyalty?, "Amistad", liberty, "Good Will Hunting", always believe in yourself, "Cast Away", the journey of life, "Forrest Gump", great gumption, "Unbreakable", enduring, "Just Another Girl On The I.R.T.", sista with life, "The Five Heartbeats", soulful, "Superfly", super cool!, "Great Expectations", mesmerizing, "Angel Heart", spellbinding, "The Journey of August King", sacrifice, "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 and laughter, "The Exorcist", the scariest movie ever, and a few more including the films of John Singleton, a fellow USC grad! 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! For a deeper more profound meaning check out Hollywood Jesus!

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! Powerful James Earl Jones (bio), has given me so much inspiration to let my voice be heard! Dreamer Derek Luke (bio), truly a dynamic actor! Mighty Mos Def (bio), a lyrical performer & actor! Jurnee Smollett (bio) is my favorite young actress, she is Eve of "Eve's Bayou"! Angela Bassett, I think she's beautiful, intelligent, and a very talented actress! Celestial Cee Cee Michaela (bio) 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"! 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! Thespian Laurence Fishburne (bio) is a fine actor! Beautiful Naomie Harris is such an intriguing actress! Wonderful Kerry Washington [(bio) & (interview)] is a sensational scene stealer! Magnificent Morgan Freeman is truly a great actor! Lovely Sanaa Lathan is a work of art! 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! Talented Kimberly Elise (bio) is truly a multifaceted actress. Kellie Shanygne Williams (bio), I watched her grow up! Tobey Maguire (bio), is terrific! Vivacious Valarie Rae Miller is a creative cutie! Lovely Aunjanue Ellis (bio) is an awesome actress! Smooth Samuel L. Jackson 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"! Skillful Wesley Snipes (bio), is as smooth as can be! Outstanding Omar Epps (bio)is a multi-talented actor! Awesome Adrien Brody (bio), is a brilliant actor! David Duchovny who makes you believe! Marvelous Minnie Driver (bio), always wins my admiration! Cool George Clooney (bio), a chameleon-like actor! Tom Hanks is truly talented! Cool Cuba Gooding Jr. (bio), an outstanding actor! Lovely Nia Long (bio), she's in all my favorite films! Ethan Hawke is an excellent actor! I really admire Kasi Lemmons (bio), 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, my Lord, Savior & Redeemer! Everyone should know "Who is Jesus?" Blessed Belteshazzar (the 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. The great Langston Hughes is the definition of a writer! Dr. Maya Angelou is truly magnificent! James Weldon Johnson taught us to "Lift Every Voice and Sing"! 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. Faithful Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, a true champion for Christ! The Reverend Jackie McCullough is an anointed woman of God. Joel Osteen is a man on a mission for 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. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (video) taught me about chivalry! 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. Chariot of Fire's Eric Liddell, a Christian runner who truly ran the race! Wilma Rudolph encouraged me to achieve by overcoming her obstacles in life. Sonia Sanchez, we share the same poetic essence! I will achieve greatness as a writer, runner, teacher 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! One of the largest Ancient Egyptian photo galleries & historical resources of the Black Man is at: Return to Glory! I'm thankful and proud to be Black & Christian!

My Favorite Links

Streaming Faith!

This Far By Faith!

Negro Spirituals!

Christian Answers!

The First Christians!

Directory of Heroes!

Praize (Christian Search)!

Philosophy of Religion!

Wikipedia (Free Encyclopedia)!

Black Native American!

African-Native Americans!

Black America Web!

Return to Glory!

Poets & Writers!

African American Literature!

IAAF (track & field)!

USATF (track & field)!

Track Shark (College T&F)!

"The Boondocks"!

"Lincoln Heights"!

Rapzilla (Christian Hip Hop)!

Nuthin But Gospel!

The GospelZone!

Kay 3 Music (Gospel)!

Shadow Soldier!

Babel Fish Translation!

Free Translations!

World Timezones!

Midnight Ramble!

Athletics Heroes!

Track Athletes!

Women Writers of Color!

Native American Authors!

"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, "The Lion King" Musical, Cool Runnings, Nike Running, Runner's World magazine, Track & Field Links, "Lincoln Heights", "The Boondocks", "The Wire", "The Simpsons", "24" television show, Women of Color Women of Word, EURweb, Inspiration 52, Vibe Magazine, Billboard Magazine, Liquid Soul Radio, Colored Reflections, The Running Network, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Goapele, BMW USA, Blacknet (U.K.), Sundie Morning Sistas, Covenant Blessing Fellowship, and many more!

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