I had the opportunity to work in Harlem in the early Seventies and then again in the early Eighties putting in a 4 year stretch during each decade. Recently, a word association came to me and reminded me of Copeland’s restaurant on 145 th Street off Broadway in Harlem.  Considered the Heart and Soul of Harlem dining, the restaurant served up soul food with a New Orleans flavor for 50 years.  Like all great eating places, it had a diverse array of characteristics that included popular signature dishes, welcoming ambiance, high end catering, and a great community feel that spurned a boatload of regular and dedicated customers. Deborah Copeland (photo provided) So what is the word association, my thought connection?  In aaduna's coming spring 2016 issue, we will publish poetry by Deborah Copeland who brings a diverse array of creative talent that has started to nurture a committed fan base.  Deborah is achieving literary status because her poetry, plays, e...

Rakhshan Rizwan is a celebrated poet currently living in The Netherlands where she is a PhD candidate.  Her poems weave thoughtful human emotions that are enchantingly recognizable, accessible, and endearing.  She was born in Lahore, Pakistan and continues the tradition of thoughtful and relevant voices coming from that section of the globe.  Rakhshan 's work belongs in aaduna .   Before the end of the month, you will be able to read “Lahore,” “Hair,”and “Father Tongue.”  Here is a brief excerpt from “Hair:” Hair Hair is erasing hair, on our skin, our arms, our feet, even our toes, or growing in wholesome bunches, in our ears;  the occasional rogue hair that keeps protruding from our noses, hair is picking at the fuzz on our upper lips, Hair is subduing hair, which bridge the gap between our brows;  Want more?  Of course you do since Ms. Rizwan will take you to places that may have settled in the recesses, nook...

Tamara J. Madison (photo provided) In 2011, several poets, writers and artists took a leap of faith and entrusted their work to a newly formed, exclusively online literary and visual arts journal simply called “ aaduna .” One such premier issue poet was Tamara J. Madison . At that time, Ms. Madison who was living in New Jersey and teaching at local colleges, had created “Kentucky Curdled" a poetic sequence based on a true family story of tragedy and death that took place in a small, black, rural community in Kentucky during the early 1900's.  aaduna was the first to publish five sequences of “Curdled.” For the spring 2016 anniversary issue, Tamara, who currently lives in Orlando, Florida where she teaches at Valencia College and Stetson University, returns to aaduna with poems from her work, “Breast Poems,” a collection that was one of four short-listed works in the 2015 Willow Books Literature Award for Poetry. Here is an excerpt: “ Declaration to Seths” ...

On Friday evening, May 13th at the Springside Inn, adjacent to Owasco Lake in Fleming, New York, aaduna's publisher, bill berry, jr. hosted the 49th Annual Auburn/Cayuga County NAACP's Freedom Fund Banquet.  This affair honored community leaders in education, business, religion, and youth leadership; provided college assistance stipends to deserving high school seniors and presented Promise Awards to outstanding middle school students of color.   William E Berry Jr , publisher/CEO Aaduna Inc ~ Master of Cermonies Serving as Master of Ceremonies, bill combined contemporary social commentary interspersed with comedic quips and intriguing anecdotes that engaged the diverse, multicultural, and inter-generational audience while providing an appropriate backdrop to the sit down dinner, governmental proclamations, guest speaker address, and award presentations.   Joseph Holland, Keynote Speaker, Auburn/Cayuga NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet Guest spea...

D id that insect bother you as it flickered around a light bulb?   S cared your children as it flitted overhead as they slept peacefully?   Moco McCaulay (Photo Provided) W ell, embrace this simple fact.... Moco McCaulay's tale is a "fiction" piece titled, "The Carbonaria Kingdom."   I am reminded of the purpose and intent of "Gulliver's Travels." Maybe, I am just projecting... trying to create a memory from my distant past.  And yet, Moco's tale is contemporary and pertinent as was the Gulliver of long ago.  A different time, a different world...you decide.  Anyway,...  take some time...read McCaulay's synopsis of his work.  The entire fiction story will appear in the spring 2016 issue of aaduna coming later this month...mid-late May.  Set your digital alerts.   aaduna delivers and always challenges your sense of what the world should be...maybe, maybe not.   You decide.     A ...

Peter Nakhid, Photographer, New Orleans, LA   There are certain world-class cities that intrigue and captivate people’s spirit around the globe.  New Orleans is one of those places.  Recently, at least in the United States, cable station, axs.tv presented excerpts from the 2016 New Orleans Jazz Fest, which once again highlighted the vibrancy and vitality of residents and visitors.  New Orleans is a magical place that values culture, people, and possess a determination to challenge, move past, and find solutions to its often uncontrollable dilemmas.  Peter Nakhid, Photographer (photo provided) Peter Nakhid captures that vibrancy, poignancy, and spirit of New Orleans in his photographs and videos.  Returning to aaduna for his follow-up exhibition, we welcome the Griot of New Orleans as he presents another series of images that will lodge in your memory.      Peter's work will be featured in aaduna's Penalver...

Dan Leach (photo provided) With a cascade of words, verses that protend action and challenge, and crisp to the point imagery, his compelling voice captivates the poetic mind. A resident of Kearney [considered the heart of Nebraska,] population under 31,000, Dan Leach has a subtle way with positioning the nuances of his poetry.  aaduna’s poetry editor, Tim Ogene stated, I…was…drawn to Leach's submission. He stays away from over used allusions, and has a rather strong control of how his lines rise and fall. The poems themselves start, turn, and finish with the same intensity, without awkward delays anywhere. And he never abandons the subject(s) within each poem. I'd include his entire submission in the next issue. Well, the rest of the story is interesting. While we lost two of Dan’s poems to another publication (that serves as a testament to his skill set,) aaduna will present “The Distance,” “Waiting,” and “Nothing Like the Elevators” in the forth...