Entertainment Bio::
by Vicki Acquah
How we grew up in CLEVELAND / All the stars came to Cleveland back then @ 15 years old I promoted and sponsored acts like BILLY STEWART I have worn so many hats that I barely can remember them all. "I DO LOVE YOU" ... was my favorite song. The place was packed and we all young (cootie crawlers) As they called us; Us “cootie crawlers”, enjoyed bumping and grinding to our favorite songs. How was this carried out; I must give credit to the local black radio station, WJMO Radio Station: Whom I started out writing ditties and singing promos for. The Local Disk Jockey’, Will Rudd and Ken Hawkins, Ken Hawkins, would introduce me to the Stars, and secured them for the shows: Ken, saw my ability to draw crowds, and he was the person who contacted our favorite “stars” to do the stage shows or dances for our affairs. During these times, we young teens needed something to enjoy of our own. Glenville neighborhood was a fun and cultural place to grow up in, and gave me a wide range of Avenues in life in which I could travel down. Once we became 18 and could hang out at the famous "Leo's Casino" and, we were happy to now get into the adult clubs, and I no longer felt I needed to promote or give teen dances. Seems, I got a good lesson working in the entertainment field at an early age. And it is these skills that I took with me when I got to Atlanta: Hunter street, and Paschal Brothers, a Jazz dinner club, and hotel, was my new spot – A Spot where I worked photographing famous jazz musicians as well as the patrons. It was also in Atlanta where I met my "play brother “TONY RANKIN, Tony, introduced me to JAMAICAN culture, I was in love instantly. Being a poet, I was intrigued with this way of life, felt like I had lived there in another lifetime, and people knew me and treated me as a family: They would smile and say “Bob would Love you, you coming like him sister” ... Mutabaruka, Bob Marley, and Sister Carol, Rita Marley: From the food to the music, to the language. Nothing seemed foreign to me, it was as if Jamaica was in my blood naturally, it was my Africa ...and I was very much at home there. After being away from home (Cleveland) for years), and Upon returning to my hometown; I discovered Jamaicans were already building a culture there, and I could now enjoy the food music and dance, right in the familiarity of my own environment. I reflected how LEO'S CASINO attracted all "my people" as Frank Leo, became rich and famous by just providing us with our own “Rhythm n Blues” stage shows. While away from home and before I was “turned out” {chuckle} I was also working in the entertainment field; As an entertainment writer for the ATLANTA VOICE NEWS / Called the “RAH RAH GIRL” an entertainment newspaper. The Biggest stars I've ever interviewed in Rhythm n Blues and Jazz and Soul; We're “EARTH WIND AND FIRE” – “PEABO BRYSON”,” LOLITA HOLLOWAY”. - My most memorable moment was when I interviewed “SMOKEY ROBINSON”; Because I forgot to turn on the microphone, and had to repeat the whole interview a second time. During my career in Atlanta, as a free spirit. I also met and became best friends "DONALD" Who was the keyboard player for the famous group (BRICK), “BRICK”, whose recording "DISCO DAZZ" went platinum overnight and, Mayor MAYNARD JACKSON OF ATLANTA, dedicated an entire day to this phenomenal group called and called it “BRICK DAY", the sound of brick has never been duplicated; and “the uncut version” is still my favorite song of all times. I still think of “DONALD” and often wonder “what if” ... Back in Cleveland Again: Like I said earlier after I moved back to my hometown, Myself, and the rest of Cleveland, was hungry for more reggae music; So, I started promoting local reggae such as “JAH MESSENGERS and RAS MATUNJI'S band in CLEVELAND. At this point, I had exposed my friends and neighbors to this exciting music which appealed to our Afrocentrism’s, as well as to our rhythm and blues nature. One of the most exciting and down to earth reggae groups that I have sponsored, and promoted was (THE TWINKLE BROTHERS), Who came in from ENGLAND to Cleveland, and did my first big reggae show. Their hit song "SINCE I THREW THE COMB AWAY": Inspired many to lock their hair and was the beginning of the natural hair revolution, ultimately this became a way of life for me and for many of my friends and associates. Back to the beginning: Long before I left Cleveland: I also had been filled with a love for music and entertainment, from my old Flame Alphonso “Standing on Shaky Ground Boyd”; Who was/is also a writer, entertainer, and musician in his own right, Al Boyd, still does stage shows and sings, and entertains presently. My life has many more mentors not mentioned here – This bio was basically touching on my love for poetry, music. Dance, art, and entertainment, which has shaped and molded my life. I will close by acknowledging “my first hands-on mentor”- “Poet/ Author Norman Jordan” (1960’s), Also “Poet / Musician” Professor Mwatabu Okantah of Kent State University who is the first Poet to have me perform during his radio show “Wind Words” broadcasted from Cleveland State University (the 1970's) I Create jewelry to help keep us from in-taking so much radiation”: I am finishing two books, While fighting depression from the Death of My only daughter. Meanwhile and am a constant weekly guest poet on Blog talk radio/”. I am Also a supporter of Mark Goggin’s and the Black Poetry Café. Other blog talk radio shows I frequent would include, One Positive Way-Wolf Hours- and Epiphany radio. The SPEAKEASY CAFE – Also,” I never miss THE PLUS EFFECT” with Ashley and Monique; on (FEVER FRIDAYS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty Marks:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
By CANDACE MUMFORD
A modern-day griot and a living legend. Anyone who knows Vicki Acquah also affectionately known as Mama Oladeji knows that is a fitting description to the woman we've all come to know and love. Though it's only the tip of a very large iceberg when it comes to describing this multi-talented, multifaceted artist. Vicki Acquah is a Poets/ Artist who encourages everyone she encounters to strive to be the best they can be. Pushing you to push yourself. Encouraging others to bring their very best. In the five years, I've had the pleasure of knowing her, while already being a master at her craft, I've watched her challenge herself. Learning various types of poetry. I've watched her at times being her own worst critique, creating an online group where she invited other Poets and aspiring Poets to share their work and seek to better themselves as burgeoning Poets.
The topics I've seen her work cover throughout the years is like watching a poetic newscast. Women's rights, love, heartbreaks, social commentary in the United States and abroad. Reading this Poets work is like CNN for the poetic soul. Evoking a deeper level of thought to the reader with every word read. It's with great pleasure and anticipation that I look forward to the world coming to know this great artist and human being. I don't say those words lightly. I state it because it's a fact. In this day and time, it's hard to find people that truly support your endeavors. Myself and many others can attest to the dedication Vicki Acquah, to her family and friends whether it's participating in groups, calling in with a dedication to the many online shows and being an active and willing participant not just standing on the sidelines. To the many community activism projects, she's either started or stood behind. The reader of this creative compilation of words will be left with a myriad of thoughts of emotions after reading each piece. They'll be left asking themselves such questions as “Did I love enough?” “Have I contributed enough to make this world a better place?” and “How can I do more?”