Anthony Beedles is a Spoken word artist from Stone Mountain, GA who has found himself trapped between his artistry and his corporate career. He has been scribing and sharing inspirational poetry for over a decade. Beedles is known for his edgy social political works but from time to time he peels back a few layers to reveal his heart wrapped around his sleeve. He is the CEO and Founder of the non-profit organization R.E.S.T.O.R.E Georgia. More information can be found by browsing www.RestoreGeorgia.org. Email: iserve@restoregeorgia.org 
Sandra Bradley resides in Norfolk, Virginia with her husband, children and three grandchildren. She is the owner of BasketsBySandra.com, and creates gift baskets for any and every occasion. Sandra presently is in seminary working on her Masters in Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling. 
Larry Brayboy - An avid reader and golfer, Dr. Brayboy is happiest when he is studying and sharing the Word of God. His passions are evangelism, outreach-missions, and teaching. After serving Manna Missionary Baptist for twenty years as the founder and senior pastor in 2005 Dr. Brayboy joined the staff of Full Gospel Kingdom Church, 
Steven C. Briggs - Licensed to preach the gospel in June 1986, Steven was ordained as pastor of New Life Rhema Christian Center United Holy Church of America, Inc. in July 2006. While serving in the Virginia District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc., Elder Briggs was appointed by the Presiding Prelate of the Virginia District Convocation, the honorable Bishop Hildred L. Perry, Sr. to the position of Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. His responsibility was to organize and make recommendations for innovative ways to generate revenue for projects of expansion within the district. He was also appointed as a committee member to the Budget Finance Committee of the district. His duties were to provide insight information in order to regulate budgetary and financial matters. Elder Briggs is the founder of New Life Rhema Christian Center which was incorporated in February 2009.
Karen M. Bryson was born in Jersey City, NJ, and currently resides in Delaware. You Won’t Be Able to Resist Me, I Am Addictive Like Chocolate is the title piece included in Karen’s first full poetry collection. Karen’s achievements include being a published poet with several poems contained in the “Contemporary Poets of America Anthology” (1983 Ed.).She is featured in “The Colors of Life” (2003 Ed.), “On The Wings Of Poetry” (2004 Ed.), “Who’s Who In Poetry” (2004 Ed.), “Best Poets and Poems of 2003 and 2004”, two separate volumes of “Invoking The Muse” (2004 Ed.), “Twilight Musings” (2005 Ed.), three “Outstanding Achievement In Poetry Silver Bowls” and, featured on the “The Sound Of Poetry” a three-album CD set. E-Mail: poetrydiva3@verizon.net
Terri D is a long-term transplant resident of Harrisburg, PA. She is a single mother of three who has written poetry and short stories all of her life. Her children have always been her inspiration to push to get to the next level. She writes as a way to express herself and to document her inner most feelings. Terri D published her debut novel titled Yesterday’s Lies in 2011.
Samuel L. Hair
Samuel was born in Indianola Mississippi, but raised in Compton CA. Unexpectedly, Samuel discovered his writing talent in the third grade one day while sitting in class visualizing charters making conversation and gestures while doing various things. Samuel immediately set aside his class-work and begin putting his visions into words. Afterwards, while class was still in session, Samuel approached his teacher and handed her what he'd written. His teacher was so amazed by Samuel's creativity that she turned it into the principal. The principal was bewildered but at the same time, proud to have a third grade student of his school write something so attention grabbing and word it so perfectly. The principal had his secretary run off over 500 copies of Samuel's short story, then proudly distributed the copies to students as well as staff members.
Samuel enjoys making the big bucks driving big rigs cross-country while dispatching 25 other company drivers. He plans to soon retire from truck driving and become a social worker. That will give him more opportunity to write more books and spend more time at home. Samuel is currently working on his second book, entitled Marriage Nightmare, due out in Winter 2007.
George Kevin Jordan is a journalist/author and editor with more than 15-years professional experience. After earning his writing chops working at the Milwaukee Journal – Sentinel, Mr. Jordan worked for several different publications including, One Atlanta, Shepherd Express, The Sunday Paper in Atlanta, and Bleu Magazine, where he served as Editor in Chief and Executive Editorial Director. His debut novel, "That Moment When" and his follow up "Hopeless," were released worldwide through Urban Soul/Kensington Publishing. He has served as a project manager for MEGA Management, Inc., and was the Executive Producer for the Metropolitan College of New York's Inaugural Short Film Festival in April of 2010. Mr. Jordan received his MBA in Media Management from the Metropolitan College of New York in August of 2010. He has been working on his third novel “Martin Mills Loves Musical Theater,” and penning songs for an upcoming untitled music project.
Tony Lewis is a native of Jamaica, New York and presently resides in the state of Delaware. Enthusiastic about the creative process of writing, Tony began writing poetry and short stories in 1983. He has presented his work in Open Mic” forums, contests and publications. monstruo3@yahoo.com
Mikasenoja - Nominated for Cush City's National Best New Author Award 2006, Kimberley Yancy,writing under the pen name of Mikasenoja,(pronounced: My-ka-sen-no-jay) Christian fiction’s groundbreaking new author, originally hails from Austin, TX and was reared in Galveston County and Clear Lake,Texas. Mikasenoja’s literary career spans over 15 years, writing such plays as “Holy Ghost Takeover,” “Running Back to You,” “He’s Coming Back Again!” and inspiring columns for Christian magazines across the country.Mikasenoja possesses a compassionate heart of ministry for clergy wives and women church leaders.
J.L. Nash was born in Stockton-on Tees, England in 1969. She had a transient childhood, moving between England and Africa, and as an adult, spent time living on an island in the Pacific Ocean. She holds a B.Ed (hons), M.Ed and after becoming tired of being a teacher, retrained to become a Master Hypnotist and a Master Practitioner and Trainer in Neuro Linguistic Programming. She writes short stories, flash fiction and poetry which often reflect this sense of travel, displacement and a lack of roots. Her work has been found in different magazines, a selection of Literary Journals and most recently was attached to the exhibition LINGERING WHISPERS (www.lingering-whispers.com).Her poems are often presented as art and past work has also been included in the exhibition and book PARANOID. Her work can be found on the internet, usually in offbeat e-zines like Zygote in my Coffee. She performed at a few public readings in 2005 and is preparing work for more international exhibitions both collaboratively and as a solo creative. She is currently one of the staff writers for the International ARTS magazine The Pandorian for which she not only works as a sub-editor but has her own page called Moment. She is now based in Australia where she lives exceptionally happy to be married.www.jlnash.org
Recha G. Peay - In 1996, The Mystery of a Woman was born and manifested as a small collection of poetry. To no avail, and many rejection letters later they were never published. Recha didn’t stop there and asked herself what would make her poetry unique. During a moment of meditation the answer was clear, a novel. In 2003, the unfortunate news of a job closing inspired Recha to 'think outside of the box.' So she did just that. With the encouragement and support of a loving husband and two children she unpacked her storage box and breathed new life into her project.
Recha wants all of her readers to know with God’s divine guidance dreams do come true. So remember the three P’s prayer, persistence and patience.
Titus Pollard comes to the Urban Christian imprint with the debut novel, Living Right on Wrong Street. He is also a critically acclaimed Jazz & Gospel musician, educator, playwright, and actor. In addition to his writing, his most recent projects include his role as Rev. Cole in the film A Black Woman’s Guide to Getting Married, and the Gospel music CD Conversation with a Psalmist. He is probably best known for his world-renowned video instruction series Learn to Play Gospel Piano.Titus received his college education from
Jamaal Ali Richardson was born December 29, 1983 in Englewood, NJ and later raised in the urban streets of Passaic, NJ. As a child Jamaal always had a love for the arts taking up painting and tap dancing at the age of 6. Growing up in the late 80’s and early 90’s offered Richardson the opportunity to experience Hip Hop at its purest form. The music he listened to everyday motivated him to one day be a rapper like the many artists he idolized. In the seventh grade, Jamaal entered a creative writing course that encouraged him to express himself through poetry. Writing quickly became one of his loves, it gave him the opportunity to let his feelings out and express his frustration with issues such as stereotypes, racism, and heartbreak. Throughout his high school years, Jamaal performed and competed in poetry competitions often taking 1st place. In 2002 he was first published by The International Library of Poets for a poem he wrote called “My Eyes Told Me”. Many poems were published and printed in Poetry collections following “My Eyes Told Me”. In 2003, Jamaal competed in the International Poetry Slam in Norfolk, VA. With his first novel “Cupids Crossroads” the first installment of a 3 book saga, the long road traveled has proven itself to be a great character builder as we now look at a Grown Proven Poet ready to speak for the people. Richardson’s favorite poets are Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baracka, God Child, Queen Sheba, Makeda Holley, and Countee Cullen.
Cas Sigers a native of North Carolina, is a professional writer of nine years, and a highly, motivated business mogul. Cas started her career in the business of clothing design. Upon graduation from North Carolina State University, she worked as a children’s wear designer for Rumble Tumble Inc. After six years as a designer, she made her transition into the entertainment world, working as a costumer for film and stage.
In 2001, she was signed to a publishing house and released her first book. The novel, A Girl Named Lily, gained interest from several television literary agents for TV rights. Therefore, Cas acquired a Los Angeles agent and began writing specs scripts for various show runners. In 2005, Nina Holiday Entertainment was created, with business partner, actress, Terri J. Vaughn. The entertainment company was created with the purpose of developing feature film and television projects. In 2006, Nina Holiday produced and shot the feature film “Angels Can’t Help But Laugh”, a documentary on the lives of 25 black Hollywood actresses. In 2007, Nina Holiday and Three Chords LLC collaborated to produce the feature film Naked. As a writer, Sigers has also optioned several screenplays to various production and film houses. As a field producer, Sigers has worked on national shows, Welcome to Dreamland, Platinum House and Tiny & Toya. Sig ers is also supervising producer for a new music documentary series titled As Written, airing on Centric & BET and script coordinator for The Mo'Nique Show.
Currently an author with Kensington Press under the imprint Urban Books, her novels Pieces of a Man, Love is Simple, Forever is Tricky, The Virgin Widow, and At Last I Bloom and Three Chords & the Truth categorized under women’s fiction, are distributed throughout the world in national bookstore chains, Target and Wal-Mart. She is currently writing a science fiction novel entitled The Counsel and a series of faith based books entitled Saints & Sinners.
Kimberly R. Taylor is a talented and gifted author, musician, and minister. She has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from James Madison University and her Master’s of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity. She has over 15 years professional ministry experience. Her vocational career also illustrates her capacity to provide quality care, professionally she has worked as a counselor, probation officer, and program manager for a non –profit. In addition to preaching, Ms. Taylor has had the privilege to serve as a lecturer, seminar presenter, and conference host. In her spare time, Ms. Taylor lives for the extraordinary in the ordinary days with her godchildren, nieces and nephews. She simply adores life now because she actually got through her doozie. This is her premiere publication. Ms. Taylor resides in Metropolitan Washington, DC.
Kyra Taylor is the second born daughter of a pastor who has a passion for God and the church. A dedicated mother of four, Kyra enjoys music, reading, traveling and writing poetry, short stories and articles in her spare time. She also is committed to growing her JUST, Inc. women's ministry and helping to empower other women to pursue their dreams.
Patti Trafton was born in Trenton New Jersey but raised and still resides in Newport News, Virginia with her family and friends. There she met her late husband Alvin W. Trafton. After his passing she mustered up the strength to stay focus and succeed in life. Patti loves to sing, act and does stand up comedy where she portrays "Mother Clarissa" an entertaining, old-school church mother. Now Patti is currently working on her second novel.
Stacy Woods has been an avid reader her entire life. As a pre-teen Stacy became a huge fan of Judy Blume then moved on to V.C. Andrews in her teenage years, completing all of the sequels to "Flowers in the Attic." Upon entering college Stacy added the great authors such as John Grisham, and John Patterson to her repertoire, then moved to the great African American authors such as Toni Morrison, Zora Neal Hurston, Gloria Naylor, and a host of others. In 1991 Stacy became one of the founding members of the Imani Reading Group located in the Metropolitan Atlanta area, which opened the door to many other great African American authors such as J. California Cooper, BeBe More Campbell, Walter Mosley, Jill Nelson and Tina McElroy Ansa to name a few. Stacy is now turning her passion of reading to one of writing, it is her mission to share stories that will uplift, encourage and open up positive and inspiring conversation. Stacy lives in the Atlanta Metropolitan area with her husband.
