Blogs by Cynth'ya Lewis cynthyaspeaks@gmail.com
Cynth'ya Lewis Reed: Forty-plus Years of Purpose
3/14/2005 8:56:08 PM
Continued for the curious, from the welcome homepage of Cynth'ya's Authors Den site.
Fueled by a fervent passion for writing, reading and performing, the edu-lightened work of CYNTH'YA LEWIS REED secures a cozy niche in the hearts and memories of everyone fortunate enough to experience her hidden effervescence. Her diverse and challenged upbringing has molded her mindset to be a lover and encourager of people from all backgrounds, particularly those who feel under-and-unappreciated.
Cynth'ya's deeply personal and eclectic writing style is found in a variety of written formats, incorporating everything from poetic muse to self-help to political commentary. A few of these include professional development tactics found in nationally renown author Maria Gracia’s “Get Organized Now” series, putting politicians on notice in a piece published in Mountain View California political activist Rosiland Bivings’ “Letters to America” and the kick-off foreword addressing the cause of civil rights in the recently published All Folks Were Created Equal penned by one of Las Vegas’ preeminent diversity and human rights educators, Dr. Melvia F. Miller, Las Vegas, NV.
Reed’s creations have also been observed hanging from the historic walls of The Indiana State Museum, as well as being involved in business, educational and grass roots programming, i.e. Louisville Arts Council, The University of Louisville PEACC Project; Ball State University Black Alumni Constituent Society; and Black Business Professionals of Bloomington, IN.
Cynth'ya's has performed in bookstores, schools, music shops, art galleries, cultural centers, in little theatres, seasonal festivals, and wineries. Among her favorite youth and family-related projects in central Indiana have included public library and tutoring and after school enrichment programs like Motivate our Minds inner city tutoring and CAPE (Community Action to Promote Education).
Cynth'ya first self-published Pieces and other color’d quiltations(copyright 2002), a fabric-decorated chapbook. For more info, click on the "Books" link at the top of this page. Click on "Books" link at top of this page or continue scrolling down current page for more info.) . In May 2004 she completed a much more intense manuscript of 77 poems. The late Gerald Grimmett encouraged her, along with AD member Dan Summerfield, to enter the National Cave Canem Poetry Contest.
Favorite Community Activities: Poetry readings (of course); volunteering, consumer education and empowerment networking (specializing in gifts and wellness.)
A FEW INFLUENTIAL ARTISTIC CONNECTIONS INCLUDE:
401 Poetry Society
Humpback Barn Festival of Poetry and Art
CM Poetry Club;
Middletown Arts Project;
Indiana Writers Center;
Tipton Educational Center;
Poetry Alliance of Indianapolis;
and Louisville (KY) Arts Council.
(For more background info, click "Short Stories" to locate "Reed Professional Overview" and "Services Offered by Cynth'ya Lewis Reed")
MOST LIFE CHANGING LITERARY EXPERIENCE: 2002 Residency: Mary Anderson Center for the Arts, Mount St. Francis, IN
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: An eclectic Virgo
HOW CYNTH'YA DESCRIBES HER WRITING EXPERIENCE: “Poetic midlife edu-lightenment.”
HOW CYNTH'YA DESCRIBES HER ATTITUDE
"I'm a down to earth 'Ol' School' Mindset in a Midlife Body who refuses to give in to with mental, educational or spiritual stagnation. God has bless'd me to be influenced by both very kind giving people, as well as very unkind self-serving people. But that's cool beans. . . . The ancient philosopher Aesop is credited with the saying, 'No act of Kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.' To sum up why I stopped fighting against God's call to write my life in poetic essays is so far beyond what I can explain. All I know is that people are touched, and touching lives is my mission.
Spoken and written word is the medium that speaks to those who honor me with an invitation to bless them with my God-given gifts. As a writer and community educator I cannot help but share this artistic and literary gift of service. It helps me appreciate the Spirit of Kindness more than ever. The way I see life is there are waaay too many wonderful people to meet before I check outta this terrestrial dimension. We all need to share pieces of our experience, put this life thing together. . . live better, and help each other.”
SOME DREAMS, DESIRES & AMBITIONS (God willing of course)
12/05-Continue university teaching, and to complete 20 major public speaking engagements and own my own personal set of 10 ISBN numbers for self-publishing purposes.
12/06-Complete the writing of at least two (2) short plays, complete a volume of short fiction stories, and have my second full length volume of poetry and essays combined on bookshelves of at least five (5)independent bookstores.
12/07-Visit (maybe even appear!) on Showtime at the Apollo, Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Jam or BET's Lyric Cafe.
12/08-Achieve financial independence, expand my work through "Sassy Unlimited" as a national speaker with NSA (National Speakers Association) and speak to audiences of all ages about the power of the spoken word.
12/10-My own cable television show and syndicated column under the name of Sassy Unlimited Productions, LLC.
EXTRA STUFF: Staying healthy, having people not believe me when I tell them my true age, and owning a bed and breakfast inn as an artists retreat for people who need quiet place to write in the rolling country of Tennessee, Georgia or South Carolina, and being well-off enough to give a couple of nice college grad hospitality majors an internship managing the business.
WHAT KEEPS ME MOTIVATED: "You can believe what you want but for me, it's the love of Jesus Christ. What else is there, really?"
MOST SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE TO DATE: Standing on the property where my children's ancestors were emancipated, and walking in the slavemaster's house, and being welcomed by the slave master's ancestors, our white cousins in Abbeville SC. (Click link below titled "Millenium Reeds Walk Ancestor's SC Plantation"--see front page of website).
GREATEST DESIRE: As his only child, to be able to meet my own late father's remaining family in Collinsville/Meridian, Mississippi area. (My late father's name: Jaye Lewis: 1930-1955. His father and mother: Charles Van Franklin Perry Lewis, and Jenny Bell Wilson Lewis who had at least 16 living children.) Other than that, to be pleasing to God as a vessel for His purpose.
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