Dred Sista Ren/LaTressa R. Hodges-Lumpkin considers herself a "WEstorian because their history is fiction, give it back." And a Poetical Commentator "things that are overstood never need to be explained." She is a sought after published poet, political organizer and lecturer. Sista Ren is a founding member of the Vanguard Black Underground with nearly twenty years in the game. She hails from Fitzgerald's, Spices, Dejoie's, the Bop Shop, the Literary Guild Complex, Rituals, A Touch of the Past and most importantly Literary Explosions (Lit-X) Anotha Level. She has performed and/or hosted at universities, venues and festivals around the country and Canada.
A Prysmatic Dreams Poet, Ren has shared the stage with famed poets, writers and performers Elder Sister Sonia Sanchez and Elder Brothers Amiri Baraka, Sam Greenlee, Useni Perkins, Quincy Troupe, Sterling Plumpp and Phil "Kelan" Cohran. Her contemporaries Brothers Avery (Big Daddy) R. Young, Cashus D, Chuck D, Chuck Perkins, Tyehimba Jess, Denizen Kane, Still Black See, Triple Blak, Reality, Eduardo Arocha, Ben Ortiz, Alphonso Hunter, Malik (the WordSmyth) Yusef, Khari B., Quaraysh Ali Lansana, J. Ivy, Gregorio Gomez, C. Otis Grant, Oliver Grimball, Common, Stan Skibby, David Boykin, Charlie St.Cyr-Paul, Mark Stampley and Marc Smith (Slam Papi the Founder of Slam Poetry). Sisters Tina Howell, Tara Betts, Maria McCray, Smokie and Brenda Mathews.
She has shared podiums and panels with Mr. Dick Gregory, Mr. Cliff Kelly, Mr. Lerone Bennett, Jr., Judge R. Eugene Pincham, Brothers Steve Cokely, Bill Hampton (Brother and President of the Fred Hampton Freedom Scholarship Fund), Gator Bradley, Craig Hodges, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev Al Sampson, the Honorable Prince Asiel Ben Israel, Dr. Na'im Akbar, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Dr. Conrad Worrill, Attorney Lewis Myers, Attorney Standish Willis and President Barack Obama; Mrs. Merlie Evers, Ms. Bev Smith, Sisters Akua Njeri, Pam Afrika, Alexis Herman (the first Black woman Secretary for the Department of Labor) Farai Chideya, Dr. Frances Cress-Welsing and Dr. Naimah Latif.
Sista Ren has served as the Vice-President of the Proviso West Suburban N.A.A.C.P., Illinois State President Black Think Tank, Chicagoland Urban Coordinator Rock/Rap the Vote HipHop Coalition, National Youth Director Black Political Convention 1996. She has received the Fred Hampton Freedom Scholarship Award. She was gifted by Dr. Bobbi Anthony Perez with Chicago State University's National Association of Black Professors Award in May, 1992. She was honored to participate in the Honorable Minister's Second HipHop East-West Unity Summit. She has appeared in national publications and on national media outlets such as BET,
CNN, PBS and MTV.
She was blessed to be featured on two tracks of RIAA certified platinum producer 'Mr. F.R.E.A.K.'s Weekend Love Affair' with Brother Regie "love jones" Gibson.
She along with her producer/bass player extraordinare Brother Jauqo III-X have recorded two tracks with master craftsmen and Grammy Award winning Brothers Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Calvin Weston. The two songs 'the fire this time/roll call' and 'one childless mother... continuous urban operas'. Will be released on their forth coming album 'mississippi roots... on my head inside out'.
which will finally contain the original unedited track that Brother Jauqo III-X produced for guidance records 'in midst of the rain/the messenger' which was to be featured on their "urban ren-ewal" album. dig the title spelling. being a motherfucking giant is hard hoisting creativity & integrity, we just make it look easy.
She is the Associate Director for Ashunti R.M.S.,Inc. a locally renown 501(c)(3) non-profit multi-social service agency that provides housing and supportive services to ex-offenders, the chemically dependent, HIV/AIDS impacted, victims of domestic, physical and sexual violence and homeless.
Sista Ren is Congressman Danny K. Davis', 7th Congressional District Political Action Chairperson.
Sista Ren is digging like an archaeologist being a nana to her GrandManSun & GrandButterfly.
Virgogray Press is an indie publisher, proudly making chapbooks and presenting the world with fresh poetry from genuine voices. We're just wanting to add to the many great works out there and are happy to be part of the literary movement! We are currently accepting manuscript submisssion for chapbook publication, but not for long. On Dec. 1, 2009, we will no longer be taking submissions for chapbook length manuscripts becuase we already have plenty of great poets to come in 2010, but we are still accepting general poetry submissions for other publications, so if you are a poet who wants to have your work published, or maybe wants others to read your work in the form of a publication, check out our website for details and maybe you can hop along with the Virgogray Press familiy, too!
Thanks again, and have a great week!!!
We just put up our entire catalogue-- go ahead and take a look!!
Beautiful people…Please join me as I bring to you the most
slept on singer in the industry! Rahsaan Patterson is a jewel of an artist that
bypasses all standards of vocal and songwriting excellence! Come to my
house and drink from his magic..for he is magical
indeed.
Beautiful people….I am thrilled to invite you to join me as
I welcome the amazing Angelheart! Poetess,writer,BTR host,Mother ,sister and
friend. Let us all celebrate her arrival on Sunday Sept 27th at
Epiphany’s House!
Thanks for allowing this shameless self promotion! SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT STORYTELLERS and POETS BUY ORIGINAL! THANK YOU for LISTENING and BUYING choose a selection below to LISTEN and PURCHASE! LONG LIVE the WORDS!
THIS LIL PRINCE IS OLIVER ODELL AS HE IS MY GRANDSON I AM COUNCIL TO THE CROWN. WE JUST DROPPING SOME LOVE.. & WISHING YOU A AWESOME WEEK!! REMEMBER YOU MUST OPEN YOUR HEART IF IT IS REAL PEACE YOU SEEK!!
Whats Crackin Dred Sista Ren? This Monday Aug 31st is the last Mon. of the month.. which can mean only one thing..
Mixtape Monday's Signature Hottest Song Contest Bracket Style Competition - The More Rounds You Win, The More You Perform! Big Cash Prize as Usual, Free Beats, Studio Time, and a few Surprises Exodus II, 3477 N Clark St. (2 blocks S. of Wrigley Field) Sign up: 9 pm sharp - Bring your original music on CD $15 to compete/ $5 to support *Free to watch before 10 Hosted by: Notrydo Sincere and Lady Flipsyde Sponsered by: oreganostudio.com, L'Evated Marketing, the illiesoul movement and the legendary SP1 Further questions email mixtapemondayz@gmail.com
Thank you Chicago! They said it couldn't be done this long..
The 'Springboard' Event is: Mixtape Mondays.. Chicago's Most Talked About Hip Hop, Soul Open Mic Event EVERY Monday at Exodus II 3477 N Clark St. Chicago We pay artists weekly - Over $1000 every month. The crowd decides who wins, so bring your people Also bring your original music on CD 9 pm sign up - List closes quick 21 plus $5 to perform or watch all night/ $10 to compete for the cash Metromix pick for "Best Urban Music Networking Party in the Midwest"
**Silent Auditions all month long for September's Mixtape E-event and the African Fest Labor Day Wknd.
PEACE, I come bearing Summer gifts for you! The El*A*Kwents FREE SUMMER GIVEAWAY is Available Right now for Instant Download @ the newly launched website-- www.spiritualhiphop.info.
Beautiful people……Please join me today Sunday,August
9th as I welcome the divine talent of Unknown….He is a fabulous
artist and producer..I am very proud to also call him my friend..Be sure to
drop by my house as I chat with him about his future projects…See ya there…
