Meet Sullee J, Poet and Hip Hop Artist

Sullee J is a warrior poet and philanthropist from Baltimore. He's an emcee whose strong will and devotion to the human spirit carries his exploration of the language, making serious play of the words that represent the deepest of the mind's pains, hopes, losses, and fears. He has recently collaborated with Young Buck, Project Pat, Joe Moses, Royce Da 5'9, Crooked I, Canibus, Cashis, Cyssero, K-Rino, and more.

Check out Sullee J's music on SoundCloud and YouTube, and follow him on Twitter.

1. When you were a kid, what came first for you--music or poetry, or did you become interested in both around the same time?

Poetry. If anything made sense at that point, it was putting my feelings into words. I felt like it was the best way to understand myself, and for myself to be heard. I would write for hours, and somehow it all came out in rhythmic patterns. The ink bled my thoughts, allowing me to escape my mind's darkest caverns.

2. What is your process like when it comes to composing new work?

Sometimes, depending on my mood, a whole song can take me under 20 minutes to write, and sometimes I will spend a week. It all depends on what I'm going through, and the current emotion I'm allowing to peak.

3. You do a lot of collaboration with other artists. What does collaboration add to your own work?

It allows me to build with the other artists and show versatility in my music. Because most of the collaborations I've had are with major artists, it really allows me to challenge myself as a musician. I will always be different--I choose not to be congruent. I want to show my fans, but also other artists on the come up, always stay true to yourself, regardless the influence.

4. What projects are ahead for you in 2016?

Stay tuned for a lot of brilliant works in the mix right now. My latest project coming out next is Andrew Slayer: The Undefined Soul. A clash between Hip Hop/EDM.

5. What is your advice to others who are interested in rap and hip hop but haven't started recording and sharing their own rhymes yet?

Don't let anyone else tell you how to feel about yourself. If you believe in your dreams, then keep going. You don't need people in your circle that are constantly putting you down. Stick to positive energy only. Life is too short to allow negativity to surround.

Thanks, Sullee J!

Meet Kevin Shird, Author and Cofounder of the Mario Do Right Foundation

Kevin Shird is president and co founder of The Mario Do Right Foundation along with Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actor Mario. A much sought-after speaker, Kevin shares his story with lawmakers in DC and nationwide. Kevin is partnering with Baltimore-area universities and community organizations to use his story as a tool and resource for understanding the perspective of youth in similar circumstances and for planning more effective interventions to break the cycle.

Learn more by checking out Kevin's Facebook page and reading about his book on Amazon.

1. What inspired you to want to start sharing your story with others?

I thought that it was a story which needed to be shared. It's not only a story about the streets but also about the journey. How does a young kid get there, and then once he or she arrives at that place, how do they return to where they need to be? How do we pull them back in from the streets and a road to greatness?

2. In writing your book, what did you find most difficult about the process?

The editing was the toughest obstacle. Being comfortable enough to allow others to make changes to your work is very challenging, especially when it is your personal story. How can you edit your life? It can be stressful, but it's also a necessary part of the process to make your book readable.

3. In addition to helping others, do you feel that writing about your experiences has helped you, too?

Of course. Writing has been therapeutic for me. It's helped me get rid of the baggage I was dealing with. It helped me grow as a person and as a man. Writing has also helped me better understand the role I played in many of the bad situations I've encountered in my life. Reflecting and putting to words was a powerful exercise in healing and making amends, hence the title "Lessons Of Redemption".

4. Would you tell us a little bit about The Mario Do Right Foundation and how you became involved in this project?

The Do Right Foundation is a nonprofit which focuses on substance abuse prevention education. In 2007 MTV came to Baltimore specifically to film a piece on my business partner who is in the music business. The piece was highly successful and drew 4,000,000 viewers once aired, and focused on his mother's heroin addiction. MTV actually suggested that we should start a foundation to support children of addicts. My partner asked me to help build the organization, and we became partners from there. I became the co-founder, working diligently to grow an organization which could have a real impact. We wanted to support children struggling from the negative effects of their parents and addiction.

5. If you knew that a youth in crisis--or the parent of a youth in crisis--were reading this right now, what might you say?

Find them help immediately and don't waste time. Don't hesitate and don't second guess yourself. If you think something is abnormal, more often then not you are probably right. There are tons of resources online for substance abuse and mental health.

Thanks, Kevin!

Meet Kathy Reading, Artist and Jewelry Maker

Kathy Reading been making jewelry for over 15 years, using gemstone beads and Swarovski crystals. Popular items in her Etsy shop are necklaces with matching earring sets. She likes to work in her studio along with her beading kitten, who "assists" by napping on her bead stash. Kathy is going to a bead show the end of the month and hopes to find a lot of new gemstones and other items to incorporate into jewelry for the upcoming 2013 holiday season.

Learn more about Kathy and her work by visiting her blog: http://catjudesigns.blogspot.com.

1. How did you first become interested in making jewelry?

I became interested in making jewelry many years ago when my sister gave me a jewelry making kit for Christmas. It had little tiny gemstone chips, and instructions to make a necklace, bracelet and earrings. I was hooked! At the time it was very difficult to get jewelry making supplies, as there was no internet. I found a catalog to purchase from an ad in a craft magazine (of course no color photos like now, just line drawings) and ordered some beads.

I also went to a couple of craft shows and talked with vendors there who were selling their jewelry. They did not want to share their sources with me on where they got their supplies, and were very suspicious when I told them I also made jewelry. Boy, was I glad when the internet came along, especially eBay. In 2001 I got my start with being able to purchase supplies online and even took a few classes. I have been making jewelry ever since.

2. What inspires your designs, and what materials do you especially enjoy working with?

I look for inspiration everywhere, especially unique color combinations. Gemstone beads often have interesting colors and patterns, which helps decide what colors I use in making a necklace and earring set. My favorite material to work with are Swarovski crystal beads--nothing sparkles like Swarovski. They have so many colors, sizes, and finishes--they are just so beautiful. You can really dress up a mediocre bead and make it pop by adding Swarovski crystals.

3. Your pieces related to sports teams are very unique--could you tell us a little about those pieces and the response they've received from customers and the media?

I started making jewelry using sports teams charms when a friend of mine asked if I could make her a pair of Ravens earrings. I found the charms, and of course had to dress them up with Swarovski crystals. Suprisingly enough, the sport team jewelry is very popular the whole year through, not just during the season. And when the Ravens won the championship game, I could hardly keep up with the orders. It also helped that someone posted a photo with a link to a pair of the earrings on the Washington Post website, so that exposure created an increase in visits to my Etsy shop.

4. What has your experience been on Etsy, and do you also sell your work offline?

I have been selling on Etsy for a little over two years, and it has been a positive experience. I have had many repeat customers, which is always nice. I especially like working with brides to make something for them to wear at their wedding. They often send me a photo of them wearing the jewelry, which is truly wondrous to see and know that I have been a part of someone's special day.

I also sell my work to friends and co-workers, and host a show every fall at my house. I am always searching for other ways to expand my business. One of the things I do is donate jewelry to charities to use for door prizes or auctions at their fundraising events. And I do custom work, too: I've made jewelry to match prom dresses and for a 50th wedding anniversary party. What fun!

5. What topics will readers find you posting about on your blog?

Readers can find topics on my blog relating to new Swarovski colors, before and after projects where I take an old, sometimes vintage piece of jewelry and transform it into something else, tutorials, guest blogs, other artists I have met--a little bit of everything!

Thanks, Kathy!