Author, public speaker, poet, youth advocate, entrepreneur, if you don’t know the name Basheer Jones, you will soon.
Host of Radio-One Cleveland’s Newstalk1490am 6am-9am Morning Show, “Basheer Jones and Company” and has interviewed the likes of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, Rapper Young Jeezy, Past President of NAACP Kweisi Mfume, Tavis Smiley and many, many, more.
This talented young man is making his second visit to Detroit, where he will be the special guest at the “Celebrating the Black Men In History from Struggle To Strength” forum.
I had a chance to sit down with Basheer in a very enlightening one-one-one.
Michigan Chronicle: Is this your first time to Detroit, if so, what has been your outside impression of Detroit through media, etc.?
Basheer Jones: This is my second time to Detroit. I love it. The people have this realness about them that you don’t get in many places. If they rock with you they rock with you and if they don’t like you they don’t like you. It’s such a historical city. During the Great Black Migration many of our people came to Detroit and got opportunities they couldn’t get elsewhere. This city created a sound that changed the world. The world owes Motown aka Detroit
MC: What was your inspiration for both your spoken word cd & book “I’ll Speak For Change?”
BJ: My mother passed away 5 years ago this month from breast cancer and she would always say use your words to make a change. I wanted to create something that would live after me.
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MC: What do you feel is the biggest struggle right now for African-American Males?
BJ: Our struggle is an internal and external one. Racism and self-hatred keeps us from rising. The key is love. Love of the Creator, love of self, love for your people, love for humanity and love for all of creation (past, present and future)
MC: Lastly, what can people expect from you and the event this weekend?
BJ: You’ll cry, laugh, and hopefully think. I leave my soul on the stage. It’s all about dropping seeds. It’ll be a night that I promise you won’t forget.
To hear more from this all-encompassing artist, visit the Colossal Poetry Lounge on Saturday, February 21st the event will be celebrating Black Men in History and their contribution by honoring Malcolm, Marvin and Marcus Garvey from Struggles to Strengths.
Follow Basheer Jones on Twitter @basheerj
For more information on “Celebrating the Black Men In History from Struggle To Strength” forum at the Colossal Poetry Lounge CLICK HERE.
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