Today's Thought (John D. Evans, ABD)

"With veins that run deep in my soul / Vessels more precious than pure gold / A being so uniquely defined / Beauty that cannot be denied / Full of life, hope, history / of goodness, grace, destiny / From a perfect model, molded by mighty, masterful hands / An awesome creature / no small wonder / I am a man / I am a seed / I am your Brother..."

John is a man with a passion for words, expression, and self-expression as bridges to connect emotionally and intelligently to ourselves and one another. Through mentorship programs focusing on self-expression through creative writing, John intends to help raise self-esteem through self-awareness. With a special interest in men and women who are incarcerated and troubled teens, John also partners with private and non-profit agencies to help the incarcerated transition into the outside world with resources, which help in social integration and educational, trade and skill training, as well as entrepreneural programs.

John D. Evans grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia with Cum Laude honors in the spring of 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. In the Spring of 2002, John earned a Master of Arts in Special Education from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois. In the Spring of 2005, John earned a Master of Arts in Education School Improvement and Leadership from Olivet-Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He is presently ABD, earning an Ed.D. in Post-Secondary Education Administration from Argosy University in Chicago, Illinois.

John is the author and founder of The Evans Poetry Collection (TEPC, Inc.), a series of books of poetry, philosophy, and word art. To date, he has published four books of the collection: "Acres of Green and Oceans of Blue: Diary of a Runaway" (2000), "More Than a Club Kid: Man Versus Self" (2002), "Things That Make My World Go ‘Round: A Poetic Memoir" (2003), and "How Deep I Can Be: Lessons and Confessions" (2004). These can be purchased through Amazon, by clicking either link (above).

Join me in an inspirational conversation about self-expression and self-healing when I and John talk about awareness through creative writing! (Stay Tuned!) (Date to be announced)

1. At what time in your life did self-expression through creative writing, composition, and speech become important to you? Did you have real life mentors who encouraged you (school teachers, the librarian, family member)? What extracurricular activities did you participate in for the love of self-expression?

2. Was self-expression through speaking and writing a major emphasis in your immediate family and household? Did your love for self-expression gain you many friends or isolate you...during grade school, junior high school, high school, college/university?

3. Who were your literary mentors? How do you view illiteracy - a challenge in self-expression or an opportunity to address the importance of self-expression? How do you harmonize your efforts in both areas? What is your opinion of present day illiteracy programs - are the programs working?

4. When and why did you make a connection between self-esteem and the need for knowledge ability to self-express?

5. Please explain your present academic progress and status? Why did you choose these programs in graduate, post-graduate work? Is it yet important for African-Americans to strongly consider Historically Black Universities? Why?

6. What does inspiration and emotional intelligence mean to you and does self-expression tie into that?

7. When did you determine through your academic and personal work that you would use what you learned to help others? What have you learned about how the world perceives those who self-express effectively? What have you learned regarding how we perceive ourselves?

8. What special population are you interested in impacting most immediately? What kind of research helped you understand your calling and to whom you were called to serve?

9. What is your view on Rap Music today? Why? Which rap artists do you admire? Why?

10. What kind of support have you sought and gained so far in gaining resources to run and expand your programs? Do you have a larger vision, nationwide, worldwide?

11. How can we support your cause and stay in touch with your progress? (Stay Tuned!)