i am honored to have had the experience to connect with this internationally acclaimed writer, anti-violence/pro-spoken word 'active-activist', entrepreneur, co-founder/co-editor of 'The Bandana Republic: A Literary Anthology By Gang Members and Their Affiliates', and co-founder of 'Def Poetry Jam', Bruce George. even though the time is edited, this is the unedited/non-radio version of the interview, in terms of content/language, posted for you on the web.
His resume and experience (posted here from his myspace page) is extensive... he has lived such a full life, and continues to do so.
"Bruce is an Executive Consultant with "HIP HOP GROWS UP, Inc." http://www.hiphopgrowsup.com
Bruce has his own online social network via “Ning”: "The People Power Network" a grassroots platform: http://thepeoplepowernetwork.ning.com/
Bruce has joint-ventured with Harold Whaley who's the COO of Mongram Virtua and Terry Cyrus of OutSpoken Media as Virtual Consultants within "Second Life" www.secondlife.com which is an entire virtual world.
Bruce is one of the founders of an anti-violence/poverty intitiative entitled "The American Experiment Peace Project" www.myspace.com/theamericanexperiment
Bruce is the Executive Consultant/VP of Business Development of Gumbo For The Soul Publications www.gumboforthesoul.com
Bruce is the Executive Consultant/VP Business Development of the "International Hip-Hop Speakers Bureau." www.hiphopspeakersbureau.com
Bruce is the Executive Consultant for Audible,Inc. creating/providing "Top Tier" Podcasting-i-Tune & i-Pod content of celebrities,Spoken Word Artists,rappers, authors,comedians, singers etc.2006
Bruce was a "Panelist" for American Idol Underground's Spoken Word competition: www.idolunderground.com 2006.
Bruce is the Founder of "Ebony Energy Talent Network (EETN): www.ebonyenergytalentnetwork.com" which includes a Speakers Bureau/Talent Network including Dr. Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, Malik Yoba, The Last Poets, Umi Smith (Mos Def's mother), Tray Chaney (HBO's the Wire), Black Ice (HBO's Def Poetry))etc. Within (EETN) Bruce created the "Stop the Violence to Increase the Peace, Anti-Gang Violence Initiative." Featuring well-known and respected Ex-Gang Leaders (Bone-Athens Park Blood/cameo in the movie "Training Day", T. Rodgers-BPS, Redstorm-Ex-G.D./Def Poetry (HBO) etc.) from across the country etc.
Bruce has partnered with Ray Mapp of Purpose Publishing, Inc: www.blackmiracles.com Purpose Publishing specializes in Black Inventors (Tee-Shirt series/Posters), publishing, advanced silkscreen printing etc.2006.
Bruce is the Executive Consultant for Rebel Poetry Spoken Word: www.rebelpoetryspokenword.com 2005.
Bruce is the Executive Consultant for Step to The Mic based in Stockton, CA.2005.
Bruce is on the Spoken Word Committee of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy (Grammys)2004.
Bruce is the Executive Producer/Segment Producer of Focused Digizine, which is the worlds first Digizine to provide edutainment for the Hip-Hop nation. 2004.
Bruce is the President/Co-Founder of Outspoken, Where Word & World Connect a primo Spoken Word Magazine scheduled to launch in the fall of 2004.
Bruce is the Founder/Managing Editor of: The Bandana Republic, a Literary Anthology of Poetry and Prose by Gang Members and their Affiliates. Louis Reyes Rivera is the Co-Founder/Editor and Football Hall of Fame/Activist/Actor Jim Brown of Amer-I-Can has written the Foreword. Soft Skull Press is the Publisher: www.softskull.com
Bruce was the Co-CEO of BGC Entertainment, LLC 2003-2003.
Bruce was the Executive Consultant for Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway (2003 Tony Award Winner).
Bruce was the Executive Producer /Talent Executive Producer of Russell Simmons, Presents Def Poetry (HBO) 1st & 2nd Seasons.
Bruce is the Founder/CEO of SHHH! LLC.
Bruce is the Founder/CEO of Bone Bristle Entertainment, LLC.
Bruce is the Co-Founder of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam.
Bruce is the Founder/Executive Producer of: Bone Bristle, a Spoken Word Documentary (Feature length film, in post-production). AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS:2006.
Bruce was awarded the 2006 Honorary Membership, Rhyme N Chat Interactive Poetry Organization. This award was in appreciation for his support given in 2005 by Rhyme N Chat for Bruce continuing to be a positive force in the continued growth of RNC.2006.
Bruce was honored by Disilogold Soul Magazine as one of the Top Twenty Five Men of The Year, in a category with fellow honorees Michael Baisden, Bill Cox, Omar Tyree, Bill Mc Creary etc. 2005.
Bruce was the recipient of the distinguished Trail Blazer Award presented by Great Publishing Company, LLC. 2004.
Bruce was the Honorable Recipient of the Disilgold Soul Magazines Most Sought After Poet by The Media.2004.
Bruce was the Recipient of the YouNity Reviewers Guild Living Legendary Spoken Word Artist of The Year.2004.
Bruce was the recipeint of the Disilgold Soul Magazines Most Innovative Anthology of the New Year.
Bruce is the Founder/Managing Editor of "The Bandana Republics Anthology of Poetry and Prose from Gang Members and Their Affiliates."
2008 – Bruce received a “Certificate of Recognition” by the “Red I Gravy Affair End The Chao’s Program” for his work inmates at the San Bruno County Facility Jail in San Francisco California. The award was presented by Rashna Owens-Clark (Program Facilitator)
2008 -Bruce received the “Sparkle Award” for community activism Presented by Maelan Magazine: www.maelanmagazine.com
Bruce has been given an award in his name entitled: The Bruce George YouNity Reviewers Guild Award of Excellence presented by Disilgold Soul Literary Review Magazine.2003.
Bruce was the Co-recipient of the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe's First Annual Miky Award for Def Poetry Jam.2003.
Bruce was the Co-recipient of the 62nd Annual Peabody Award for Def Poetry Jam (HBO).1999.
Brooklyn Moon Cafe's Slam Team Winner- Apollo Theater.1999.
Brooklyn Moon Cafe's Slam Team Winner against the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe's Slam Team.1998.
Winner of the African Poetry Theatres annual poetry contest in 1998.
Super Slam Winner of the Hottest Poets slam contest in 1998.
Received a Certificate as a Member in Good Standing with the International Society of Poets in 1996.
Winner of Upscale Entertainments talent contest (won for poetry)in 1994.
Winner of the African Poetry Theatres annual poetry contest in 1986."
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you can contact Bruce at www.myspace.com/brucegeorge, as well as thepeoplepowernetwork.ning.com/
the songs played tonight were only two: 'Ngiculela-Es Una Historia-I am Singing' by STEVIE WONDER and (Struggle) Home by Juju.
this is about an hour conversation taken from about an hour and 35 minute one... i hope you enjoy... much thanks to dear brother Tony Muhammad and all he does in the name of pro-activity; as well as much thanks to Mack and Aaron, who took part in the conversation we had as well.
much peace...
- KBOO