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ISSUE ONE

Juan McGruderPrimus St John

Turiya AutryMo WilliamsJenna Wade

ISSUE ONE

MANAGING EDITORCREATIVE DIRECTORDESIGN DIRECTORMarilyn Cisneros

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTCliff Barnett

SPECIAL THANKS TOCONTRIBUTING ARTISTSJuan McGruder Primus St JonesTuriya Autry Mo WilliamsJenna Wade

CONTACT USwww.iamagazine.com

PRINTINGCreative Printing GroupPortland, Oregon

ISSN 2010-0001

Published by I AM Creative Media

All Content Copyright 2010 . All right reserved

without limiting rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduce, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of the magazine.

I am is not responsible for the return or loss of, or for any damage or injury to, any unsolicited manuscripts or artwork

EDITOR’SI AM is a magazine about the people in Portland, how inspiring they are to their culture, this magazine is to encourage people with different cultural back-grounds who bring a positive change to those around them. I AM hopes to foster a greater awareness of cultural values and the need to preserve them. This page would indicate letters to me, the editor, and my response would be published here in future issues.

When I interviewed Juan for this story I was fascinated on how significant an impact his culture has on his work. Spending time with someone from a different culture helped me recognize myown culture and its influence on my work. I was able to enjoy their work place and explore on what they do. The different talents from interviewers encouraged me to believein myself and keep going.

Our cultural take is an impor tant par t of who we are. Por tland, Oregon is made up of many people from many different cultures. Artists whose cultural roots are expressed with their ar t. What you will see are lot of many shops, restaurants end work spaces all reflecting the cultures of their owns. The diverse cultures make Portland unique and interesting. There is always something going on.

Marilyn QuinteroMarilyn C. QuinteroDesigner for I AM

PAGE

[ TABLE OF CONTENTS ]JUNE 2010

6

12

18

28

Short Profiles state a little about the person and what they do.

Art Essay shows the work of the artist in a series.

Long Profiles communicatesmultiple images that enrichesthe story.

Music

COVER FEATURE

Juan McGruder photography is unique, creative, artistic andevery opportunity tells a new story and a new friendship. 20

Short Profi lesPrimus John communicate his feelings about his culture.

14

30

8

Art EssayMo Williams she challenges historical racial and gender stereotypes while asserting the power of African Americans.

MusicJenna Wade, has composed some of the most beautiful and captivating music that deals with her culture.

10Turiya Autry expresses her thoughts, feelings and emotions towardsher life.

CREATIVE

MIN

DS

The short interview explicit purpose is to fi nd out interesting and helpful infl uential African American in the area of Portland. Africans Americans made great stride to success this year. And Primus St. Jones, and Turiya Autry are creative writer who inspire other people to write about their culture.

I AM 7

Primus St. John haslived in Oregon formore than 30 years and he is a professor of englishat Portland State University. He isthe author of several collections of poetry which have received Awards, and he is also the editor of two anthologies. Primus had earned the Western States Book Award for Poetry, Oregon Book Award for Poetry, and PEN West Award.

Here are some books that he has published:

Love is Not a Consolation: It is a Light at Carnegie-Mellon University Press, Skin on the Earth Copper Canyon PressFrom Here We Speak Oregon State University Press (Editor) Zero Makes Me Hungry Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, Poems Copper Canyon Press, Dreamer Carnegie Publishing,

PRIMUS JOHN

[CREATIVE WRITER]

How has your culture infl uenced you? “My culture has provided me with

the right models in life that I have learned art, language, and music

through out them.”

I AM 8

I AM 9

TURIYA[CREATIVE WRITER]

AUTRY

Her life experience has shaped her to who she is now. The turning point in her life is when she left husband. She had

to overcome that for her children and fi nd a new path. “What kind of example for my children would I be if I didn’t follow my dreams.” Since young she knew she wanted to become a perfomer and make a difference. Martin Lurther King infl uenced her to use her voice. Make an impact with words. Also have exposure when she was young and hip hop music helped her to speak out. She got asked to be the opening speaker at a convention for Hilary Clinton. The attention and media she got exposed to made

her realized that that is what she wanted to do.

She has provided writing workshops for 4th to 12th grades students throughout Portland and elsewhere in Oregon. She picks this age group becuase she believes it starts

at a young age. Kids need a role model to look up to and Turiya, a women in color, fi ts that part perfectly. She shows students to fi nd their voice and to express themself though creative art. She does this through the kindess of her

heart and fi nds it rewarding to know that she is

leaving behind a little of herself.

Turiya is an Instructor is Black Studies, a teacher, and an adviser at Portland State University (PSU). She has taught Black Feminism/Womanism in schools. She directs an after-school workshop for Rosa Parks Elementary School. Turiya has also coordinated the departments’s popular Black Bag series events and brought performers, artists, and scholars to campus and the wider community.

I AM 10

I AM 11

VIS

ION

ART

For Visual Art, Mo Williams, nature is mysterious, powerful, dynmaic, fragile, and essential to our well-being. She has her own style and it shows through her work. Most of her art is in series that has the same idea which is ‘Afraican American make a difference.’

I AM 13

MO[ARTIST]

Mo studied at Portland State University were she earned an art history degree. Her biggest infl uence and inspiration comes from her Mom and Art instructor Isaka Shamshuddin. She’s always involved in local events and believes in giving back to the community. She also believes in nur turing the mind and the soul. She expresses herself with an authority, “Your abilities are a part of who you are and when you take pride in them, you affi rm the love, esteem, and trust with which you view yourself.” She has never been afraid to explore her talent and fulfi ll her own artistic goals. And with the help of others she has accomplished this and much more.

Her work is unique because she doesn’t repeat nor copy her ar t. Her ar t is on display in local restaurants, galleries, and in schools. She strongly believes in helping the children of all ages to take action in music and ar t.

If you take PRIDE in your many accomplishments and make the most of every CIRCUMSTANCE in which you fi nd youself, your time will come.

WILLIAMS

I AM 14

I AM 15

BE YOURSELF

WOMEN WITH PERSONALITY,CREATIVITY, STRENGTH, AND A VOICE IS MY INSPIRATION. OUR DREAMS IS WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE. AND MANY AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MY HERITAGE ARE HIGLY INFLUENTIAL IN MY LIFE. THEY MADE ME WHO I AM TODAY. THE BEST ADVICE TO GIVE IS

BE YOURSELF

WOMEN WITH PERSONALITY,CREATIVITY, STRENGTH, AND A VOICE IS MY INSPIRATION. OUR DREAMS IS WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE. AND MANY AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MY HERITAGE ARE HIGLY INFLUENTIAL IN MY LIFE. THEY MADE ME WHO I AM TODAY. THE BEST ADVICE TO GIVE IS

I AM 17

CULTURED IN

FLU

EN

CE

The short interview explicit purpose is to fi nd out interesting and helpful infl uential African American in the area of Portland. Africans Americans made great stride to success this year. And Primus St. Jones, and Turiya Autry are creative writer who inspire other people to write about their culture.

I AM 19

JUAN [PHOTOGRAPHIER]

MCGRUDER’S

EVERYONE WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I WOULD RATHER TAKE A PICTURE THAT

IS CONSIDERED ART THAN JUST A GOOD SNAP SHOT. BE ING CREATIVE IN YOUR

OWN WAY AND HAVING AN ARTISTIC EYE,

BEING MOTIVATED IS WHAT MAKES ONE DIFFERENT.

I BELIVE I HAVE THAT THANKS TO MY CULTURE

I AM 22

EVERYONE WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I WOULD RATHER TAKE A PICTURE THAT

IS CONSIDERED ART THAN JUST A GOOD SNAP SHOT. BE ING CREATIVE IN YOUR

OWN WAY AND HAVING AN ARTISTIC EYE,

BEING MOTIVATED IS WHAT MAKES ONE DIFFERENT.

I BELIVE I HAVE THAT THANKS TO MY CULTURE

“

“

Juan McGruder (Above) stated that Portland made it easier to interact with different culture

I AM 22

How has your culture infl uence you? “Coming from texas, it is difficult for me to see things in black and white" JuanMcGruder grew up in a place were the majority of people are Africans. His first experience where he felt different

was in middle school.To put it in his worlds, "from a different planet." He was starting to notice the different colors and shades in people.

He learned to love music and dance because it was part of his culture. And his non-african friends did not understand that. His interests were different. But he also started to see the differences in race and in CULTURE.

How do you get your name out there?“I study pop culture, gossip, reality t.v., other culture, and just be aware of what is going on.” It has helped him get variety clients with a difference race and make them feel comfor table. Since Portland has a variety of cultures he needs to connect with people in a different way and networking is the key to success. “For Jobs, I network from people I have shot before and know. They’re great recommendations. My everyday life like people from church are aware of what I do.”

COMING FROM TEXAS, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE THINGS IN BLACK AND WHITE

JM

I AM 23

JUAN’S[FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY]

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO SHOT? “Nature, but I love shooting HIGH fashion.” Couldn’t get a job so he moved into nature and wedding. He enjoy shooting almost everything mostly here in Portland. “There is a lot of oppurtunity to shoot events, activities, nature, people, and everything else.”

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?“I always keep in made my goal, which is to show Africans in roles that are not portrayed. I like what I do and I won’t change anything about it. Moving to Portland was a great turn in my life.”

HIS TALENT HAS DIRECTED HIM HERE TO PORTLAND. HE SHOWS A UNIQUE IDEA WITH AN ARISTIC FLARE.JUAN IS A PHOTORAPHIER AND AFRICAN AMERICAN INSPIRATION.

I AM 25

[FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY]

I AM 26

He studied advertising at the

University of Texas with a minor in Writing. But he realized

that for him, it was with photography that words

came to life would capture an

experience, an emotion, and tell a story in a different Photography captures concepts like writing can. He jokingly mentions to me that he was never a good pen-artist.

Juan mentions that back home in Texas finding a job was easier. There was more demand and people felt more comfor table because they were from the same culture. But he moved to Portland because he wanted different scenery. "Living in the northwest wouldn't be hard to represent who I am. Portland makes it easier to interact with different culture."

In Dallas, Texas he would take pictures of models for their portfolio and he wanted to get back into it, here, in Por tland. But struggles to get a job.

[FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY]Most of his audience are African Americans because of the perception. "We understand proper lighting, what is under expose in pictures, we want good quality without the lighting, and there is only so much you cando in photoshop. We don't want the standard shot. We want that image that represents themselves and our culture. Plus, they probably feel more comfortable around me because of my skin color." He shows elements that have context and interest. “Instead of taking original pictures I take shots of different view, different angle, and with an artistic approach."

His images and work makes you want to turn your head. And view it in a different perspective. He captures people enjoyment and there moments by using the backdrop of the dramatic color.

Juan has a really great personality and is a l ikeable person. It comes to no surprise to me that he is always being recommended. He presents clear message and creates a appreciative fi rst glance.

I AM 27

MU

SIC

LISTEN

I AMI AM 28

The short interview explicit purpose is to fi nd out interesting and helpful infl uential African American in the area of Portland. Africans Americans made great stride to success this year. And Primus St. Jones, and Turiya Autry are creative writer who inspire other people to write about their culture.

I AM 29

JENNA[MUSICIAN]

WADE

Her culture has infl uence her R&B style and to what type of music she does. Growing up in the streets

of Sacramento, California, Jenna was infl unced by her father, who played the saxophone with a local

band. Her fathers style of music developed with Rhythm and Blues bands usually consist of piano, bass, drums, and saxapohone. Her fi rst recording was with RCA Music at the age of 22 years old. Her commitment to being unique. She is now recording her new album called In Love.“Love like you life dependended on it. I have been hurt before, but never stopped beliving that I deserved to be loved. I’m me, and I’m like nobody-else” There is no love like the one her and her father. She learned lot from him and he has inspire her to folllow her dreams. She expresses herself through music, “I’m really lucky to be able to

realize my dream from singing with my father. I have a great job becuase I’m doing what I like

to do which is performing. I am so inspired by music. If I hear a great song or great lyrics, it can

change my whole day.”

HER INFLUENCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR HER. HER FATHER AND

AFRI CAN AMERICAN CULTURE. HER FATHER HAS INSPIRITED HER TO DO HER BEST. SHE

WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM TELLING HER TO FOLLOW HER DREAMS. I AM 30

HER INFLUENCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR HER. HER FATHER AND

AFRI CAN AMERICAN CULTURE. HER FATHER HAS INSPIRITED HER TO DO HER BEST. SHE

WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM TELLING HER TO FOLLOW HER DREAMS.

Marilyn Cisneros

Cliff Barnett

Keala Young

[CONTRIBUTORS]

Marilyn is the editor, art director, graphic designer, and the photographer for I AM magazine. Her energy and enthusiasm helps motivates others to be successful. She is a focused learner that works consistently towards her goals. She stays on task until the project was completed and when done with one assignment she would ask for the next. Marilyn has a very positive attitude and truly embraces learning.

Cliff Barnett, editorial assistant his approaches his work with a positive attitude and shows a high degree of responsibility in his ability

to complete projects on time and with quality. This has earned his

the utmost respect from his co-workers.

Keala Young is the voice, the one that speaks out her mind. Keala has demonstrated to me that she possesses the qualities that will make her successful in life. She shows excitement and encourages others to participate in I AM activities. Keala has a positive, energetic attitude and always has a smile.

I AM 32