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Intellectual Ink Editor in Chief
Julia Press Simmons
Creative Director
Charlotte Young-Foye
Arts & Entertainment Opinion Columnist Book Reviews Graphic Design Flash Fiction ~ Contemporary Health & Wellness
Haikeem Stokes Erick S. Gray Diane P. Rembert Lamont Press Epiphany Hightower Shonda Mayes
Events
Author Untamed
Cultural
Karen E. Quinones Miller
Song of the Shadows
Phoenix Kabali
Photography
Alexandra Foye
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Editors' note
PAGE 03
Welcome to Issue 27 of Intellectual Ink Magazine! In this edition, we are thrilled to present a rich tapestry of features celebrating the intersection of literature, film, and cultural retrospectives. Our cover story, FROM PAGE TO SCREEN, offers an insightful interview with the talented Tu-Shonda Whitaker, who shares her journey of translating written words into compelling visual narratives. We also spotlight the prestigious American Black Film Festival, highlighting its impact on the industry and the incredible talent it showcases. Charlotte's Closet on Location: Miami brings you the latest in fashion and style from one of the most vibrant cities in the world. For our aspiring writers, Write News with Chris Renee & Julie Ojeda Nin offers invaluable insights and tips on navigating the world of writing, publishing, and filmmaking. Meanwhile, Erick S. Gray's Foreseeing the Future: Movies as Prophets of Reality explores the uncanny ways in which films predict real-life events. Our Arts & Entertainment piece, United Kingdom: A Retrospective of Michael Jackson & Prince by Haikeem Stokes, pays homage to two of the greatest icons in music history. And for those looking to bridge the gap between literature and film, Editor-in-Chief provides a comprehensive guide on how to Turn Your Book into a Screenplay. This issue is packed with inspiring stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking articles designed to ignite your passion for storytelling in all its forms. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Happy reading!
Charlotte Young Foye CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Julia Press Simmons EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CONTENTS 2. EDITOR'S NOTE 44. THE LITERARY GEM AWARDS BY UNTAMED 8. PHOPHETS OF REALITY ERICK S. GRAY 12. TURN YOUR BOOK INTO A SCREENPLAY ~ JULIA PRESS SIMMONS 16. BLACK CINEMA TAKES CENTER STAGE: THE RISE OF THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL 40.FROM PEN TO PODIUM: CHRIS RENEE ON WRITING, RESILIENCE, AND RAISING WOMEN'S VOICES 44. AUTHOR JULIE OJEDA NIN: A JOURNEY FROM THE SOUTH BRONX TO LITERARY PROMINENCE 48.DLW REVIEW ~ THE AMERICAN QUEEN BY VANESSA MILLER 50. FINDING STRENGTH IN STORIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CHARLOTTE HOPKINS
30.FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: CRAFTING UNIVERSES WITH TU-SHONDA WHITAKER
54. UNITED KINGDOM ~ A RETROSPECTIVE OF MICHAEL JACKSON & PRINCEBY HAIKEEM STOKES
21. CHARLOTTE'S CLOSET ON LOCATION: MIAMI
60. FLASH FICTION ~ LOVE ON FIRE BY EPIPHANY HIGHTOWER
Next year's Literary GEM Awards are slated to take place in Atlanta, GA. We can’t wait to see what surprises and awards are in store. To learn more, please join The Literary GEM Awards Facebook Group. THE LITERARY GEM AWARDS