Straight Out Scribes - Bio Since 1991, V.S. Chochezi and Staajabu, a mother daughter poetry duo known as Straight Out Scribes, have self-published 6 books of poetry, produced one CD with poetry and music combined and produced more than 150 poetry readings at Carol's Books in Sacramento, which they hosted for more than 10 years.
They have produced many other programs: African Expressions Poetry Sessions I, II, III, the Northern California Dreadlock Conference for 3 consecutive years, Hair It Is, the Second Hand Store Fashion Show, Poets Corner for the Art and Soul Festival of Black Folklore 3 consecutive years, 15 Kwanzaa presentations and demonstrations, Shugah Shack, Art Speaks for the Crocker Museum, Sacramento Through African Eyes art exhibit and 16-month poetry calendar, and 9 fundraisers for death row political prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal. They were members of the planning committee for the first ever Sacramento International Poetry Festival, in November 1999 at California State University Sacramento. Most recently, they produced along with JASAC, the Sacramento 2004 Locks Festival and are currently producing Sacramento's first Rantathon, so stay tuned!
The Scribes have made over 300 appearances as featured readers, speakers or presenters at poetry venues, workshops, churches, festivals, schools, colleges, community programs, radio and television programs and events in Sacramento, the Bay Area and beyond. Their writings have appeared in publications too numerous to mention.
Their self-published books are: Crucial Comments and Vicious Verses, BAMM, This Queendom Come, Taking Names and Pointing Fingers, African Reflections, and Scribes Rising. They also have a CD entitled Mind Quake.
Scribes Rising, is a poetry anthology including some of their newest work, old favorites and poems by Jr. Scribes, Jessicah and Tisho.
The Scribes have been the recipient of several awards: The Sacramento Sound of Soul award for best poetry group of 2002, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission New Works Awards for 1994 and 2001, Outstanding Women of Color Award 2001, Black United Fund of Sacramento Valley Walter Bremond Community Service Award 1999.
Staajabu, the founder and mother/grandmother was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Camden, NJ. She is a writer, graphic artist, poet, producer, administrative assistant and community activist.
V.S. Chochezi, daughter, has two daughters of her own, Jessicah, age 18 and Tisho 16. V.S. was born in Riverside, CA and raised in Camden, NJ. She graduated Delaware State College with a BA in Journalism and California State University Sacramento with a Master's in Communication Studies. V.S. is single mother, writer, poet, producer, community activist, publications specialist and College Instructor.
The Scribes are members of ZICA Creative Arts and Literary Guild and supporters of the Birthing Project, The All African Peoples Revolutionary Party, The Jericho Amnesty Movement, and The African Diaspora Film Society. They have been working on the Campaign of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal and nine members of the MOVE Family Africa since 1989.
Photos by Rosie Ramirez
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Email: straightoutscribes@yahoo.com
