Publisher’s Message
William E. Berry, Jr., CEO/Publisher, aaduna Inc.
Noticeably, 2023 drifted in and out far too quickly; jolted by international wars, there were a bountiful amount of domestic (and international) political twists, turns and DEI issues. Often what should have been inclusion was anything but (think challenges to recognizing and teaching Black History in different states, southern border immigration crises, transgender rights, women’s health prerogatives, and ongoing attacks on Black women in significant leadership positions.)
Par for the course, aaduna had a variety of ups and downs. However, with a jolt from our California editor and in-person events, aaduna’s pathway appears strong nestled in its core conviction…providing a publishing pathway for literary and visual arts creatives of color, as well as others whose work explores the myriad and complex issues of a multicultural society. And then there was aaduna’s past honored, with two November 2023 in-person events.
In 2013, aaduna celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passing of Harriet Tubman with a reading of original poems inspired by Tubman’s legacy. Cyd Charisse Fulton wrote the chapbook prior to this event, and aaduna sought to frame and institutionalize her work as a public reading at the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church on Franklin Street in Auburn.
On November 8, 2023, ten years later, Fulton re-read her original work in its entirety returning to Auburn, NY’s Seymour Library. Fulton’s collection is titled, “Feeding Off Of The North Star,’ inspired by the life & legacy of Harriet Tubman.
On November 9, 2023 at The Carriage House Theater, Cayuga Museum of History and Art, aaduna presented “Fierce! Revisited!,” a homage to its 2018 “Fierce!” reading at the National Women’s Historical Park, Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, NY. That event presented three women poets (Jackie Warren-Moore (now deceased,) Karen Faris and Cyd Charisse Fulton. The work of these women’s challenged the status quo, racially/gender inspired obstacles, and displayed the muti-generational fierce spirit of womanhood. Five years later, “Fierce! Revisited!” was convened.
Faris and Fulton were joined in readings by Tamara Madison, a Valenica College professor and award recognized writer/poet who resides in Orlando, FL. These “fierce” women creatives were joined by special guests poets Howard Nelson and Doug Curry. Benny Williford provided live music on vocals and keyboards.
And then the year drifted toward closure in a bittersweet manner.
In spring and fall 2011, aaduna worked with and then published the work of emerging writer/playwright Michael Rhynes. (We also published his work in subsequent issues.) At that time and for years prior and to follow, Mr. Rhynes was incarcerated at the Auburn, NY maximum security prison, Auburn Correctional Facility (ACF.) for murder. A crime he fervently denied. The founder of the theatrical prison group, The Phoenix Players, Michael was a gentle and giving soul. Unfortunately, the NYS Correctional System transferred him to the infamous Attica Prison further upstate NY. Always maintaining his innocence, Cornell University professors and other community activists continued to try to underpin his creative ventures; sought to gather support and counsel for his eventual release and was met with formidable resistance from state prison administrators.
So, in the interest of full disclosure, I share edited comments sent to Dr. Crowley, a contributor in this issue, who wrote an essay regarding the ACF. * {PLEASE Note: I also included the bio initially published when his work was presented in the 2011 issues.}
Be well.
Stay safe.
Always be creative and more so, be the change you want to see.
~bill
*Michael Rhynes, who spent too many years at the Auburn Correctional Facility was arbitrarily transferred to Attica a few years ago. He has NOW been found NOT GUILTY of murder.
The system of justice made him spend 37 years in prison.
His conviction was overturned on December 19, 2023.
His daughter, who was born 3 months after Michael's arrest, has never seen her father outside the confines of prison.
Rhynes’ conviction was tossed for a 1986 murder conviction after two key witnesses who previously had been in jail with Michael recanted their testimony. Michael was convicted of killing two people in a failed robbery at Rico's Restaurant in Rochester in 1984. At that time, the prosecutors were ready to drop charges against Michael; the trial judge "urged them to forge ahead."
I first met Michael through the work of faculty at Cornell. I edited his writing for publication in aaduna and attended the theatrical productions of the Phoenix Players founded by Michael.
So, after over three decades, justice has finally happened. And society wonders why some folks see the criminal justice system the way they do that justice is not equal.
* * * * *
Michael Rhynes has been in…the New York State prison system [where] he has explored and advanced his humanity through the eye of the needle that is art. Prison art is different from worldly art, simply because it’s learned under the strangulation of prison regulations that obscure the space between being human and that of being a beast. Prison art has been the boon of Michael’s existence. Without prison art, he would have choked to death long ago. Despite the enormous bushel of repression, Mr. Rhynes has lived under his creative light that continues to shine forth. Over his decades in prison, Michael has had a poetry chapbook published entitled, “Guerrillas In the Mist.” He has been nominated for a “Pushcart” prize by aaduna. In 2009, he co-created and co-founded The Phoenix Players Theater Group (PPTG) at the Auburn Correctional Facility (see phoenixplayersatauburn.com) in Auburn, NY which is still going strong today. He participated in four performances produced by PPTG. He appears in the documentary “Human Again,” which won several awards from film festivals. For almost 10 years he helped facilitate Monday night poetry classes at ACF and created a poetry class at the Attica State prison also in New York. At Attica, he created and co-founded “Third Prison From the Sun Theater Group.” Michael has also performed in the chorus with the world-famous Glimmerglass Festival in its production of “West Side Story” at Attica. Michael’s poems, short stories, and articles have been published by Flying Horse, Climbing the Walls, The Advocate, aaduna, The Buffalo Challenger, Justica, Olive Trees, Spark, Inside/Outside, Scope, Writers Block and phoenixplayers at auburn.com. Michael obtained his associate degree in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences from the prestigious Cornell University Prison Education Program (CPEP).