T Rodgers – Co-Founder of The Bloods

T Rodgers – Co-Founder of The Bloods

by Alex Shtaerman As a co-founder of one of the most notorious street organizations in American history, T Rodgers carries the type of street cred reserved only for a select group of individuals who through their actions, teachings and notoriety have made definitive and lasting contributions to the…

Bruce George – The Bandana Republic

Bruce George – The Bandana Republic

by Alex Shtaerman As an active writer and poet for nearly four decades, Bruce George’s work has appeared in a wealth of major magazines, anthologies as well as a host of other literary publications. Also a co-founder of the award winning HBO series Def Poetry Jam , Bruce…

Jiwe – War Of The Bloods

Jiwe – War Of The Bloods

by Alex Shtaerman Dashaun “Jiwe” Morris is still a member of the infamous Bloods gang in Newark, New Jersey and at the age twenty-seven Jiwe sits atop the totem pole of street politics in his city. However, Jiwe is by no means your typical gang member. His is…

Timea Nagy – Preventing Gun Violence

Timea Nagy – Preventing Gun Violence

by Alex Shtaerman With gun violence in the spotlight once again in the aftermath of the terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech and corporate rap music (unsurprisingly termed “Hip-Hop” by the mainstream media – as if there were no distinction) on the hot seat over lyrical content in a…

Leifel Jackson – Back In The Hood: Gang War 2

Leifel Jackson – Back In The Hood: Gang War 2

by Alex Shtaerman It’s been almost a decade since acclaimed filmmaker Marc Levin brought us face to face with gang violence in America’s heartland. Gang War: Bangin’ In Little Rock first aired on HBO in 1994 earning the CableACE Award for Best Documentary that same year and subsequently…