Inner-views

 Photo 2008, Baltimore

 In June of 2009, my heart was broken from the untimely death of my beloved, so called "step" but really a genuine soul sister, Brenda "Doni" Johnson.  Doni fell asleep in death within a  month after she was diagnosed with leukemia.  Impossible!  Doni was life itself!!! 

A  year out of retirement, she was the picture of an organic lifestyle.  She traveling a life journey of enlightenment and humanitarian deeds. We were true friends and I was her "little sister" since I was a youngster.  
Her father, Melvin Johnson, was my mother's life & business partner.  He was also my legal guardian after my dad died when I was 10.  Doni was always a loving and kind big sister to me.  She always smiled, seemingly amazed at my latest adventures. Her eyes sparkled whenever I was in her presence and I admired her sassy, classy, regal roots earth mama vibe.  I more than loved her, I adored her and I could feel she felt the same.

       As Doni's "baby sister" she always gave me her undivided attention, always amazed at my crazy humor a serious interest and support of whatever adventure I was on. One of my treasured memories, was when I was 12, she  took me to Harlem, New York. Long before "take your kid to work day"  Doni took me backstage to her dancing gig at the famous Small's Paradise Nightclub where she was in a dance revue. She was the understudy for Lola Falana in Sammy Davis Jr's play, Golden Boy.  

Greater than that...before we left from Philadelphia to New York, Doni  fulfilled my wildest dream and strongest desire of a 12 year old fashionista. She gifted me my first pair of white go-go boots! So you know that was a very serious L-O-V-E offering!

Always grateful for exposing me to the "behind the  scenes" of the grit and glamor of the Performing Arts. The experience carried me into my adult life as I became involved with the talents of  American and Caribbean artistic communities, never impressed or star struck. In my early 20's I was living in West Hollywood employed in the music industry as a A&R rep, music publisher and promoter for the Wes Farrell Organization, which housed Chelsea Records.

When I married in the 80's I continued to live a creative life, as a mother, wife and a youth director and arts activist for many community art  projects.  Honing performing skills as a hobby and developed as one of  the Artistic Directors for the West Chester Community Performers, acting  and  play writing in community theaters. 
90's found me a ARTress/storyteller I traveled internationally presenting the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar.  As a Performance Poet, I traveled extensively with an all female spoken  word ensemble based in Philadelphia known as "In The Company Of  Poets."  

Doni was living in a high rise apartment near the Philadelphia Art Museum and working for the city, managing her own business and making waist beads, but she always supported and attended many of my performances. 

Ok, now back to another reason I'm writing this story... continued at Pretty Imperfections....the story