Meet Reginald Ward (Chicago, Illinois)

"Little Black Girl" DO NOT LET ANYONE STOP YOU!IF WE CAN HAVE A BLACK FIRST-LADY "MICHELLE OBAMA"THEN TRUST ME, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. NEVER THINK THAT YOU ARE LESS THEN ANY OTHER RACE ON THIS EARTH.YOU ARE STRONGER THAN THEY WANT YOU TO THINK. IF "ROSA PARKS" COULD SIT ON A BUS AND NOT MOVE DURING ONE OF THE MOST RACIST TIMES IN HISTORY, THEN TRUST ME YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING! IF "QUEEN LATIFAH” CAN BE A SPOKESWOMAN FOR COVERGIRL THEN TRUST ME, THERE'S NOTHING YOU CANNOT SUCCEED IN.THE FIRST STEP IS NEVER GIVING UP!SUCCESS SHOULD NEVER BE MEASURED BY YOUR SKIN,BUT THE TRUE GIFTS THAT ARE WITHIN. IF AT A "BEYONCE" CONCERT YOU CAN FIND ALL NATIONALITIES SINGING AND JUMPING... THEN TRUST ME YOU CAN SUCCEED.IT'S THE FIGHT IN YOU PASSED DOWN FROM CENTURIES FOR YOU TO ACHIEVE....ALL I'M ASKING YOU IS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF EVEN IF EVERYONE ELSE DOESN'T BELIEVE.

About the Poet

Reginald is a poet/spoken word artist From Chicago, Illinois. He released a spoken word track, entitled "Mis-education of a Black Child" available on iTunes and Amazon. Reginald is the founder of Freedoms Glory Publications. He believes in fighting for justice, loving God and helping people along the way.

UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry?

Reginald: Poetry has always been a part of my life. From reading poems by Maya Angelou to poems by Tupac, I always felt a connection to writing, helping people and expressing myself.

UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written

Reginald: I think I was in elementary school. I wrote a poem to a girl I was liking. Just a way of trying to express myself if the words couldn't come out.

UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she?

Reginald: My Favorite poet has always been Ms. Maya Angelou

UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre?

Reginald: No I usually write from my emotions or the atmosphere around me.

UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not?

Reginald: I feel that lyrics/poetry are all one. It’s a way of expressing your feelings; a way of getting a message across.

UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style.

Reginald: No I kind of just go with the flow of things.

UBAWA: What poetry books have you written?

Reginald: Interpret My Interpretation

UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love?

Reginald: Happiness, Joy, togetherness, becoming one.

UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single?

Reginald: single

UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice?

Reginald: I feel we are all given chances and we all have a choice to either use that chance or walk away.

UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem?

Reginald: Everything inspires me to write. At any moment I can just write away.

UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why?

Reginald: I am not really sure; everything happens for a reason.

UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing?

Reginald: I sing

UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like.

Reginald: I work, I write music, and do extra work for the TV show “Boss.”

UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like?

Reginald: Total peace and happiness.

UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends?

Reginald: I usually spend time with my little brothers or friends.

UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs?

Reginald: No, I had a friend get killed in a club. I usually stay away from clubs.

UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take?

Reginald: I always wanted to visit France. I would probably take my cousin/God brother with me. He is a freshman at Morehouse.

UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it?

Reginald: I live in Chicago. A lot of killings and gang activity goes on here. I overcome by the grace of God each day by staying alive.

UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know.

Reginald: I am very honest. I love helping people. I usually make sure everyone else is happy before I even think about my own happiness.

UBAWA: Do you host contests or giveaways?

Reginald: I will be hosting a lot more in the next few months with my novel and poetry book coming out.

UBAWA: Any upcoming events that we should know about?

Reginald: not as of now.

Stay connected to Reginald:

Website: reginaldaward.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReginaldAWard

Twitter: twitter.com/reginaldaward