Microphones Up Guns Down Initiative  Rocks in Western Mass Hello Soul in the City fans and friends! It's so much going on in the world of Soul, but I would like to share something that is very near and dear to my heart...young people! Saving their lives is the heart and soul of my volunteerism! Two programs that I've developed and/or assisted in developing are the "Paul Laurence Dunbar Expressive Writing Workshop" and the "Microphones Up Guns Down Workshop". The latter is an initiative created by entertainer Gerald Kelly and I am so proud to be a part of this movement!!! We visited the city of Springfield MA this past weekend, [October 24th-25th] visiting alternative high school, Springfield Public Day High and Springfield College to talk to at risk teens about conflict resolution and the arts. The whole weekend was a great success and we plan to follow up with the youth to ensure that they continue to stay on track so that they may have a brighter fut...

The Big Move I know it's been a while since you've heard from me, but I have good reason...this summer, my family and I stepped out on faith and moved to the City of Soul...(No not Motown). I'm talking about Atlanta, GA. It's a hub for music, with such greats as Usher, Ludacris, TI, TLC (RIP Left Eye), Goodie Mobb and OutKast (congrats on 20 years!!!). Artists like Monica,  Janelle Monae, Xscape and India.Arie, touch my spirit...I can go on [and on] for days, weeks and years, but what I love most is that there is so much undiscovered talent, especially in the genre of Soul and I am in my utopia right now...looking, wanting and needing to consume it all!!! SO, in the words of Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri... I receive it and embrace it with all that I am; and all that I hope to be!!! Until next time, Mara Hunter Signing Off