“WAKE UP AMERICA!” Poetathon Part 2
with Black Arts Movement Historian / Poet Kim McMillon & Guest Poets
Sunday, July 12, 2020
2:00-4:30pm PST; 5:00-7:30pm EST
Tune in for Poetry that speaks to Freedom, Love, Peace, Equality for All !!!
via ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8615962043 Meeting ID: 861 596 2043
OR
one tap mobile
+16699006833 (CA) ,8615962043# US (San Jose)
+13462487799 (TX) ,8615962043# US (Houston)
POETS:
Dr. Kim McMillon, creator and host of “Wake Up America!”
Paul Corman Roberts
Ayodele Nzinga
Avotcja
Michelle Allison
Safi wa Nairobi
Tarika Lewis
Briana Muñoz
Tureeda Mikell
Lucinda Clark
Kim Shuck
devorah major
Karla Brundage
Michael Young
Necola Adams
Rich Ferguson
Sponsored by Bird & Beckett Books & Music, San Francisco
Dear Dr. McMillon, all poets and guests,
See you on July 12th!
I wish you and everyone around you safety, kindness, excellent health, and sweet laughter!
Sincerely,
Your fan,
Teresa Jade LeYung
Teresa also encourages everyone to watch the recording of:
- James Baldwin’s arguments in the debate with William F. Buckley at Cambridge University (1965) “Has the American Dream Been Achieved at the Expense of the American Negro?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFeoS41xe7w
- * * *
- Jeffery Robinson’s lecture on August 24, 2017 “WHEN HERITAGE = HATE: The Truth About the Confederacy in the United States” (full version) – What was the American civil war really fought about? Men. Women. Children. Chattel. Slaves. White Supremacy was the reality/truth. Who have been and are writing history books? What we can do to learn from our past and combat systemic racism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOPGpE-sXh0
Sunday, June 21, 2020, 2:00pm-4:30pm PST
via ZOOM and via FACEBOOK LIVE!
KIM MCMILLON’s
“WAKE-UP AMERICA!” Part 1
POETATHON
Line-Up of POETS on June 21, 2020, 2:00pm-4:30pm PST
Kim McMillon
John Curl
Rafael J. Gonzalez
Peggy Morrison
Raymond Nat Turner
Zigi Lowenberg
Wanda Sabir
Jose Hector Cadena
Eugene Redmond
Iris De Anda
Sonia Gutierrez
Genny Lim
Avotcja
Kathryn Takara

Kim McMillon, Ph.D. World Cultures emphasis on Black Arts Movement and African American Literature; President of the UC Merced African Diaspora Student Association
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85183847427
Meeting ID: 851 8384 7427
OR
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,85183847427# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,85183847427# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 851 8384 7427
2. Do you believe the individual can make a difference in a racist society?
3. Have you ever been confronted with racism and how did you handle it?
4. What do you tell your children about racism in the United States today?
5. Do you believe it is possible to understand racial oppression if you are not a person of color?
6. The title of the Poetathon is “Wake-Up America.” What do you see America needing to Wake-Up from?
On June 21, 2020, 2:00pm-4:30pm PST, I, Teresa Jade LeYung, shall be in the audience listening to Kim McMillon, Ph.D. and her fellow poets.
NARRATIVE PATHS JOURNAL Guest Column:
Wake-Up America! Part I
June 15, 2020
by Kim McMillon Ph.D.

Kim McMillon, Ph.D.
https://www.narrativepathsjournal.com/guest-column-wake-up-america-part-i-by-kim-mcmillon/
1. Why do you believe the issue of racism is important?
2. Do you believe the individual can make a difference in a racist society?
3. Have you ever been confronted with racism and how did you handle it?
4. What do you tell your children about racism in the United States today?
5. Do you believe it is possible to understand racial oppression if you are not a person of color?
6. The title of the Poetathon is “Wake-Up America.” What do you see America needing to Wake-Up from?
Have you ever been confronted with racism and how did you handle it?
Author Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“I am a sixty-something-year-old female American naturalized citizen, of Chinese ancestry, who has been sleeping a lot since March 16, 2020 (hours before our county was to adhere to COVID-19 ‘Shelter-In-Place’ order) when I experienced racial harassment at the local supermarket. What happened? A fifty-something-year-old Caucasian man pushed his shopping cart into the right side of my body, and then walked away with his head held high. When I told friends, they gave support through resources… including www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/stop-aapi-hate/ to report the incident, and, www.ihollaback.org to sign-up for Bystander Intervention Training to STOP anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment. I kept sleeping. Until I followed through with both resources. Gaining knowledge and skills woke up my brain.
“I didn’t know that I had to stay awake. While heroes from all walks of life were helping communities cope with daily needs during this pandemic, others continued to commit racial injustices. Details of the murders of three Americans – Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd – woke up people from all parts of the world.
”Wake-Up America!” Part 1, by Kim McMillon, Ph.D.,
Guest Columnist for NARRATIVE PATHS JOURNAL GROUP( “NPJ”) – international literary journal
In Part II of Guest Column: Wake-Up America! by Kim McMillon, we shall answer:
7. How do you become an ally to those experiencing racial oppression?
8. The public has not protested the atrocities that have been taking place in our country, but yet during a pandemic, people are taking to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, why?
9. How do you believe we can change the world for the better?
10. As a poet, how would you like to be remembered?
11. What line or stanza of poetry best describes you?
“Thank you, Dr. Kim McMillon, for giving us this forum to wake up in unity.”
Bio: Teresa Jade LeYung, American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a manuscript-theme consultant, author of Love Made Of Heart (archived at the San Francisco History Center), Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, and Talking To My Dead Mom monologues, and, an advocate for public libraries and public schools. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
Teresa Jade LeYung
Bystander Intervention Training to STOP anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment
June 3, 10, 18, 25, 2020
“This training gave me new tools to support someone experiencing discrimination. I had always thought my only option was to directly engage with the aggressor, which was terrifying to me. To know I have a lot of other tools I can use will be very helpful.” EM, Oregon State University
“I appreciate having clear and effective strategies that can be utilized immediately.” HNN, Bates Center for Purposeful Work
“Before this training, I doubt I would’ve intervened for fear of making things worse, but now I’m confident that I’m equipped with the skills necessary to diffuse any situation I may encounter.” BBB
- Wednesday, June 3rd at 2:00pm ET / 1:00pm CT / 12:00pm MT / 11:00am PT / 8:00am HST.
- Thursday, June 18th at 7:00pm ET / 6:00pm CT / 5:00pm MT / 4:00pm PT / 1:00pm HST.
- Thursday, June 25th at 4:00pm ET / 3:00pm CT / 2:00pm MT / 1:00pm PT / 10:00am HST.
Report a Hate Crime at:
- Stand Against Hate https://www.standagainsthatred.org/
- Stop AAPI Hate https://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/stop-aapi-hate/
- New Yorkers can email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov or the calling the hotline 1-800-771-7755
- New York City: If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination based on membership in a protected category, please call 311 and say, “human rights” or visit www.NYC.gov/HumanRights to report your experience. If you have been the victim of or witness to a hate crime call 911.
- You can contact Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law for assistance with legal and social services at (1-844-966-4283)
I wish you and everyone around you safety, kindness, excellent health, clear water, blue sky, delicious eats, and sweet laughter! Bonne journée!
author Teresa Jade LeYung, Paris 2019, photo by author Mary E. Knippel
As a story theme consultant, award-winning writer, and platform-building coach for pre-published and published authors, Teresa Jade LeYung helps her clients identify their core themes and transform their manuscripts into novels, biographies and memoirs. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Stay safe and healthy !!
Stay helpful and kind !!
60 Minutes Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWK1tun2UJg
USA
How COVID-19 Spreads, Coronavirus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Fauci, California Governor Newsom
Dr. Anthony Fauci Answers Trevor Noah’s Questions About Coronavirus
The Daily Social Distancing Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A3jiM2FNR8
Please share this Youtube link with everyone you care about on this planet. If only this interview would be translated into all languages.
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci shares what makes COVID-19 so insidious, busts myths about the virus and breaks down why adhering to public health guidelines is paramount.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California
Governor Gavin Newsom
https://covid19.ca.gov/
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
How to Protect Yourself & Others
this page offers information in 5 languages
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
How COVID-19 Spreads
this page offers information in 5 languages
April 7, 2020 “Fauci once dismissed concerns about ‘silent carriers’ of coronavirus. Not anymore.”
To read entire article https://news.yahoo.com/fauci-once-dismissed-concerns-about-silent-carriers-of-coronavirus-not-anymore-161718057.html
Scientists Probe How Coronavirus Might Travel Through The Air
As a story theme consultant, award-winning writer, and platform-building coach for pre-published and published authors, Teresa Jade LeYung helps her clients identify their core themes and transform their manuscripts into novels, biographies and memoirs. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
2020 April 3, 18:30 California time
Hello, Everyone,
Remember when American TV gave us PSAs? Public Service Announcements.
Perhaps if Charley & Humphrey (Mr. Pat McCormick) were on television and social media now, they’d be showing us what societal, moral responsibility is – to protect other people.
Even though I may not get seriously ill from COVID-19 also known as Coronavirus , I can get infected, with few or no symptoms, but then, I can infect another person who would then infect a vulnerable person who will then die. What I learned in biology class decades ago and what I’m learning from Dr. Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) help me do my part.
Be safe! Stay healthy! Be kind!
Scientists Probe How Coronavirus Might Travel Through The Air
How to Protect Yourself & Others
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
How COVID-19 Spreads
Person-to-person spread
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
How easily the virus spreads
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html
* * * * * * * * * * *
Charley and Humphrey “Think for Yourself”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKowhEtpCbo
and
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/
**
“If Charley & Humphrey (Mr. Pat McCormick) were here to show us”, says Story Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung
Teresa Jade LeYung
- photo by Mary E. Knippel
As a story theme consultant, award-winning writer, and platform-building coach for pre-published and published authors, Teresa Jade LeYung helps her clients identify their core themes and transform their manuscripts into novels, biographies and memoirs. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Trevor Noah’s questions about Coronavirus COVID-19 Disease
Dr. Anthony Fauci gives answers that everyone on this planet needs to know, deserves to know.
2020 March 30, 03:22 California time
Bonjour, Everyone!
Please share this Youtube link with everyone you care about on this planet. Merci beaucoup!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A3jiM2FNR8
If only this interview would be translated into all languages.
Dr. Fauci Answers Trevor’s Questions About Coronavirus | The Daily Social Distancing Show
At around four-and-a-half minutes into the interview, Trevor Noah asks Dr. Fauci about mortality rate and how people have misconstrued the numbers….
Dr. Fauci answers: “… Two things that are important. Even though you are young, you are not absolutely invulnerable for sure because we are seeing cases… most of them have some underlying disease, but, several don’t.
… young people, in their thirties, forties, who are getting sick, getting into the hospital, requiring intensive care. Still, the overwhelming proportion are the elderly with underlying disease, but every once in a while, you’re going to get a young person, so, if you think you’re completely invulnerable, you are incorrect.
Second issue that is important – that even though you may not get seriously ill, you can get infected, with relatively few symptoms, either asymptomatic or mild, relatively trivial symptoms, but then, you can infect another person who would then infect a vulnerable person who will then die.
A typical example – I’m young, I’m healthy, but you go home, you infect grandma, grandpa, a sick uncle, so, you have a responsibility not only to protect yourself but you also have a societal, a moral responsibility to protect other people…”
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Thank you to Ms. Tang of SolutionsBAC for finding this resource: Questions and Answers section at:
March 26, 2020 Coronavirus unemployment benefits. Here’s who qualifies and how much they get.
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March 16, 2020 Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Assemblymembers Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) issued the following joint statement on the six-county Bay Area Stay-at-Home order:
“During these unprecedented times, it is important that we take care of one another and make decisions that are in the best interest of public health.
“Today’s Order covering six Bay Area counties is a difficult, yet appropriate step to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our families, friends, and communities. It is the right thing to do. This temporary step to stay at home unless absolutely necessary must be followed to reduce the harmful impact of this pandemic. Our County Health leaders are experts in their fields, and they have our best interests in mind.
Freelancers, Independent Contractors, Artists, Non-Profits – we are eligible to receive benefits during the Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
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Please, everyone…
Stay healthy
Stay safe
Stay vibrant
Sincerely,
* * * * *
Teresa Jade LeYung
L.E.A.D. is the acronym for
Law Enforcement Against Drugs
ON THE STREET AND IN THE CLASSROOM
STOP SCHOOL VIOLENCE
VISION
To create safer, healthier communities free of drugs, bullying, and violence.
MISSION
We will provide the leadership, resources and management to ensure law enforcement agencies have the means to partner with our educators, community leaders, and families by providing proven and effective programs to deter youth and adults from drug use, drug related crimes, bullying and violence. We are committed to reinforcing the mutual respect, goodwill and relations between law enforcement and their communities.
https://leadrugs.org/
Give Kids the Confidence and Skills They Need to Grow into Happy Healthy Adults
Cheering for Liza, CJ and everyone who help create safer, healthier communities free of drugs, bullying, and violence.
CJ and Liza of L.E.A.D. conducted community outreach in Berkeley, California.
L.E.A.D.
5 S. Main St.
Allentown, New Jersey 08501
info@leadrugs.com
609-259-2500 | Fax 609-228-6649
Ask about programs in your city.
YES! TO Giving Kids the Confidence and Skills They Need to Grow into Happy Healthy Adults!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
As a story theme consultant, award-winning writer, and platform-building coach for pre-published and published authors, Writing Coach TERESA JADE LEYUNG empowers her clients to identify their core themes in their manuscripts and career mapping.
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Teresa Jade LeYung Recommends
2020 Self-Employment/Business Clinic
with Mary Tang of SolutionsBAC
When: Saturday, February 29, 2020, 11am – 1pm
Where: 4530 18th Street (between Ord & Douglas), San Francisco, CA 94114
Celebrate Life venue – 5 blocks from MUNI Castro station, along #33 Ashbury/18th bus route; street parking available
Facilitator: Mary Tang dba SolutionsBAC
Description: Self-Employment / Starting a Business
Want to start your own business but don’t know how to begin?
Perhaps you are already self-employed but want ideas to grow your business?
Attend this event!
Topics:
* how to set up a new business – needed steps and considerations
* starting up on a shoestring budget and using planning tools for your venture
* general tips on filing Schedule C for self-employed individuals (yes, it’s tax time!)
* inexpensive marketing and Internet resources; networking & getting leads via partnerships
* where to find your customers; fee setting and working with different types of clients
Bring your questions and let’s brainstorm solutions.
Please Note: The information being presented are general guidelines. You must consult your own tax, finance, or legal specialist to determine what is best suited for your specific situation. Workshop fee may be a tax-deductible business expense; please verify with your tax preparer.
Workshop Fee:
$50 pre-registration by Thursday, Feb 27, 2020; $60 at the door. Celebrate Life Members get a $10 discount.
If you’ve found out about this workshop through this blog post (published by Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung), please tell Ms. Tang and receive $10 discount.
Pre-register and pay via PayPal to the email account: SolutionsBAC @ gmail.com
If you can’t use PayPal, you can RSVP by Feb 27th to the above email address. Please include your first and last name. SolutionsBAC will confirm and reply with other payment options. Thank you!
Facilitator Bio:
MARY TANG has had several careers, working in different industries for nearly a hundred clients and employers – which provided her with broad business experience and insight. She consults for startup companies, nonprofits, private corporations and sole proprietorships – guiding them on cash flow management, policies and processes, improved profitability, planning for sustainability and growth.
Ms. Tang also coaches individuals on career planning, managing workplace issues, and finding right livelihood. She possesses degrees in Business and in Education.
SolutionsBAC for business & career success ~ Getting you to where you want to be!
www.linkedin.com/in/SolutionsBAC
I cheer for Mary Tang, SolutionsBAC, all her clients and students.
Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous 2020!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
As a story theme consultant, award-winning writer, and platform-building coach for pre-published and published authors, Writing Coach TERESA JADE LEYUNG empowers her clients to identify their core themes in their manuscripts and career mapping.
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
December 28, 2019; January 25, 26, 2020
By Teresa Jade LeYung
Every year, I sponsor my Immigrant Experience Writing Contest (short stories, essays, monologues) offered through California Writers Club San Francisco Peninsula Branch and The Literary Stage at the San Mateo County Fair https://cwc-peninsula.org/the-literary-stage/. You do not have to live in California in order to enter any of the writing contests. Some contestants will enter an excerpt from a long piece of work (novels, memoirs) without investing time to rewrite the pages so that the piece would engage the reader with a beginning, middle and ending.
As a theme consultant and a writing coach, and a fan of a few television series, I have found another inspiration when teaching my clients how to show archetype-driven plotlines.
One of my favorite characters is Rhoda Morgenstern in the situational comedy (sitcom) RHODA portrayed by Valerie Harper.
One of my favorite episodes is “One Is A Number” (Season 4, Episode 4, written by Charlotte Brown). I love this episode because this is a stand-alone piece. I do not have to know the backgrounds of the characters. The script clearly shows what the main character (protagonist) wants and how she goes about getting it.
Act 1 – we see relationships, the protagonist’s personality and what she wants.
Fellow: “Rhoda, it was really nice of you to invite me to breakfast.”
Rhoda: “Gary, I did not invite you.” (with a smile)
Gary: “Well, then it was nice of you not to kick me out.”
Rhoda’s sister Brenda arrives to tell her why she can’t go out to dinner and the theatre with Rhoda tonight.
Act 2 – we see Protagonist pursuing what she wants.
Rhoda calls friends; they cannot go with her.
She asks her boss; he doesn’t like going to theatres.
She even asks Johnny Venture, the fellow she has been turning down; he cannot because he’s judging a beauty contest tonight.
Act 3 - Protagonist reveals what the real Antagonist is.
In her apartment, Rhoda paces, she picks up the theatre tickets and puts them down again.
She gets on the intercom with Carlton the doorman. She tells him why she doesn’t want to go out alone at nighttime – she fears what people could be thinking of her, how they would judge her.
Archetype: Carlton is the unexpected ally and mentor
Act 4 – Protagonist has overcome Antagonist.
At a restaurant where tea tastes like coffee (Rhoda is escaping from pouring rain), she meets:
- a taxi driver who is eating his spaghetti dinner
- an old woman named Marie who says she is a stewardess on a rocket on the Martian Space Patrol
- the waitress named Bea who says: “What are you doing out on a terrible night like this?”
Rhoda: “Tonight was a big night for me. I was trying to do something alone.”
Bea: “You married?”
Rhoda: “Divorced.”
Bea: “Sounds like you’re already doing something alone.”
Act 5 -Protagonist has been transformed.
In her apartment are her allies – her sister Brenda, Brenda’s boyfriend Benny, Gary, Johnny.
Rhoda comes home. She says: “I had a great time. It was wonderful. It’s great to go out alone, I found out. I mean, you meet terrific people…. You would have loved it….”
Her boss Jack arrives. “You’re not dead.”
Brilliant line. Rhoda is the opposite of dead.
She has realized a new life. She can go out alone and enjoy herself. She has learned to look at people. She wants to share her discovery with her sister and friends.
They want to leave.
Rhoda says: “You had to be there. I love you all, even if you didn’t get it.”
“Brenda, look at me. Have you ever seen your sister in better shape?”
After Rhoda closes the door, she reaches into her bag and pulls out Bea’s hat (souvenir from mentor archetype) and puts it on her head.
I love how sitcom character Rhoda Morgenstern shows beginning, middle, and ending through an archetype-driven plotline! Thank you, Ms. Charlotte Brown!
Cheering for all Writers and Readers!

Story Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung - photo by Mary E. Knippel, creator of Your Writing Mentor