Antioch poet hosts new TV show at the Maritime Academy
- By PAULA KING | Correspondent
- Apr 17, 2018
- 2 min read
ANTIOCH — Like most artists and creative-minded individuals, Antioch theatrical poet Luella Hill-Dudley was once afraid of rejection, but it was her mentors who motivated her to face her fears.
“Finally, I did my first poem and got a standing ovation,” Hill-Dudley said of her initial open mic experience. “At my performances, people are blown away.”
Now Hill-Dudley leads a tribe of talented artists as a mentor and publisher herself and she is reaching a broader audience by hosting a TV show. The “It’s Luella Talk Show” is being filmed at Vallejo’s California State University Maritime Academy.
Since its recent debut, the talk show has featured Emmy Award-winning actor for a short form comedy or drama series, Kim Estes of “Dicks,” and the director, producer and main cast of “Choco’late Soldiers,” a future documentary about 140,000 African-American soldiers.
“When I’m walking around in Vallejo, people approach me with great feedback on the show,” said Hill-Dudley of her show, which airs on community access television around the Bay Area and is usually on Channel 27.
Hill-Dudley’s mentoring journey began in 2012 when she founded her company, Sistahs With Ink Foundation, and followed that with Brothas With Ink. She publishes and coaches writers like herself and launches creative projects and marketing initiatives for them to gain exposure.
Last month, author Debo Richards held a book signing for her new book, “Songs of Redemption,” at Pittsburg’s Railroad Book Depot. Richards said that as her publisher, Hill-Dudley inspired her to share spiritual poems with Biblical references after writing them for most of her adult life.
“She (Hill-Dudley) did a great job and everyone loves my book. It is full of hope and encouragement,” Richards said. “She (Hill-Dudley) is a very energetic woman.”
According to Richards, Hill-Dudley gave her effective deadlines and guidelines that she needed for her book project. Now, Richards said she has the confidence to tackle a second book.
Another client of Hill-Dudley is former Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Mike Norris, who produced a book titled “Blackballed Twice” last spring and she is in contract with him to create a children’s book next.
“I helped a 75-year-old woman who wanted to publish a book for 40 years,” said Hill-Dudley. “Some people feel it is impossible because of their situation and usually that is financial. They have to be ready.”
In addition to helping them network with fellow writers and artists, Hill-Dudley assists up-and-coming artists by setting clear expectations, helping new authors with book trailers and sharing the stage with them at local venues like Antioch’s Barnes and Noble or Railroad Book Depot.
“I have received so many blessings that I love to inspire people to get up and do something for their dreams,” she said.
FYI
For more information on the “It’s Luella Talk Show,” visit www.sistahswithink.com, www.facebook.com/groups/ sistahswithink, www.facebook.com/groups/Brothaswithink or www.blogtalkradio.com/sistahswithink.
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