The URBAN ARTS FUSION tries to be true to its namesake, this is the first and foremost to be representative of the community and not the individual or a few select ones.
One of the core beliefs of this organization is that all people are blessed with talent; that we are all creative beings, some more demonstrative or visible than others, but that all possess the ability to create. Therefore all have something to share.
Another purpose of UAF is to reach into the community and discover hidden talent, while encouraging others to continue in their present cultural and artistic pursuits.
As the name suggest, the goal of the organization is to merge the talents, showcasing the many varied gifts and talents in the community; whether it’s writing (poetry or books), drawing, and painting, doing scripture work, inventing, public speaking, quilting or crochet work, cooking or baking.
For additional information contact
fullcirclepublishingcompany@yahoo.com
About the founder
BRYANT HAROLD MILLS
Minister, Peoples Advocate, Writer, Artist
By nature I’ve never been a conformist. Overall I guess you could say I’ve always reserved my right to question someone else’s conclusion, and I.ve always had this strong sense of ‘Fairness’ Justice. I’m a Vietnam Veteran, I served at a little outpost / airfield call Soc Trang where I’ve seen my share of ‘enemy fire’ and scary, listless days and nights. Enough said. After some extensive travel within and out of the military, I went to live and study in New York City (a little southern boy from Louisiana – almost gave my late mother a heart attack-). She survived. Nevertheless, I went. I enrolled in the Afro-American Studio for Acting and Speech in Harlem NYC. I was fortunate enough to land a job with the tech director at the studio, where I got my first lesson in ‘Innovation’. Needless to say this is where I got my first lesson in the sacrifices involved in building something Black with Black peoples. Something culturally relevant for all so called minority people. We worked in the cold many days building sets, making props and flats, doing lighting etc. And mostly with a near zero budget. But nobody complained. A lot of sacrifices went into building the Studio by many dedicated people. All the while classes went on. I graduated and was given an encouraging evaluation by the director Ernie McClintock. I went on to do several note-worthy plays ,and was fortunate enough to land a bit part in a Tri-State movie. During this span I was featured along with three charming Afro-American women with a short article and our pictures in ‘JET’ magazine.
The only way to say it is to say it. I quit acting and the theater to get involved in more direct Black activism. I still performed but at coffee houses. I did some work at Rutgers and Drew Universities in New Jersey. (One-man, one act play]. I worked at the Harlem Y.M.C.A. for a stint doing community liaison work. The work was very challenging and rewarding.
The late nineteenth sixties and early nineteenth seventies were challenging times for young black people. We were learning what it meant to Be Black -those of us who chose to do so-, discovering self-worth, self-identity. A lot of artist were learning the power of words, some of us crossed path, encouraged others, learned from association. I crossed paths with many dedicated people. I was privileged to spend some quality time with the late great playwright-director Joe Walker (The River Niger) and his wife Dottie (as we called her). I learned a lot from Joe. I left New York, got married, went back to New York authored a newsletter ‘The Rising Sun’ with the help of my wife published it and distributed it in the city. Mostly on the upper west side eventually, after my son was born we left NY and started a new chapter in our lives in Oakland, Ca. No regrets. My wife and I, our newborn baby and our stepson had some memorable times in The BIG APPLE. After a period of adjustment we finally settled into California, I got a job as a cab driver and second job as a part time janitor. My wife became a secretary and later a city employee. I attended Merritt College for a while, I enjoyed it. However I must admit my strong convictions in Black advocacy made it very hard to fit into certain jobs. However we joined a church and I dove into the scriptures as diligently as I’d done everything else and eventually became a licensed and Ordained Minister. My wife and I founded a little storefront church in downtown Merced, CA where I served as interim pastor. It was eye opening, we helped some people and gave our all. After a while we closed it down and joined New Life Assembly Church where I worked with as Assistant Pastor for many years. In 2016 I founded Urban Arts Fusion in Stockton, CA. With the help of my wife and family members we put on our first artistic and cultural event at the Stockton alliance with a lot of exuberance and moderate success. Every year since we’ve done greater things, met some fabulous people and organizations and are full of enthusiasm for the future.
Peace, blessings and prosperity to all.