A native son of Chicago’s West Side, John Wesley Fountain is an award-winning columnist, journalist, professor, publisher and author of True Vine: A Young Black Man’s Journey of Faith, Hope and Clarity; and Dear Dad: Reflections on Fatherhood.
A tenured full professor of journalism at Roosevelt University since 2007, he has written for the last 13 years a weekly Sunday column for the Chicago Sun-Times. As a journalist, Fountain has chronicled the story of murder for 30 years, mostly in Chicago. He was a 2021-22 Fulbright Scholar to Ghana, where taught at the University of Ghana at Legon and conducted a research project: “Africa Calling: Portraits of Black Americans Drawn to the Motherland”
He was previously a professor of journalism at his alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a graduate of Providence-St. Mel School, Chicago.
He has won numerous journalism awards over a nearly 40-year journalism career and is author of five books, including his latest, Soul Cries: In Black & White and Shades of Gray. He is a frequent guest commentator on radio and television.
He often shares his inspirational story of going from poverty and the urban mean streets of Chicago’s West Side to the top of his profession. Fountain is founder of WestSide Press Publishing, Chicago, and more recently FountainWorks NFP, a not-for-profit focused on telling the untold stories of marginalized or underrepresented people in print, digital and other forms.
His decision to become a journalist: “I chose journalism ultimately because of its power to make a difference, to shine the light on hidden corners of the world, to give voice to the voiceless, to make the invisible visible. I see this as more than a profession. It is a calling to which I am committed for as long as I have breath.”
Premadonna Braddick, MA., LPC is a License Therapist, Transformational coach, ordained minister, motivational speaker, author, and actress. She’s a prime example of overcoming nearly insurmountable circumstances. Born and raised in the foster care system in East Oakland, California from age two to eighteen years old, she spent the early years of her life dealing with depression, low self-esteem, and a poor self-image. Despite this, she was surrounded by mentors who offered guidance, wisdom, and inspiration to pursue her purpose in life; therefore, she understands the importance of mentorship. Instead of using her past as an excuse, Premadonna turned her obstacles into stepping-stones to achieve her goals and help young women and teenage girls do the same.
Through the love and support of those around her, Premadonna resolved not to allow past challenges to dictate her future or hinder her from achieving life goals. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Television, and Film with a minor in Theatre of Arts from San Jose State University. She’s also an alumna of Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, where she earned two Master of Arts degrees in marriage/family therapy and Christian counseling. She’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Tulsa Rotary Club, and former member of Kappa Phi Beta Honor Society.
Mrs. Braddick was featured in Tulsa People Magazine, and appeared on Tulsa TBN’s Praise the Lord, along with several other community radio and television talk shows. Premadonna has a Podcast talk show called Real Life, Real Talk. Mrs. Braddick received the 2018 Woman of the Year-Pinnacle Award from YWCA and Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, In 2019 the Oklahoma For Excellence award for her outstanding mentorship work with at-risk teen girls and families in the community. She also received the NBA Oklahoma City Thunder ChangeMaker award, presented to visionaries who strengthen their communities through innovation, inspiration, and empowerment and drive culture forward.
She has a passion to reach teens and women since mentors helped her to finish college and move forward to create her non-profit, Soaring Eagle’s Youth and Family Services Inc. Its mission is to help youth and families rewrite their stories, define their futures, and succeed in life by providing resources to heal intergenerational family trauma and inspire positive growth.
Her organization addresses troubled teens and family issues through counseling, mentorship, an Annual Teen Summits. She currently works as a behavioral health counselor specializing in trauma counseling, depression, anger management, and marriage counseling. In addition to her many jobs, she considers it an honor to serve as a foster mother where she has fostered several children.
Helping others renew their minds and adjust their thinking are two of several ways this passionate woman encourages others to persevere, no matter the difficulties. Leading by example, her goal is to empower youth and families to enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling life. Her motto that drives her is, “When you have a setback, don’t take a step back because God is already preparing your come back!!”
Sheri Pedigo is a talented writer, songstress, and actor who grew up in a small town in Kentucky. At the early age of 8 she started to play piano and began to write her own songs.
Her unique gift is her ability to bring words alive with soul and enthusiasm with a message of hope. She has a gift of the heart felt emotion of Karen Carpenter and then the soul and power of Tina Turner. She is powerful and authentic on stage commanding the audience and delivering her performance with the skill of a world-renowned conductor, taking you on a journey of your soul.
Sharing the stage with many iconic figures including Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo (Fifth Dimension) Country legend Randy Travis, Toto’s lead singer Bobby Kimball, and Bill Champlin (Chicago) Producer Narada Micheal Walden (Whitney Houston) as well as produced and cowritten songs and videos with Actress Dyan Cannon.
Her voice can be heard on national jingles for Coca-Cola, Kroger's, Hennessy and Pat Boone's song I Had A Dream etc.
Sheri ventured into the European market in 2009 where she cowrote the song Break Away with Swiss Rock band Gotthard’s leads singer Steve Lee. It was released on the “Need To Believe” album and charted twice triple platinum.
Sheri has given many of her professional years to great causes and has been a voice to the voiceless traveling around the world on many stages. She has also helped and instructed many young aspiring singers teaching music workshops and working with inner city schools.
Sheri served as co-producer for Saving K-9 lives which is a nonprofit organization that brings awareness to animals in need.
She has actively been involved with Actor William Shatner's Hollywood Charity Horse show in Burbank California where she has been a Main Stage performer for the events as well as singing the national anthem during Shatner's entry to the arena on horseback. Her love for horses has been her motivation to support and be a voice for the Wild Mustangs whose lives are in danger everyday out on the range.
In May 2017 Sheri was an author in the book “Redeeming the Screens” Her chapter “The flight of a butterfly is her living testament of a life of faith, overcoming fears, proof of a living God and that we are to live our lives with purpose and destiny.
She is now reaching inside and writing powerful screenplays and working with writers and producers to further this new season of her life. She has an incredible gift to bring a story to life and allow the audience into the heart and soul of a person and to feel the life and emotions of those characters.
Sheri is a member of The Screen Actors Guild, women in film BMI, ASCAP and SUISA
https://www.youtube.com/user/SheriPedigo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheripedigo/
https://www.reverbnation.com/angelwithsoul
Retired as a Police Sergeant after 23.5 years with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Now a Documentary Filmmaker producing and directing films under my Lightning Digital Entertainment banner with an emphasis on the critical issues facing Law Enforcement.