Meet Conney Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Conney Williams.

Hi Conney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Before I moved to Los Angeles in 1981, I lived my hometown of Shreveport, LA. Number six of eleven children, I joined the Air Force in March 1975 and was stationed at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA, which happens to be adjacent to Shreveport. I was a firemen and spent my entire enlistment there. While there, I started djing parties and eventually starting working professionally as a dj in clubs and later on area radio stations.

After a failed relationship, I moved to Los Angeles in November 1981 to an area called the “Jungle” which is the lower Baldwin Hills area. I joined a local church and became a Pentecostal minister for many years; during which time I released a Christian rap tape entitled “L.I.F.E. in 1985. The church organization (Church of God in Christ) that I was affiliated with rejected it. So I began to write about subjects other than Christianity and years later found myself just a few blocks away in Leimert Park at The World Stage. 

It was there I became not just a poet but the poet I’ve always desired to become. I’ve been a part of the Los Angeles poetry landscape for over 20 years. I have two collections of poetry, Leaves of Spilled Spirit from an Untamed Poet (2002) and Blues Red Soul Falsetto (2012). My latest book of poems (The Distance of Observation) will be released in April 2021 on World Stage Press, which I helped to found with Hiram Sims. I’m the former Artistic Director at The World Stage and facilitator of the Anansi Writers Workshop. In 2015, I released two cds of poetry accompanied by music, River & Moan and Unsettled Water. I’ve had the opportunity to curate and host poetry venues across Los Angeles. My poetry has been published journals, anthologies, magazines and other print media. I’ve performed my poetry across the country at various venues including radio, television, and universities.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t believe it’s ever a smooth road to anything that’s meaningful in your life. The struggles are many in the writing community starting with limited access because of race and/or not having certain credentials behind your name. There are always challenges to being accepted and appreciated across racial and academic parameters. There’s also the challenge of being true to you and not compromising just to get access to certain people or compensation. I believe that there has been acceptance in many quarters but there are still challenges to break through certain ceilings that still exist only because of lack of opportunities,

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a poet and if I’m known for anything, I believe it’s because people know that when they hear me, I’m being honest with them. My poetry is personal and expresses my heart, ideology, faith, vision, and depth of humanity. One thing that a dear friend told me years ago is that I’m a poet/human being who is willing to own his own shit; good, bad, indifferent. I don’t write any one type of poetry; what you hear from me will be what I truly believe in. I’m proud of the reputation I’ve carved out in the Los Angeles Literary community as a poet/activist. You will not hear another Conney Williams anywhere; I don’t believe I’ve ever heard someone say that you sound like so and so. I believe the way that I express my poetic experience is uniquely me, vulnerable and honest to a fault. I’m proud of my contributions to the community; I’ve worked on probably every festival in Leimert Part as a poetry coordinator. I’ve worked on many projects with visual artists. And I’m always looking for new and more revealing ways to express my view of this world.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I do believe that luck is always involved in the trajectory of anyone’s life/career; the right time and place; meeting the right people who can help elevate your career and journey. But to what end? Is your goal fame and fortune or integrity, happiness, or peace?  Now I will say that I do believe that both can exist at the same time. But if the fame and fortune doesn’t happen, it doesn’t diminish the journey and good luck (fortune) to have good people in your life that help you along your journey; not necessarily to help you achieve fame and fortune; but they bring joy to this world and the journey we’re all on and sometimes to just get through the day. Would I love to have more fortune & fame, yes it would be nice; and though I have not achieved world renown, I realize how fortunate I am in this journey of mine; personally and artistically.

Pricing:

• CDs $10

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: dredconney
• Facebook: conney williams
• Twitter: @Dredcon
• Youtube: conney williams

Image Credits
Alexis Rhone Fancher (both photos)