We're back with Cordney "MAC Woods" McClain for another invigorating investigation of the inspiration that fuels the aspirations of our craft.

Meet the poet- Cordney "MAC Woods" McClain is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. Aside from his undergraduate and master’s degrees in business, Cordney holds multiple certifications in areas such as financial literacy, diversity and inclusion, and project management, but his passion is primarily community outreach. He has over a decade of mentorship and professional development experience; has held diversity education chairs in the corporate arena; consults companies and universities in the realms of diversity and inclusion; and also sits on the board of committees for the University of Central Oklahoma’s Black Male Initiative, and the STARR Foundation for the Metro Technology Center of Oklahoma City (Springlake campus). Cordney is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, an Oklahoma Army National Guard veteran, the official spoken word artist for the Oklahoma Police Department’s juvenile outreach program, and co-operator of the annual Youth Boys Life Camp hosted by Give a Lil Foundation.

Professional accolades aside, Cordney has recently begun an acting career having been featured in 2019 in two Oklahoma City produced films, Girl Dads by Concepts Productions highlighting Black fatherhood; and Black Wall Street Burning, a film that highlights the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre, produced by Notis Studios. Cordney, also a performance spoken word artist, author and recording artist (album and book - "Blacker Than Shakespeare’s Ink"), crafts zealous yet eloquent messages designed to inspire, evoke emotion, and present visions, while giving a front row view of his personal narratives on race relations, class, religion, and personal evolution. He is also an immensely supportive husband to Mrs. Carrie McClain, and proud father of two princesses, Kimora Monáe and Camílla Justice.

Reach the poet- IG: mac_since1985 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordney-mcclain-mba-he-him-his-49a33123 Website: macwoodsink.com IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11328238/?fbclid=IwAR1hM0MbsBqe_WbTG04Z5EBS-TaBOASZ7ntADH6THEbS1FD2jEb0yFZM9Hs

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We sit down with Ryan "Phokus Mind" Pollard for a discussion of therapeutic power of the pen. 

Meet the poet-  Phokus Mind is an Oklahoma City native, raised in Spencer, OK. Known for starting StayPhokus Productions in 2005, he is a musician, musical artist, and, last but not least, a spoken word performer. Over the past several years, his spoken word career has accelerated rapidly, allowing him opportunities to perform in multiple venues in his home city of OKCl surrounding cities such as Tulsa, Lawton, and Norman; and also as far away as Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth, TX. He has contributed to countless community projects for his city and its youth and has been seen on local news and television. He desires to use his poetry to spread awareness of the issues surrounding abuse and mental illness.  

Reach the poet- FB:Ryan PhokusMind Pollard IG: ryan.phokus_mind  

Follow The Bear's Den -  IG: @the_bears_den_poetry_podcast YouTube: The Bear's Den Poetry Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybqIwr-3VZiqCFnatbOKMg  

Bear's books and merch -  www.inkthinkpress.com

Support the Bear - CashApp: $Bearism