With The Poise of Runway Models: Ghana's 'Madam Queens'

"Madam Queen"

Strong Black sister

Madam Queen

Carrying the weight

of the world

Beneath blazing African sun

Head lifted high

Back straight

Baby in tow

Wrapped in African cloth

Staring off

Into the haze

Of traffic

And this pressing crush of humanity

Without vanity

Africa Calling: "Soweto Freedom Song"

Scenes from South Africa set to the music of the Regina Mundi Youth Choir recorded live at the Regina Mundi Church by John W. Fountain while on assignment in South Africa.

Fountain Speaks on Poetry: "Let It Flow"

Please join Roosevelt University Professor John W. Fountain this Wednesday at 7 a.m Central Time for presentation live U.S. Embassy, Accra, Ghana American Spaces via its Facebook page

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African-American Association of Ghana: Celebration "Black OurStory Month"

On Feb. 12, 2022, the African-American Association of Ghana, or AAAG, presented the “Black OurStory Month” program in commemoration of Black History Month, founded by Carter G. Woodson. AAAG is a community of African-Americans living in Ghana who have determined the need to establish a permanent means to promote our cultural, social, spiritual and economic wellbeing and reintegration into Ghanaian society.

Fishermen off the coast of Ghana guide their canoe to the shore. (Photo: John W. Fountain)

I still do not understand

Have yet to comprehend

Her beauty

Her hold upon

The soul

That breathes her in

With heaping inhalations

Her winds

In deep denominations

Of heat

and Cool

Her tranquil pools

Along rock-laden, sandy ocean shores

Where waves crash & roar

Remembering My Lil Cousin; Filled With Grief and Questions

William D’Chaun Lockhart, John W. Fountain’s cousin

By John W. Fountain

ACCRA, Ghana — I was here in Ghana when the news about my lil’’ cousin D’Chaun came. Months later, I am still staggering, lost somewhere between grief and anger in this cloud of death and uncertainty that has unsettled our lives since the pandemic.

These feelings find, swarm, overshadow me, even on Easter Sunday, despite my corner here in this sun-splashed West African paradise as the ocean’s waves crash and the wind blows through the branches of coconut and palm trees. I should be in a tranquil state of mind. But I am in an emotional No-Man’s Land, wrestling with my duo reality of life and death.

“We lost Chaun about 2:00 this morning,” read the text message Dec. 21, at 12:26 p.m. Ghana time (6:26 a.m. in Chicago) and four days before Christmas from his mother, Donna, my first cousin who growing up was more like a sister. “No phone calls right now, just pray for my strength.”

I texted back: “I’m so so so sorry.”

We lost Chaun…