Sista C - Author, Dramatic Poet, Producer

Creative, Dramatic, Dynamic - These are the words fans use most often to describe Charlotte Sista C Ferrell's remarkable poetry. Her rhythmic spoken verses are infused with gospel, jazz, blues and Caribbean music, or vocal riffs, creating sensational WordBeat™ poetry. She has evolved from a tentative coffeehouse poet into a superb performance artist, frequently booked for programs based on her poetic self-help book, "From Pillows to Pillars", or, "Just For You~Jazzy Spoken Word", a CD of inspirational poetry with contemporary jazz.

Born in Kansas, Ms. Ferrell has been writing poetry since childhood. After focusing on nutrition, mass media and urban studies to complete B.S. and M.A. degrees at Wayne State University, she increasingly replaced creative writing "from the heart", with writing food, nutrition and lifestyle articles for newspapers, magazines, journals and advertising agencies. As a Registered Dietitian, her creative efforts shifted "upward" to producing educational resources. Poetry writing emerged as a healing modality following a car crash in 1989 that disrupted her traditional health career and launched a seven year exploration of herbal, homeopathic and cultural arts healing modalities. As she healed, Sista C emerged as a practitioner, using poetry, docudrama and journaling to achieve positive outcomes with people in recovery from physical, chemical and emotional ailments.

"You Can't Have My Son", "Lord Please Hug the Children" and "Paying Tribute to Your Spirit, Mama" are among Ms. Ferrell's poems receiving awards and/or publication by: the National Library of Poetry; Soulvisions Front Line Poets; Sparrowgrass Poetry Awards; LA Times City News; Kansas City Star; San Francisco Cin(E)-poetry festival; and the National Poetry Therapy Association Anthology. She is listed in Who's Who of Executives and Professionals; Who's Who of International Entrepreneurs; the International Poetry Hall of Fame; and Distinguished Poets Society.

She is the founding director of Mustardseed Ministries Internat'l E.D.C. Inc., a faith-based, creative arts and health-oriented organization that produces monthly performance arts events. She served as a legislative advocate and "Community Ambassador" for the American Cancer Society, and is a volunteer speaker or host for cancer awareness events. An 11-year, part-time faculty member at University of Phoenix's southern California campuses, Ms. Ferrell teaches health, nutrition, natural science and communication courses. She also writes and reviews scripts, or audio-visual resources, about food, food safety, health and nutrition topics for American and Canadian academic institutions and commercial media.

Ms. Ferrell is passionate about engaging her audiences as she performs poetry and facilitates group activities to encourage their self expression. She creates dramatic poetry tributes or stories for weddings, business launches, reunions and other celebrations. She also customizes creative arts workshops for groups ranging from churches to cruise ships. One of her specialties is getting children to create poems and vision boards.

As a volunteer for KUUMBA, a creative arts school founded by Rickie Byars Beckwith; KidStuff (Culver-Palms UMC); and Agape Family and Youth ministries, she regularly involves children in these activities.