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In 2005 after a bad breakup, Todd started writing poetry and making music to occupy his time.
In 2007, Todd decided to move to Chicago to pursue a music production degree at the Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg (ILIS).
However, after being introduced to video-in an Audio & Video Production class, he decided to pursue a video degree instead. In 2011 He graduated with honors from ILIS with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production.
After his daughter’s tragic death in 2018 from a car accident three weeks before he finished his Master's degree. He revisited writing and making music as a means to cope with the loss of his daughter. As a result, "WHO AM I" was born.
Todd is currently working as a school counselor, as well as a girl’s sprint coach in Omaha Nebraska.
His 23 years as a hair stylist and 9 years in the education profession, provides him with firsthand experience in how relationships-negative or positive impact the lives of our children. Our children, who eventually become adults, who eventually have children of their own. Todd hopes that his writings will plant the seed that helps blot out the psychological damage that has been passed on from generation to generation.
TO READ THE FULL BIO GOT: williamfredrick1965.com
Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite
Who Am I: A Poetic Journey by William Fredrick is a poetic journey through the life of an African American man on a quest for love in all its forms, from family love to self-love to love of knowledge and beyond. But along the way he encounters hard truths like racism, a broken heart, deceit, and death, and a myriad of experiences and emotions: all that shape who he is. The purpose is to shed light on what it's like to be an African American and still thrive, love, and succeed in the face of adversity and hate.
This volume of poetry helps readers to see the effect racism has on one African American man named Todd William Fredrick Hunter, which tells us that the effects of racism can be seen in almost all aspects of our society. It's about a man trying to live up to the character he knows he is inside. You will feel the grit, heartbreak, cruelty, and sadness that the author encounters as you read. The writing is tough but lyrical, with a clever play on words in many places and a dash of humor now and then. This work can also be read as prose. Although we can never really know unless we experience it first-hand, these slice-of-life observations are what we need to see and perhaps feel what it's like to be a target of racism. I like the part where he talks about going to therapy as this can help destigmatize it and invite others to engage in it.
The dark passages in the book are balanced by lighter ones that talk about romance, love, family, and overcoming. The part on personal loss is especially moving, and by the end, you will feel that victory is possible, no matter what lies ahead in life. The best books are often the ones with great takeaways, and this book has plenty of them. So if you're looking for poetic prose with layers of meaning and good messages, Who Am I: A Poetic Journey by William Fredrick is a perfect choice.
