About Me

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C A Lofton is  an African-American Urban Poet, writer and lyricist (Pop, R&B, Gospel). She is respected as an established Transitional Celebrant. She is  chiefly noted for her commissioned elegies and celebratory poetry noting life's benchmarks.  Ms. Lofton is the author of

 African-American Guide to Prosperity

She has written several award-winning, culturally-centered poems and short stories. Ms. Lofton holds an earned B.A. in English and professional Certificates in Counseling as well as Publishing. She was formerly a Foundational Studies instructor of Writing, Reading and Reading & Critical Thinking for Dist. # 508, City Colleges of Chicago.

Growing up in a child-centered family that valued and supported  the arts was paramount to Ms. Lofton's  artistic development. Initially  emboldened by the love of words, a cursory interest in art and  a deep multi-generational appreciation of books and music, C A quickly developed a flair for dramatic expressions. As a child with the assistance of her twin-sister, Carole  she initiated monthly puppet shows.  Limited seating, Saturday  Matinees tickets were sold. The venue: the 2nd pallor in her Maternal Grand Daddy Reams' large extended- family 'big house' . These shows  always featured her prized Howdy Doody, Clarabell and Flub-A-Dub Marionettes. Discouraged by family-member audiences refusal to pay a nominal .05¢ fee for these grand theatrical productions C A's budding interest as a play write soon waned.

 In the big house, an Elder's leisure time was spent socializing in the kitchen. They  spent countless hours swapping lies  about growing up in the South. Their children, the Grown-ups gathered in the dinning room playing various types of card games or Checkers on the big extra-leaf dinning-table. Their children, the grandchildren occupied the 2nd pallor. Coloring books, drawing paper, jigsaw puzzles, and board games .i.e. Scrabble and Monopoly were always available as sources of youngster's entertainment. Coloring and drawing quickly became Ms. Lofton's favorite activities. They sparked interest in the visual arts and  new creative energies were awakened.  Thereafter, happiness was regular visits to The Art Institute of Chicago and  anticipating bigger boxes of Crayola and winning numerous drawing contest  Then  the bummer came when her Mother said, "No, we are not putting lion statuettes on my Papa's porch!  And yes, you must learn to color inside the lines." 

Next came music. C A grew up in a rich musical environment. Her maternal Grandfather played the organ and his wife, her beloved, storyteller/writing Grandmother was acclaimed as a 'true alto'. and also taught  piano lessons. She was credited  with having begun Coppin Memorial A.M.E.'s 1st choirs program . Coppin's Music Ministry  became known and respected for its professionalism  under the direction of such champions of  choral excellence as Alethea Baham, Irvin Bunton and Lena McLin.  Ms. Lofton's father  played the violin and as a signer was often liken to popular crooner Bing Crosby. Her multi-talented mother and  piano classmate, composer, arranger Margaret Bonds  often encouraged each other in  piano practices. This childhood musical association was another catalyst  which also nurtured an appreciation and proclivity for Classical, Jazz and Gospel Music in their children. Her mother also sang in the Senior Church Choir and conducted the Youth Choir of the family's primary A.M.E. , Church-Coppin Chapel Memorial. C A eagerly  participated in impromptu singing rounds, but was more attentive to the words in the songs than to the melodies. Despite piano lessons, guitar lessons and numerous choir memberships under the direction of  Coppin Chapel's two stellar Ministers of Music she continued to struggle with carrying a tune. Gone was the aspiration to become a singer/guitarist like Sis Rosetta Tharpe.  Neither Godmother, Althea F. Baham nor Rev. Dr. Lena Mc Lin  could substitute enthusiasm for inadequate  musical talent. Loving the sound of music is not a quick fix for amusia. 

No matter the artistic machinations, her affair with words remained constant. Her love of words had been growing exponentially. Dictionary, thesaurus and writing composition courses excited her. Writing had become her major art form. Words and phrases woke her and put her to sleep. Words  became her pillow.  It was stuffed full of  life experiences, idioms, mentoring writers, educators and publisher that supported her artistic expressions.  Over the course of her writing career, Ms. Lofton has attained numerous accolades for writing in America and abroad. She is a former IL. Arts Council's Artist-in-Resident fellow and  former Chicago Council on Fine Arts fellow.  C A Lofton was an early inductee (1976) as a Poet into the Directory of American Poets & Writers. Renowned as an engaging teaching artist, she has lectured in both public and private sector venues. Today, C A's creative works are divided between writing fiction, lyrics and poetry.  Currently, Ms. Lofton resides in Chicago, IL and unabashedly loves all things South-side. 

Deeply influenced by the tutelage of her linguist instructor at Roosevelt University,

Dr. Lorenzo Dow Turner, she  became dedicated to the celebration and preservation of this unique ancestral gem. The invaluable mentorship of Dr. Turner led to an affirming culturally-based appreciation of my familial roots. Today, C A Lofton proudly embraces the cultural specific language, dance, song, West-African influenced cuisine and sustainable diet of the Gullah-Gee Chee Nation. Ms. Lofton fervently believes in the consistent utilization of various self-cultivating activities that  empower and continually enhance optimum creative growth as well as mind, body and spiritual health.

 Her rejuvenating resources are listening to music, affirmative meditating, reading, studying African-American History, African Diaspora Culinary History, playing word games and Gin Rummy, Ms. Lofton is dedicated to acquiring pro-active life style skills conducive to longevity and well-being. In addition to schedule visits and/or consultations with her PHCP . Her self-care regiment also includes Ayurvedic oil pulling and sipping solarized water throughout the day.  She's recently adopted healthier eating habits like adding turmeric to her diet (https://www.parkinsonresources.org).  . C A  enjoys practicing Tai Chi -Qigong and preparing Low Country traditional farm-to-table dishes for those she cherishes "cause I be Gee Chee" too.

Ms. Lofton acknowledges her faith-based foundations as an A.M.E. and as a Quaker by Convincement. Additionally, she is an unwavering proponent of Positive Thinking and the utilization of relevant metaphysical empowerment tools. She cites her CPS's Betsy Ross Elem./ Coppin A.M.E. Sunday School teacher, Leo F. Sparks, her sister, Lilliard A. Thomas, J.C.I. instructor, Joe E. Hill and J.C.I. classes for enlightenments regarding the power of  one's thoughts. She credits  Rev. Dr. Della Reese Lett and the pastoral guidance of Rev. Joseph Lawrence Roberts Sr., Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon  and Rev. Dr. Lena McLin for her awareness as a spiritual being. It is  her ardent belief that our subconscious thoughts always emboldens our reality. She is firmly rooted in the concept that personal empowerment is naturally assisted by utilizing the curative powers of positive thinking.  Moreover, she  believes that this awesome, transformative modality is essential to the expansion of human potential. Ms. Lofton's life-long commitment to social justice  was informed by the writings of Brenda Eichelberger, Bayard Ruskin, , W. E. B. DuBois, Howard Thurman and her childhood  association with James Forman.

 Ms. Lofton wholeheartedly endorses a personal commitment to metaphysical, nutritional and physical regiments that support total well-being for all of her readers. Her mantra, 'Once you come to realize that your thoughts inform your reality, you know that your destiny is truly in your own hands. And once you adopt a new mindset your life changes, your identity changes and your future changes'.  Accept your highest good by utilizing an awesome proven catalyst for change for all who wish to prosper. Order your prosperity primer today and begin your journey towards a lifetime of empowerment in the areas of health, wealth and happiness.