Accomplishments

2011
Wrote and published - The Essence of Wisdom and Life
2010
Wrote and published -  Before I Was Born: I Saw The World Through Your Eyes 
2009
Certificate of Excellence - Honorable Mention for poem "Dawn" by Famous Poets Institute for Advanced Poetic Studies
2007
Editor's Choice Award "Outstanding Achievement in Poetry" by The International Library of Poetry for New Beginnings
2006
Listed as one of the Top 100 Authors of the Year for 2005-2006 and Top 10 Most Popular Self-Published Author for 2005-2006 by Disilgold Publishing in New York.

Received - San Diego Public Library Local Author Award for Through The Eyes of A Foster Child: A Poetic Journey
2005
Published Through The Eyes of A Foster Child: A Poetic Journey with AuthorHouse publishers
2004
Published poem Let It Flow in San Diego Arts & Poets Magazine

Certificate of Achievement
“Honorable Mention" for Let It Flow by Poets Institute for Advanced Poetic Studies

Editor’s Choice Award “Outstanding Achievement In Poetry” by The International Society of Poets for Mirror Image

Editor’s Choice Award “Outstanding Achievement In Poetry” by The International Society of Poets for The Answer
2003
Nominated as one of the Best Poets of the year by The International Society of Poets

Special Events


2011
Guest on Gumbo for the Soul, Blogtalk Radio
2007

Yuba Community College / Health and Human Services: Guest Speaker and Book signing

2006
31st California Association of Black Social Workers Annual State Conference Workshop Presenter Topic: African American Children In The Foster Care System - Are We Preparing Them Enough for Emancipation
2005
Los Angeles, CA - Foster Care Public Hearing: Assembly member Karen Bass launched the Assembly Select Committee to address foster care.

Riverside, CA - Walden Family Services (Instructor -Terri Awoko) - Speaker for potential foster parents - Session 5/6: Strengthening Family Relationships & Discipline
2004
Co-Speaker (Mental Health and Well-Being) The San Diego Council on Literacy
I was born in 1963 in Greensboro, North Carolina and have been writing since the age of 16. I currently reside in Southern California. Through my experiences as a foster child, “a child of the system”, from the age of two to seventeen years; I recognize and understand the many challenges that a foster child endures.

Through The Eyes of a A Foster Child: a Poetic Journey is the first of several books that I plan to released.  As a result of my own experiences and witnessing those of others, my poetry and essays focuses on controversial topics that most would ignore. I can sum up my writing philosophy as "writing releases what the soul cries out for us to hear."

While writing my first book, it dawned upon me that I should create a brand that defines who I am as an individual and as a writer. Being that I've often used "Dahveed" as my pseudo name, I incorporated it with how others have viewed me; my voice and my vision. Therefore, I coined the title "Dahveed's Voice and Vision" which not only defines who I am; but what I represent to those that read my writings. 

My mission while writing my first book was to bring awareness, a new voice, and a new vision as it pertained to foster children. I believe that the lack of focus on foster children stems from the lack of information provided. Since the publication of this book, I have written articles on several websites and blogs for others to read. I write mostly for the joy of it and also because I have a voice that needs to be heard. 

As a photographer, I often prefer to use black and white film instead of digital or color.  For the book Before I Was Born: I Saw The World Through Your Eyes, I used black and white film to capture those moments which one can never recapture.