Happy New Year, Many Thanks And Aiming to Thrive In 2025
'While awards and notable mentions are great, the greatest award I could ever receive is your continued support and faith in me as an independent writer and publisher. I am deeply grateful.'
Dear Valued Subscriber,
Happy New Year! This story is once again a story about you. I want to thank you specifically for joining the “50 Cent A Word Substack” family. It has been two years since I began this journey in which you decided to join me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As founder, I am elated that you have chosen to continue following my writing. Your support –financial or simply by reading and sharing my posts with others—means the world to me. It tells me that you value my work and commitment to telling human stories and to truth, as well as the uniqueness of my voice and perspective.
By the way, 2024 was indeed another award-winning year. I received a first place Salute To Excellence Award in column writing from the National Association of Black Journalists, for “Life As A Shadow” in the small newspaper category. I was also a finalist for Chicago Headline Peter Lisagor Award for Best Online Feature Reporting Single Story on 50 Cent A Word Substack; “Journey To My Alma Mater”
Also, in October 2024, my work was spotlighted at the Fulbright’s World at a Crossroads 47th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., in a poster presentation: “Africa Calling: Portraits of Ghana – A Fulbright Scholar’s Journey.” The presentation was an interactive multimedia exhibit, featuring photos, video, and abridged narratives of life in the first West African nation to gain independence from colonialism, and an immersive window into my year as a 2021-22 as scholar to Ghana. More exciting news on that in a moment!
While awards and notable mentions are great, however, the greatest award I could ever receive is your continued support and faith in me as an independent writer and publisher. Please know that I do not take the investment of your time and your commitment as a reader for granted. You are the wind beneath my wings. Proof that there are still those who value this craft called writing and its practitioners who labor not for money, but for the joy of this calling and the chance to make a difference.
Last year was a great year. But I am excited for 2025 and plans to increase the amount and breadth of our storytelling. Last fall, we launched the FountainWorks website and also Unforgotten Bureau Substack, which features the work of up-and-coming as well as established writers as a platform for diverse voices and stories often missed by the Mainstream American Press. I am equally excited about the opportunity to continue to write my column and to produce occasional special projects as long-form narratives with multimedia features, including photos and video.
We’re ecstatic about other FountainWorks news: the forthcoming launch of a podcast; the release later this year of a spoken word album; the publication of my latest book, “50 Cent A Word: Diary of A Freed Black Journalist” (Summer 2025); and the official launch of my full “Portraits of Ghana” exhibit, which will include an interactive gallery of stand-alone (life-size) photographs and presentation that seeks to bring an engaging and inspirational experience of Africa to America. I’m so excited! Stay tuned.
I also want to say a very special thanks to all of our paid subscribers and especially our founding members. Your financial commitment supports not only my writing but also enables my reporting, and, frankly, my sustainability as an independent journalistic voice. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. More than words can express, I am grateful.
I pray my note finds you well and in good spirits. Happy New Year to you and your family! Again, thank you so much for your continued support.
Peace & Blessings.
Sincerely,
JOHN
NOTE: Just fyi, FountainWorks is the umbrella for our online publishing arm and home to FountainWorks NFP, a federally tax-exempt not-for-profit organization focused on telling the untold stories of marginalized or underrepresented people.
