User:EvaMKing/Eva Marie King, MS

My name is Eva Marie King and I was born on August 11, 1965 at 11:40 am in the “Old Lincoln Hospital” in the South Bronx, New York. I spent my formative and early teenage years growing up in the African-American middle-class town of Jamaica Queens, New York with my five older siblings and parents. Due to a house fire in my mid-teens at my childhood home my mother, who was now a single parent, moved the family to South Jamaica Queens where The King family still maintains a residence. I currently reside in Trenton, New Jersey where I am conducting extensive research to pursue my PhD in Media Studies at Rutgers University in the fall of 2010.

I was first exposed to the art form of deejaying on Saturday, January 29, 1973 by DJ Rob of Bad Ass Disco (B.A.D.) at my eldest sister Katherine‟s sweet sixteen birthday celebration. This experience ultimately shaped my life and laid the foundation for my career as a Volunteer Media and Public Relations Specialist, Hip-Hop Activist and Community Organizer.

I am professionally known as Rockaway‟s Finest, MS and affectionately referred to as “Sister Eva” throughout the hip-hop community. As a preteen and teenager I spent many weekends and holidays from 1976 to 1983 at the Bronx home of my former Queens homegirl Spicy Shirl. Spicy lived with her family at 1460 Bronx River Avenue in the Bronx River Houses which is in the South Bronx, NY

Spicy and I attended many Zulu Nation sponsored „center jams‟ at the Bronx River Community Center where we had good-clean fun and became part of the hip-hop movement which is rooted in peace, love and unity. The most memorable “center jams” for me was when Sha-Rock of the Funky Four plus one more performed. Sha-Rock‟s performances had a profound effect on my career as a Hip-Hop artist, as her devastating lyrical skills taught me how to be an exceptional unique female emcee.

I am the Founder and Chairwoman of “Children of the Most High God” Youth Organization International and Rockaway‟s Finest Media International both companies are based in South Jamaica Queens, New York. These companies were formed in direct response to the elders call at the October 16, 1995 Million Man March for everyone to go back to their communities and organize.

I am a Volunteer Media and Public Relations Specialist, which includes media and public relations writing, consultation and training. I hold a Bachelors of Arts in Communications with concentrations in Radio, Television and Interpersonal Communications and a Master‟s of Science in Communications Studies with concentrations in Public Relations and Corporate Video Production both from The College of New Rochelle. Past careers for me include international banking, law enforcement and international education.

In March 2003, a high point in my career came when I volunteered to perform on a public relations team for the Harlem YMCA 33rd Annual National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry in which Oprah Winfrey was the keynote speaker.

A few of my internships include working as a Research and Production Assistant on the Connie Chung Tonight Show at CNN (Cable Network News) in New York City. Another exciting internship was at BronxNet Television which is on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx, NY where I worked as a Production Assistant.

In September 2009 I performed a Photographic and Video Internship at Café International in Downtown Trenton, New Jersey and I contributed many artistic photographs to their website message board. On October 14, 2009 I launched Café International Conscious Records, Hip-Hop Models, Hip-Hop Dance Company, Media, Internship, Mentorship, and Volunteer Programs which will be developed, owned and operated by at-risk youth who reside in Trenton, NJ under my mentorship and guidance.

My formal training and career experience have proven to be vital assets in navigating my way through the world. However, the most important title that I hold is Hip-Hop Emcee, as it embodies me the mother, sister, friend, mentor and entrepreneur.