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Author / Certified Tai Chi InstructorOdie Hawkins was encouraged by Alex Haley in the 1980's when he told Norman Lear, "I think Odie Hawkins is a very talented writer, a brilliant storyteller. He deserves a wider audience." Odie Hawkins, working with Alex Haley, wrote the teleplay for "Old Sister". S. Pearl Sharp as Saundra Sharp, wrote the story. "Old Sister" aired on CBS in the Palmerstown television drama series. Norman Lear and Alex Haley, based the series on their own childhoods. (imdb.com/title/ tt0668946/). Invigorated by Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Budd Schulberg, Louise Meriwether, John W. Bloch, Al Jenner, Robert Lewin, Harlan Ellison and Professor Justin Gifford, Odie Hawkins continues to write. We hear his love for stories in his radio plays (archive.org/ details/ OTRR_Sears_Radio_Theater_Singles).We acknowledge his diverse experiences in documentaries - "Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp" (Director Jorge Hinojosa) and "Burn Motherf*cker Burn" (by Sacha Jenkins). Facebook and YouTube provide more insight on this talented author, musician, and actor.Odie Hawkins has been given the title, "The Underground Master", by a loyal constituency who have followed his career through his thirty-two novels, short story collections, essays, television scripts, radio and film scripts. He takes pride in being the originator of the Pan- African Occult genre, as exemplified by "The Snake, 20/ 20", "Shackles Across Time" and "The Snake Doctor".He was one of the original members of the famed Watts Writers Workshop, established by Budd Schulberg, in the wake of the Watts Rebellion, 1965; and the Open Door Program, created by the Writers Guild of America, West, Inc. Louise Meriwether, John W. Bloch, Al Jenner, Robert Lewin, Harlan Ellison and Budd Schulberg, instructors. "Ghetto Sketches", his first published novel, was on the required reading list - May 2010 - Professor Justin Gifford; University of Nevada, Reno, Department of English. Mr. Hawkins has also recently published books of Socio- Science fiction: "Lady Bliss" (with co-author Ralph Vernon), and "Mr. Bonobo Bliss aka Bo".Mr. Odie Hawkins' current projects are: "A Story Teller's Tale", an update on "The Chicago Sista" and political satire.odiehawkins.com linkedin.com/in/ odie-hawkins-044633a/facebook.com/odie.hawkins