Blaq Ice, Aquil Ali, Orion Meadows

De'Andre Hawthorne AKA Blaq Ice is an Award Winning, American poet, International Spoken Word life artist, entertainer, lecturer, promoter, producer, host, videographer, graphic designer, published author, mentor and activist. The contributions of this amazing artist to American and Chicago spoken word poetry is truly Monumental. 
HISTORY MAKER
Blaq Ice is the first Hip Hop/ Spoken Word artist in Chicago to run for political office. In 2001 he ran for Alderman of the 17th Ward placing in 2nd.
Blaq Ice made history by establishing the 1st National Spoken Word Awards in 2017. This Award show is the Grammys for performing poets.
In 2021 Blaq Ice, as a member of the Black Heroes Matter Movement, was instrumental in helping to change the historic Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. This was done after 200 years of denying the honor of the black man who founded Chicago.
On April 2, 2022, he won his 8th Chicago Music Award, his 7th for best poet. He has produced and released over 30 albums and has produced over 15 albums for other artists. His poetry has been published in 9 anthologies and he just released his new book in April of this year.
THE ACTIVIST AND MENTOR
As an activist and mentor he has mentored thousands of young people in Chicago Public Schools since 1990. He has lead Peace marches on the southside and westside of Chicago against the murder and gun violence. He and his wife, Chicago's favorite Black Power Couple, visit prisons, feed and clothes the homeless.
Not only has he left an imprint in the Spoken Word Genre internationally, but he has also left his footprint in communities all across the world with his artist/activist movement P.O.E.T, inspiring thousands of ordinary people to use their gifts to do extraordinary works in their communities.Aquil Hussein Ali Bashir, deemed "The Most Interesting Man in the Hood" by radio personality Patty Jackson, was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 2, 1972 to two loving parents, Dr. Abdul M. Bashir and his late wife, Nazirah A. Bashir, the iconic power couple who brought Paramount Dental to Philadelphia, PA on 52nd Street & Master Street. Aquil grew up all over the country learning and helping his family to facilitate affordable dentures to impoverished communities, while affording them the ability to smile again.
While a student at Overbrook High School in 1988, Aquil was a Radio/TV personality on "The Way It Is" at the tender age of 15 on WDAS-AM/FM radio, working alongside radio greats such as the late "Butterball" Joe Tamberro, Jocko Henderson, Georgie Woods, Tamblin Henry, E. Steven Collins, Doug Henderson, and Patty Jackson just to name a few. He's Interviewed Smokin' Joe Frazier, Marvis Frazier, Percy Sutton of the Apollo Theater, Kool Moe Dee, Heavy D, Black Box, Toni Tony Tone, Maxi Priest, Prince, Michael Jackson, and James Earl Jones.Aquil's contributed to television credits for PHL17 Kid Time News, and also made guest appearances on BET's Teen Summit. 
At the age of 16, Aquil became the CEO of Talent Network For Teens showcasing HipHop legends like Parry P, Cool C, EST and many more. He also hosted B-Boy battles and DJ battles involving DJ Jazzy Jeff, Double Trouble, and many more. He distributed and sold VHS mixed tapes of local teenage talent that he's managed.
 In 1996, Aquil became a club owner of The Grindstone, a hot spot for Philly's elite celebrities, hustlers and athletes, subsequently writing a book on his experiences some 20 years later.
From 1998-2003, Aquil was the CEO of Frontline Security, also an armed soldier for Insomnia Security and F.O.I., protecting stars and various venues in the Tri-State area of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, providing security details for stars such as Jill Scott, Beenie