Biography
Born near the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Mt. Airy, North Carolina—a town known by many as the hometown of actor Andy Griffith, and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry highlighted in The Andy Griffith Show—Chip Williford, the son of a Pentecostal minister and a former preschool teacher turned homemaker, grew up in geographic locations across America, including South Carolina, Ohio and New York due to his father’s work in ministry. A kind gentleman with strong doses of honor, integrity and humor, Chip learned hard work, innovation, perseverance, fortitude, strength, and love for the community from his parents.
At the age of twenty one, Chip moved all the way to Northern California, It was in Oakland where he and two friends, in 1984, started a business called Marvelous Productions Promotions through which they developed a show named, “Let’s Talk.” hosted by one of his mentors, Minister ElTyna Dixon-McCree. Their first guest was none other than American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer, Lou Rawls—who creatively developed the Lou Rawls’ Parade of Stars Telethon in 1980 and has since raised over $200 million through the show. From there, Chip went on to produce another show, for the next two and a half years called “30 Marvelous Minutes” because as their catch phrase stated, “Because Every Minute Counts.” It tackled difficult and heartfelt subjects such as drug addiction, AIDS, homelessness, Habitat for Humanity and community concerns, as well as concerts, and entertainment in the community.
Fast Forward:
A photographer, videographer, filmmaker, documentarian, family historian, researcher, and writer of prose, poetry and short stories, Chip is Director and Co-host Poetry Street “the room without a roof, where every voice is heard”, ( www.poetrystreetontheroad.com ) with Co-host Maggie Bloomfield, which was founded by Susan Dingle and Robert “Bubbie Brown” as part of the East End Arts’ JumpstART program. He has co-produced and filmed the YouTube Series “Poetry Street on The Road,” and is featured on YouTube on “America, Please Learn From The Scars Of History”. He produced and co-directed, “Bohemia, Then and Now,” an educational historical documentary that was internationally recognized and also viewed by Bohemian American citizens along with the Bohemian Ambassador at the National Hall Bohemia Embassy in New York City following a full house premiere and red carpet reception at The Bohemia Historical Society Museum.
Chip Williford’s technical and production experience spans years working with Chew Entertainment on several Annual BET Honors, Night Of Inspiration Concerts, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument dedication and other monumental events, award shows and concerts such as the Apollo Gala and Showtime At The Apollo. His freelance production work also includes the 60th Grammy’s, Musique Concerts at at several venues including the Van Nostrand Performance Arts Center, and the St George Theater. He filmed and interviewed honorees and celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 47th Annual Audelco Awards for Excellence in Black Theater at The Tribeca Performance Arts Center, most recently he was Stage Manager at the Legends of Vinyl Music Hall of Fame Awards.
It is clear that Chip is well known in the arts industry and is even sought after as it is said that he is professional, candid, unbiased
Chip Williford is Director and Co-host of Poetry Street, a writer of prose, poetry, and short stories, a videographer, filmmaker, documentarian, family historian, researcher, a good listener, and a relatable storyteller.
He is more than a mentor to the young people who intern with him at Chip Williford Productions, studied with him at SCCC and those he worked with at Suffolk Theater—he is a guiding light—a well lit city, if you would—a plethora of experience and encouragement, inspiring them to stretch themselves and to reach fearlessly for those things the world has told them are unattainable. He motivationally states, “Life is a one shot deal. Shoot your best shot.”
RESUME
Chip Williford
mrchipwilliford@aol.com (718) 930-6649 chipwilliford.com
May 2013 to 2019: Technical Director - The Suffolk Theater - Riverhead, NY. - Manage and supervise all visual aspects of the shows and events. Consult with clients, venders, production team, caterers, performers and managements.
2006-2007 - Columbia Home Loans - Mortgage Loan Officer New home loans, Refinance and Reverse mortgage loans.
1997 - 2013 - United Airlines - Purser, International Flight Attendant - Managed onboard flight attendant crew of 8-22 persons, and provided assistance, leadership, and direction to everyone onboard
1990 - 1997 - I.T.C. Atlanta, GA - Media Specialist
Produced, filmed, edited and duplicated course videos for the extended educational curriculum for the students.
1988 - 1990 - Port of Oakland - Safety Specialist/ Traffic Control Officer - Loma Prieta Recovery Task Force
Education:
SCCC, Selden NY - Radio and Television Production, A.A.S. ( PTK AZN VP of Service ), SCCC Alumni Association
International Theological Center, Atlanta, GA - Certificate of Theology, ITC Alumni Association
Laney College - Television Production
Rutledge College - Business Administration - Spartanburg, SC
Freelance:
Videography and Production Service -
Entertainment and Production Experience:
Grammy’s - Maddison Square Gardens,
47th Annual Audelco Awards - Tribeca Performing Arts Center,
Musique Concert - The Van Nostrand Performance Arts Center
Chew Entertainment: PA, Back Stage Manager, Red Carpet, Assistant to Miss Jaynell Grayson, 2nd Assistant to Mr Ray Chew and Mrs Vivian Chew. Apollo 80th Gala - Talent Assistant Crew Manager, ShowTime At The Apollo - Production Assistant, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 BET Honors - PA/Librarian - Warner Theater Washington, DC, Carnegie Hall - NY, NY - Night of Inspiration 2017, 2018 Back Stage Manager, Kings Theater, Brooklyn NY - Finding Ashley Stewart Tour Finale - Back Stage Manager 2018-2019, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument Dedication Ceremony - Washington, DC - Production Assistant
His freelance production experience also includes the 60th Grammy’s, Musique Concerts at at several venues including the Van Nostrand Performance Arts Center, and the St George Theater. He filmed and interviewed honorees and celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 47th Annual Audelco Awards for Excellence in Black Theater at The Tribeca Performance Arts Center, most recently he was Stage Manager at the Legends of Vinyl Music Hall of Fame Awards.
Strengths: logistical planning, analytical thinking, problem solving, diverse communication skills, managerial/training skills, trust worthy, works well alone or with others, dependable, creative, innovative, financial/computer savvy.
Videos
It all begins with an idea.
Poetry Street On The Road Season One "The Film"
"Bohemia: Then And Now"
Conversations with Colleen featuring Jayda Ellis,
edited by Chip Williford Productions
Multi-Cultural Solidarity Long Island Grant Proposal Promotional Video 2021,
edited by Chip Williford Productions
The 47th Annual Audelco Awards Red Carpet Interviews
Suffolk Theater Commercial
Hannah Kroner Fundraiser Promotional Video
The New Millennium Jazz Band Featuring Jim Altamore and Pamela Lewis
Set One - https://youtu.be/IS5zO51xZiw
Set Two - https://youtu.be/HR3laxg2HJw
Jay White "America's Diamond" at The Suffolk Theater
When Black Women Gather "Unpacking Anti-Blackness, Packing Black Self Love",
hosted by Helen Higginbotham with guest Dr. Cleo Manago, edited by Chip Williford Productions.
Stony Brook University Africana Studies Department discussion on Dr Amiri Baraka
The Dispatchment Society
More Videos On My YouTube Channel
“Idea of America”
It all begins with an idea.
by Chip Williford
Looking back and knowing where we’ve come from
At all the obstacle that have been placed in our way
The hangings, the torture, even the many mysterious killings of some
Makes me wonder how am I even alive, sane and here today
I will never forget the stories told by my parents and grandparents
About the many sacrifices our ancestors made
Not that long ago when they were captured, chained, shackled together,
And shipped across the ocean, far away in a stockade
Even if they try to silence me by cutting off my tongue and ears
My eyes will always tell the stories of the oppressors fears
Our stories, and our fears:
Like the fear of being stripped down naked
Tied, whilst stinging lashes thrust upon our rears
Questioning, questioning the existence of God ever being there
Making us pray that god was here
And wishing this ole life’s end was near
We are the proud descendants of those who were treated worse than barren dirt
Our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers were beaten, bought, sold, breed, rented, and traded
No words could ever excuse our hurt
Everything about us they told us was hated
Slave owners didn’t care about separating A black African man from his family
They were only concerned with their own satisfaction, status, wealth
To them we were all just a commodity
They didn’t give a damn how we felt
I will not be quite, get over it, nor will I forget
That’s right, as long as I can still remember
And as long as I have breath, I will tell our stories:
My great grandfather’s father, Peter, was born enslaved
With a value of five hundred thirty-eight dollars he was appraised
Listed Negro Boy as chattel property
Right there on the Inventory Sheet of slave owner, Allen T. Overby,
1858 recently deceased Then bequeath to another slave owner
I shame more by not mentioning the name to whom he was released
At the very early age of seven, Peter was separated from his family
Peeled violently from the loving arms of his weeping mother Jenny
Snatched, shirt soaking wet with the tears of his brothers,
Frank age 4 And two-year-old Joe
Did Peter ever see his family again?
It hurts to say I still don’t know.
Slavery, Poisoned Heirloom
Passed down from one generation to the next generation
Beginning at birth They lived their entire lives,
Most times with little or no hope at all in sight
America, Words are inadequate to describe or excuse our hurt
No matter what they say, feel, or do’t say about Slavery
It Just wasn’t right!
I will continue to tell our stories, I will not forget
With wide eyes filled with festering hatred
Coming from all directions, closely gathered did they band
By the blazing dirt with babies in their arms
And youngins held tightly by the hand
Screaming and yelling “Nigger” as they dragged me by my feet
Delivering my reckoning while still I weep
And as She was forced to spread her young trembling legs
As we cried, pleaded and begged as we bled.
Fire burns high rapidly
Loudly when generously kindled with seasoned timber of hate
No one escaped unscathed
There was no place to run
There was no place to hide
There was no place sacred, No place was Safe.
A crack to the head, neck, leg, back and knee
To the young black men, women and children
Did those with billie clubs repeatedly hit
Boastfully grinning and shouting “ Get those Niggers
As the pack of growling dogs viciously bit
Knocked down, harshly brushed and crushed
By the velocity of the firemen water-hose aim
Tar and feathered, paraded and mocked
Tightly weighed down by yet another heavy ass chain
What a damn shame!
They raped our precious little girls
Hung our boys without consequences
Took what they wanted and destroyed our businesses
Burned crosses, bombed our churches
Arrested our ministers and leaders
To them, we weren’t really human, we were only Niggers
Yet Still
There’s time to start healing from the scars of history
But, by first telling the truth
Yes The Truth!
The reality
This nation, “The land of the free”
Was formed, founded and is still being governed
With ideology embedded in racism, sexism
And other cruel and in-humane atrocities
You see, Native American Genocide and Slavery
Are just two of the Many deep scars in America’s History
Doused in blood and tears
Evoking painful memories with significance
Too important not to hear
America, will you ever learn From the scars of history?
Led by he who lies so blatantly
Here we are in the 21st century
Infected with covid-19, racism, insurgency of our capital
Threatening our democracy,
While evil, unjust people in the highest office remain
We will all be limited as to what we can gain
And again today,
Black people and people of color are the ones left
In the most immeasurable pain.
Sure, we can always hope for a better future
As no one really knows what tomorrow will hold
But I won’t fool myself into thinking after generations of hatred
They’ll break their Racist mold.
But for how long will we have to live and fight
Those who think they’re better than us because their skin is white?
Will it ever end or must we all die
Before God pays attention to our desperate cry?
I hate the thought of being shot down because of the color of my skin
But I will always remember, No, unfortunately, I am constantly reminded when I walk out the door,
That’s the hard reality all black men, women and children are in
America, will you please learn from our horrid past and not lose sight?
Any action fueled with Hate, Homophobia, Sexism, Racism,
Or the Myth of White Supremacy Ideology Just isn’t right!
Denying basic needs, treating people inhumanly,
Making and enforcing laws and degrading systems designed to disproportionately displace
And keep black people and people of color Down, in Prison, Disenfranchised, Depressed and Oppressed,
And killing our black men, women and children while no-one is being held accountable
Just isn’t right!
Please, Please Learn and let’s heal from the scars of history
America, Please don’t lose sight!
Based on the notion
If this “Idea” of “America”
Truly being “The Great Nation” “Land Of The Free”
Then Liberty, Equality and Justice Must be Inclusive
Including people who look like Me.
The Time is NOW!
We must
Speak Out
Show Up and Vote
Immaculate Intimacy
It all begins with an idea.
“Immaculate Intimacy ” by Chip Williford
Let Your Head Be Comforted By The Warmth Of My Thigh And Gaze Upon The Ornaments That Fancy Your Eyes
Gently Touch The Thickness Of Life And Taste It’s Nectar As It Gives You Delight
As In All Living Things, When Nurtured, It Too Will Surely Grow And In Time, It Will Give You Even More Pleasure, So Go Slow
Go Slow As You Relish It’s Length, It’s Strength and Beauty Two Lovers Sparing Not A Sliver Of Such Intensity
Immaculate Intimacy
As They Continue To Embrace Feeling The Heat Each Time Their Bodies Meet, They Create A Reservoir Of Delicious Moisture They Taste
A Bit Of Salt And An Iota Of Sweet But Not A Single Drop To Waste.
In Between
It all begins with an idea.
In Between
by Chip Williford
Fragments of stolen moments
Delivered spontaneously
Almost
Lasts forever
Remembered sporadically
Fettered to the past
Silently watching
Surviving
Another moment of uncertainty
Certainly
There is a way out
Is freedom
Ever
So burdensome
With out without
Carrying heavy secrets?
Quietly contemplating
Decomposed dreams
Dire Possible Outcomes
With furious longing
I watch you leave your being
As a fading smile
Already I feel
Your absence and presence become one