Desc: The God Given Talent: The Creative Life of Charles Curtis Blackwell: Directed by Jeff M. Giordano. With Charles Curtis Blackwell. Charles Curtis Blackwell: the Oakland poet, painter, playwright and teacher -- takes us on an intimate journey into his past and present. From his challenging upbringing in both California and Mississippi, to his current creative life -- we follow as he discusses loss, love, pain, and redemption -- all through the prism of his artistic endeavors.