In Volume Four: Chapter Sixteen, we welcome Teaching Artist, Poet, Spoken Word Artist and Author of the new book Mouths of Garden, friend of The Podcast Barbara Fant.

Connect with Barbara:
Twitter: @bloombarbfant
Website: barbarafant.com
IG: @bloombarbfant


Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Brandon Alexander Williams: Black Women Studies
IG: @brandonalexanderwilliams
Twitter: @moderndaygroit
Website: moderndaygriot.net

Rick Dove: A Poetic Conceit
IG: @rickdove
Website: rickdove.co.uk
Twitter: @multistable

RJ Wright: Soldiers Creed
IG: therealrjwright

Crystal Valentine: I am Black before woman in February
Website: crystalvalentinepoetry.com
IG: crystalvalentine94

Anita D: And The Psych Ward Says
Website: anitadpoetry.com
IG: anitadpoetry
Twitter: @anitadpoetry

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

In Volume Four: Chapter Fifteen, we welcome Teaching Artist, Poet, Host of the podcast The Word Trap, Writer, and Author fr the poetry collection Rotten Soup, Zulmie Da Poet.  

Zulmie was born in New York and completed her undergraduate degree at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in History Liberal Arts and completed graduate studies at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia with a Master’s in Practical Theology.

She fell in love with poetry in middle school and started writing poetry in high school.

She is the Author of “Rotten Soup”  and currently resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She is an Educator professionally and conducts poetry workshops and is an advocate of self-love. Zulmie also hosts an IG Live biweekly show,  Zulmie’s Poetic Family and Friends in which she interviews fellow poets and creatives.

Connect with Zulmie:
Twitter: @zulmiedapoet
Website: zulmie.com
IG: @zulmiedapoet


Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Andra Gibson: For the Days I Stop Wanting to Have a Body
IG: @andrwgibby
Twitter: @andreagibson
Website: andreagibson.org

Dasan Ahanu: Conversation with God
IG: @dasanahanu
Website: dasanahanu.com
Twitter: @dasanahanu

Barbara Fant: Brown Bodies Bending
IG: @bloombarbfant
Website: barbarafant.com
Twitter: @bloombarbfant

Ephraim Nehemiah: 5 Stages of Grief for the Living
Twitter: @ephraimnehemiah
Website: ephraimnehemiah.com
IG: @ephraimnehemiah

Moody Black: 8 Letters
Website: iammoodyblack.com
IG: iammoodyblack
Twitter: @iammoodyblack

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

In Volume Four: Chapter Fourteen, we welcome Teaching Artist, Poet, Performance Poet, Writer, Advocate, Author of the poetry collection Carnival, and co-founder of the Spoken Lit Movement, a Los Angeles-based arts organization designed to uplift and support poets both in and out of  L.A. , Alyesha Wise.

Alyesha is a published poet and TEDx speaker from Camden, N.J. Currently residing in LA, she is a teaching artist for Street Poets, Inc., an organization serving juvenile injustice-involved youth with mentorship and arts programming. Alyesha is a 2-time Women of the World Poetry Slam finalist with a stellar competing and coaching record. She has been featured on platforms and in publications such as Huffington Post, Bustle, Afropunk, PBS, POPSUGAR, Buzzfeed, and more. Other collabs include the ACLU of Southern California, Brave New Films, and  the Google Interstellar Project

Connect with Alyesha:
Twitter: @mswise
Website: alyeshawise.com
IG: @alyeshawise


Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Black Chakra: I Spit Fire
IG: @blackchakra88
Twitter: @blackchakra88

YaYa: Ling Ling
IG: @yayazhangpoet

Oompa: Space-Time Continuum
IG: @oompoutloud
Website: oompoutloud.com
Twitter: @oompoutloud

Alyesha Wise: Trauma

Alyesha Wise: Cannibal

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

In Volume Four: Chapter Thirteen, we welcome teaching Artist, Poet, Performance Poet, Writer, Advocate, and Author of the upcoming poetry collection Refuse To Disappear, Dr Tara Betts.

Kankakee, IL born and Chicago-based Dr. Betts is the Author of two full length poetry collections Arc and Hue and Break the Habit, and has published a number of chapbooks including Switch, Can I hang, and Circling Unexpectedly. Dr. Betts received her BA in communications from Loyola University, her MFA in creative writing from New England College, and her PhD in English/Creative Writing from Binghamton University. Her newest full length poetry collection Refuse to Disappear will be released this June via Word Works Books

Connect with Tara:
Twitter: @tarabetts
IG: @chitownbetts

Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Meccamorphosis: Penny Dreadfuls
IG: @meccamorphosis
Website: meccamorphosis.com
Twitter: @meccaverdell

Asis Sampson: 90's Love
IG: @theasiaproject
Twitter: @theasiaproject
Website: theasiaproject.com

Dua Saleh : Pins and Needles
IG: @doitlikedua
Website: duasaleh.com
Twitter: @doitlikedua

Javon Johnson: Black and happy
IG: @javonism
Twitter: @javonism

Aman Batra: Ikea
IG: @amankbatra
Twitter: @amankbatra
Website: amankbatra.com

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

 In Volume Four: Chapter Twelve, we welcome North Carolina-based Poet, Writer, Life Coach, Animal Advocate, and Entrepreneur, Jolanda Malone.

 Jolanda's non-profit organization Beartha was founded in January 2001 and named in honor of her grandmother Bertha. She says of living with her grandmother " growing up in the South Bronx we lived in a house that felt like a mansion. She always welcomed her home to neighbors , friends, families, people that needed help, and furry friends. She helped so many people get on their feet, rescued stray cats, and provided a safe haven that made people feel welcomed. Bertha means "Bright One" and she surely did Brighten my life and inspired me to make a community that Humans, Animals, and Nature will be important and can come together. This Non-Profit Organization is in Honor of her and how to left the world a better place than she found it".

She says that the core values of the organization is to L.I.V.E.:

Love: To Live a Life where you leave the world a better place than you found it through moving in LOVE

Inspire: We want to INSPIRE people to love their self and others 

Visualize: To Visualize your dreams and goals and Know you are capable of leaving the world a better place than you found it.

Educate: To Educate the community on how they can leave the world a better place.

Connect with Jolanda:
Website: beartha.org
IG: @beartha919

Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Ashley Lumpkin: Inheritance
IG: @lumplestiltizken
Website: lumplestiltizken.com
Twitter: @alump

Gabriel Ramirez: Whenever I Look Over My Balcony
IG: @ramirezpoet
Twitter: @ramirezpoet
Website: ramirezpoet.com

Summer Durant : Future not Fetish
IG: @summeraen
Website: summeraen.com
Twitter: @summera3n

Steven Willis: How The Hood Loves You Back
IG: @stevenantoinewillis
Website: stevenwillispoetry.com
Twitter: @stevenawillis

Ifrah Hussein: Tell Us
IG: @ifrahhussein
Twitter: @ifrahhussein_

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

In Volume Four: Chapter Eleven, we welcome Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Author of the Chapbook Sprig of Lilac, Kelsey Bigelow. Her debut spoken word album Depression Holders and Secret Keepers is available now via all streaming platforms and via her website.

Kelsey Bigelow is based in Des Moines. She aims to be the motivator and mentor people don't always get in life. In her work, she molds incredibly specific emotions into something human, digestible, and cathartic. She believes we grow in empathy by talking about our shared experiences, no matter how difficult. As a multi-slam champion, published poet, workshop leader, and more, Kelsey is on a mission to show others two things:

​1. You can live the life you dream.

2. It does get better.

Connect with Kelsey:
Website: kelkaybpoetry.com
IG: @kelkaybpoetry

Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Jus Marvin: My Depression
IG: @jusmarvinpoetry

Melissa Newman-Evans: 9 Things I Would Like to Tell Every Teenage Girl
Website: melissanewmanevans.com

Taalam Acey: Willie Lynch LLC
IG: @taalamacey
Website: taalamacey.com
Twitter: @taalamacey

Bella: Interpretation
IG: @bella_soul

Elizabeth Acevedo: Haor
IG: @acevedowrites
Website: acevedowrites.com
Twitter: @acevedowrites.com

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

In Volume Four: Chapter Ten, we welcome Teaching Artist, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Slam Poet, and Author of the book The Autobiography of Absence, Ephraim Nehemiah.

 A published writer, educator and nationally touring performer. Their work sits comfortably in the Black cultural lineage of griots who are dedicated to using truth to document and critique the world around them. Ephraim holds a B.A. in Pan-African Studies from Kent State University where they were awarded the Undergraduate Poetry Prize and Maggie Anderson Scholarship. Ephraim is also the co-founder and former coach of Kent State’s award-winning collegiate poetry team that competed annually at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational from 2015-2018. Ephraim is the recipient of grants from PEN America, Gabrielle Bouliane Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, and received fellowships from The Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre, Baldwin House Urban Writing Residency, and The Watering Hole Winter Retreat. Ephraim’s poems appear in various journals and publications such as Anxy Magazine, Flypaper, Lake Effect Anthology, UHURU Magazine, and Knights Library Magazine, where the poem "Jesus Christ Tries Talking to His Father Again" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Their performances have been featured on TEDx Talks, Button Poetry, AfroPunk, Season 1 of Free Tuition, and various other channels. They are a 2021 National Poetry Slam Champion, Baltimore’s 2020 Grand Slam Champion, 2019 Rustbelt Poetry Slam Finalist, and a 2018 Individual World Poetry Slam final stage performer.

Connect with Ephraim:
Website: ephraimnehemiah.com
IG: @ephraimnehemiah

Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Shanelle Gabriel: Vanity
IG: @shanellegabriel
Website: shanellegabriel.com

Gayle Danley: Tough
IG: @gaylednaley
Twitter: @poetgayledanley
Website: gayledanleypoet.com

God's Ink of Spoken Word: Pennies
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword
Website: theinkmag.com

Ephriam Nehemiah: 5 Stages of Grief for The Living
IG: @ephriamnehemiah
Website: ephriamnehemiah.com

Ephriam Nehemiah: Afrofuturistic Fairy God Being
IG: @ephriamnehemiah
Website: ephriamnehemiah.com

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

In Volume Four: Chapter nine, we welcome Vanessa Verse. Vanessa was born and raised in South Seattle, Washington. Both of her parents are from the Philippines and immigrated to the states. Coming from a Filipino family, talking about feelings and emotions was uncommon in the household. Turning to poetry was an outlet when she felt that no one would listen or understand.

She's most recognized for her work as a Volunteer Victim Advocate and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) outreach performances. As an airman, she has been highlighted as a #KnowYourMil artist. 

In the middle of 2021, she received her third assignment and moved back to the states. Vanessa is excited by opportunities to grow, learn, network, and create.  Whether performing at open mics, competing in poetry slams, or facilitating and attending writing workshops, Vanessa has connected with supporters and other artists globally. Her audience responds with their own stories, energy, and hearts that connect with her words and style of storytelling.

Connect with Vanessa:
Website: thevanessaverse.com
IG: @thevanessaverse

Recorded spoken word performances in this Chapter include:

Anita D: Run
IG: @anitadpoetry
Website: anitadpoetry.com

Lyrical Faith: Pinterest Wedding
IG: @lyricalfaithpoetry
Twitter: @bylyricalfaith

Christopher Michael: Black Feels Like
IG: @mrmichael310
Website: 310brownstreet.com
Twitter: @mrmichael310

Nia Calloway: Do Not Put Me In a Vase
IG: @niacalloway
Website: niacalloway.com

Damien McClendon: On Surviving a Lynching
IG: @blackpenmagic

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com