TRANSLATING
..memory, insight, and information into compelling expressions—spoken word, poetry, music, and story. It’s my way of making the intangible real, creating experiences that move hearts and minds.
THE STORY IS IMPORTANT.
“Every story carries weight. I work with memory and meaning, shaping them into spoken word, poetry, music—tools that make what’s intangible touchable. Through storytelling, I open emotional landscapes where transformation and connection can take root.”
Sickle Cell Awareness Fundraiser - The Garden Theatre
"'Rest' is truly my poetic call to radical stillness. In a world that constantly demands that I'm doing, this piece is an invocation for me to simply be. Through tender imagery and rhythmic breath, I'm honoring the sacred act of pausing—of canceling, rescheduling, and bravely saying no. It's a meditation on setting boundaries, on the reality of burnout, and on the deep healing that emerges when I pour back into myself. It's a love letter to anyone feeling weary, reminding us that just being alive is enough—and that rest, in itself, is a powerful form of resistance."
Sidewalk Detroit - Sounds of Freedom
These three poems explore the profound resilience, historical memory, and enduring spirit of the Black experience. "Migration to Freedom" likens the Great Migration to birds' survival journeys, emphasizing the pursuit of a better life despite inherent risks and sacrifices, leading to a cultural rebirth blending blues and jazz. "Divine Sankofa" highlights the power of reflecting on the past to overcome historical trauma through collective healing, resistance, and a guiding divine power. "Ba-Bum (The Heartbeat)" reinforces this enduring spirit through the metaphor of an ancestral heartbeat, connecting generations and symbolizing the collective strength found in communal bonds and shared humanity. Together, the poems illustrate a people who draw strength from their history, culture, and an intrinsic spirit to continually move forward with resilience and a vibrant identity.
True Colors: Season 3 (Live Recording)
Theory of Evolution (Push),' really speaks to the continuous, sometimes painful, process of growth and change. It describes this 'crack in my chrysalis' with each evolution, acknowledging it as a 'growing pain' that paradoxically 'feels good'. The poem equates this process to birth – 'Conception, Blood, Natural, Beauty' – emphasizing its raw, fluid, and often tearful nature. It frames healing as something for the 'human / Willing / to experience on repeat / Cycles and Conclusions' , suggesting that lessons and blessings arrive consistently, 'like clock work'. The imagery of keeping 'back strong' and 'bones close to my body / When I’m fetal and expecting / Something great' highlights a protective posture amidst anticipation. Ultimately, it’s about recognizing and embracing each 'crack,' 'death,' and 're-birth' as another step in one's ongoing evolution.
Cartography Project - Millenium Stage (Kennedy Center)
'I LOVE IT HERE' is this sacred affirmation of what it feels like to truly embody your spirit, be emotionally honest, and completely accept yourself, no matter what. It's rooted in this awareness of my chakras and my own spiritual awakening, and when I wrote it, it really flowed like a ritual – merging everything personal with the cosmic. Through the rhythm, the breath, and the vulnerability in the poem, I'm inviting you into this world where love is super intentional, where you can actually hear your spirit, and where your body isn't just something you live in, but a true sanctuary. This piece, for me, is a celebration of being whole – of being absolutely everything, all at once – and a really powerful reminder that healing truly begins when presence and power meet.
Black Kings Showcase - Trinosophes
This poem, "Black Men," powerfully portrays the immense burdens and resilience of Black men, who daily choose strength while carrying the weight of family, friends, and fallen comrades. It highlights the constant "balancing act on their shoulders" and their tireless defense of their very existence. The poem asserts their right to "be on they bullshit" and acknowledges their exhaustion with societal pressures, suggesting a need for moments of reprieve. Amidst their struggles, Black men are celebrated for their spirituality, intelligence, and artistic contributions, even as they face the ever-present threat of violence and injustice. Ultimately, the poem is a heartfelt declaration of love and unwavering support, recognizing the vital role of mothers and daughters in uplifting them and emphasizing the crucial need for Black men and boys to have space for their joy to breathe and flourish.
Detroit Institute of Arts - Spirit of Regeneration
Dignity's Future' is my declaration of inherent Black identity and power. It asserts that 'I just am that I am' , emphasizing a self-creation that precedes and transcends external systems of misidentification. I explore how our culture, rooted in ancient African empires and spiritual wisdom, existed purely and powerfully long before it was commodified or misunderstood. The poem speaks to the invincibility of our 'immaterial' spirit and our divine ability to 'make way outta no way' , even through challenges like urban renewal in places like Black Bottom. It's a call for 'For us, by us' community , highlighting our collective responsibility, cultural traditions like Kuumba, and the vibrant resilience found in Detroit. Ultimately, 'Dignity's Future' is about our uncompromising belief that our culture precedes us , holding our own accountability, and recognizing the timeless, unvalidated dignity we find in each other, built on the foundations of our elders. We were fearless before, and now, we are invincible.
True Colors Season 3 - Live Taping at Spectacles Detroit
“Girl” is a wake-up call. It explores this internal conflict within a 'Girl' who suppresses her true desires for thrill, adventure, and vulnerability , opting instead for perceived stability and control. She's depicted as someone who silences her own joy and passion , trading them for external validation and a limited existence. The poem really urges her to break free from this self-imposed cycle by acknowledging her evolution, reclaiming her authenticity, and embracing healing and forgiveness. It suggests that the true problem lies in her attempts to resist her inherent desire for adventure and her authentic self."
Motown Musuem - Papa Was Project
"This poem, 'Something to Miss,' is a tender tribute to my father , expressing a deep, growing grief that offers spiritual protection but longs for his physical presence. Memories of childhood innocence, like putting on his work boots and late-night fries, highlight his unwavering love and care. I credit my father for shaping me and imparting gifts and talents, influencing my discernment in future relationships. Ultimately, the poem is a heartfelt declaration of enduring love and gratitude for a father who gave his best, leaving a lasting legacy I am 'grateful to have something to miss'."
University of Michigan Art Museum - First Fridays
Legacy' is a really personal piece for me, reflecting on the enduring impact of those who support us, much like Kanye West's mother, Donda. It acknowledges the raw, unadulterated passion of an artist, someone with "big dreams and metaphors" , who pushes through "Disappointments and closed doors" even when your "Motivation on E". The poem speaks to that deep desire for 'More' and serves as a powerful motivation for me to keep creating, singing, loving, cultivating, producing, and especially, resting. Even though my number one fan has left me as their legacy, I am proud to say that my number one fan lives through me. It's a reminder to continue pursuing dreams, like going to the moon, despite loss.