Hello!

Ooh La La, Questions.

What is

Raw Honey?

Raw Honey is a teaspoon of brutal truth fresh from the comb, bold and thick with sweet.

Raw Honey is my artistic brand capturing the duality of how my poetry both confronts and comforts.

As I speak to the broader world & its systems and my individual listeners, I both challenge and tenderly nurture them.

As a Christian, my faith in Jesus Christ as my divine Lord and companion, along with biblical themes are woven throughout many of my poems.

You’ll find my poetry often journeys from dark to light and from hopeless conditions to hopeful resolutions.

One of the inspirations for my brand was, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (NKJV, Proverbs 16:24)

May your soul be both sweetened and healed as you experience my artistry in its many forms.

How did your poetry journey begin?

When Doc pulled me out of the womb, I had a pencil in my hand.

Started scribbling words all on the hospital bed sheets.

Sheesh, if only! The first poem I remember writing, “Violetta the Black Puppy,” was about a velvety stuffed animal my Mom bought me from Toys R Us.

As I grew up, I feasted on the delicious works of many poets which fortified me. My Dad got me hip to the Giovanni’s, Sanchez’, and Baraka’s, and my Language Arts teachers introduced me to the Suess’s, Angelou’s, and Poe’s.

In high school, I discovered Def Poetry Jam, a spoken word TV series hosted by Mos Def.

At the same time that I was drinking episodes like chocolate protein shakes, I was developing my own style of spoken word with its very own flavor.

When I won my school’s first-ever poetry slam, well, then I knew I had a little something goin’ on.

I believe God created each of us with a unique sweet tooth. We crave certain goodies, and when we get our taste buds on ‘em, it delights us like no other.

Writing poetry, journaling (all the time), even words themselves are mine.

What are yours?

What are the intentions that drive you?

I *poetize*, facilitate, mentor, and edit.

My intention is to *blossom* my own and others’ well-being.

We will uncurl into greater self-awareness.

We will spotlight our unique beauty and affirm our dignity.

We will draw nearer to God, if we desire.

We will elevate to next levels of who we are meant to be.

As we grow toward mental, emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual wholeness,

I intend to be fully present.

I intend to *companion* you.

And my intention is to move with respect, thoughtful care, and the utmost excellence.

How are you wired?

I get jazzed about personality, temperament, and style assessments. I’ll pull back the curtain for you to see just a few of my faves.

Strengths Finder

My Top 5 Strengths

1. Achiever- Conquering thangz

2. Developer- Cultivating people

3. Discipline- Creating structure and routine to stay on course

4. Empathy- Tuning in to others’ emotions

5. Responsibility- Being trustworthy to the max

Enneagram: Type 1 - Reformer/Perfectionist

Seeking wholeness and the highest good

Myers-Briggs: ISFJ- The Nurturer

What are your favorite organizations you’ve worked with?

The Sanctuaries- Art, faith & justice nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that activates multicultural artists to heal social division and ignite social change.

It was an honor to collaborate with artists of various media and create healing art that we shared with people all over the world.

StudentU- A community organization that uses the power of education, advocacy, and leadership to build a just and equitable Durham, NC, which is my hometown.

It was an honor to teach middle schoolers English and Poetry writing, and to become infused with these core StudentU values:

I will energize my community. I will achieve greatness.

I will respect myself and others. I will discover my best self.

I will dream fearlessly. I will share my brilliance.

What are you up to now?

I am on staff at Grace Downtown church in Washington, DC enriching the community as the Community Life Coordinator. Five years and goin’ strong!

I co-teach a Leadership & Discipleship class at Reformed Theological Seminary and facilitate workshops for other local institutions.

I present my poetry everywhere from coffee shops to concerts and conferences.

I am rollerblading, dancing in thunderstorms, *queening* out about gooood music, and making up new ways to say ordinary phrases extraordinarily.

What else am I doing?

Most likely laughing. A lot.