Gators, Poetry and Activism with Sam(ira) Obeid

We bring this week’s episode from India - where we have the pleasure of interviewing Indian born, Florida based queer activist/poet/scholar Sam(ira) Obeid. Sam’s work has sent her to the heights of the national slam poetry competitions at Women of the World Poetry Slam and Southern Fried, as well as other national venues.

In this week’s episode she tells us about her journey back to India, and we breakdown concepts like intersectionality, the binary, what the spectrum looks like, activism, women who raise us, the power of women as leaders and teachers, as well as the end of Sam’s story of courage. She also shares 2 awe-inspiring poems with us.

Check it out!

Follow Sam on her website and facebook.

Listen to "Gators, Poetry and Activism with Sam(ira) Obeid" on Spreaker.

Sam(ira) Obeid will be our feature on this week's edition of the Live and Online: Expression Session.  Register below! 

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Poet, Actor, and Womanist Jessica Raquel

This week’s guest is our Expression Session feature -  poet, actor and womanist Jessica Raquel.

Jessica is a proud 2018 Florida A & M (FAMU) graduate. She is passionate about genuinely telling the narratives of Black Women through acting and poetry, and has performed in venues across the world - most recently at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.  

During our time together Jessica shared about womanism, her wonderful experiences at her HBCU, the groundbreaking work they did in Edinburgh, and  having courage and purpose with the work we create.

Jessica also performed 3 inspiring poems during our interview - they will especially appeal to our lyricist followers.

And we’re excited to hear even more from her when she Features at Sunday’s Expression Session.

Her new album “Sample” is available on Soundcloud

You can also follow Jessica on Instagram

Listen to "Poet, Actor, and Womanist Jessica Raquel" on Spreaker.

Jessica Raquel will be our feature on this week's edition of the Live and Online: Expression Session.  Register below! 

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Waiting on the Bus with Dennis Amadeus

Dennis Amadeus is a writer, educator, performance artist and community organizer. With his passion to teach and inspire young people, Dennis has travelled across the nation performing and conducting art-based workshops.

Led by his activism, Dennis has also organized community fundraisers and book drives to support many causes, including  sending 1000 Books to Swaziland, Africa to build a community library.

In this episode we talked about about feminism, activism and growth, and Dennis told the story of how he connected with his purpose and Faith. Dennis also performed two new poems and the title track from his new poetry album ‘Waiting on the Bus’ - which is out now.

Listen with faith and purpose to Dennis’ latest feature performance in THE Celebration.

You can also follow Dennis through his site, and  on Instagram and Facebook.

Listen to "Waiting on The Bus with Dennis Amadeus" on Spreaker.

Dennis Amadeus will be our feature on this week's edition of the Live and Online: Expression Session.  Register below! 

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Syrian American Poet Dania Alkhouli

In this week’s episode I interview Syrian American author and poet Dania Alkhouli. Dania is also the feature for this Sunday’s Live and Online Expression Session.

Dania’s second book “Oceans and Flames” was published last year and paints moving images of being a survivor of Domestic Abuse.  Dania tapped into her resilience and overcame the violence, and now she speaks out on the significance of empowering women and men to break the cycle.

Dania shares 3 powerful poems from her book and talks about the Non Profit  and traveling exhibition she founded with her mother - ‘A Country Called Syria’. The non profit showcases the history and rich culture of her country, and helps local communities connect with its rich heritage and resilient people.

You can follow Dania on Instagram and Facebook.

Listen to "Syrian American Poet Dania Alkhouli" on Spreaker.

Dania Alkhouli will be our feature on this week's edition of the Live and Online: Expression Session.  Register below! 

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

An Intersectional Dialogue With Claudia Alick

I am really excited to share this one with you.  This week’s episode is unique and explores a new format.  I sit down with intersectional inclusion expert, artist and digital nomad Claudia Alick.  

Rather than an interview, Claudia and I had a back and forth conversation.  Both of us asked each other questions and explored the answers together.

During our dialogue, we covered topics such as: 

• Claudia's Listening Tour
• Leadership 
• Inclusion and Accessibility 
• Intersectionality 
• How we both got into the work we are in. 

It was really fun exploring this format.  Both Claudia and I had some real ‘aha moments’ during this one. 

You will love this unique and exciting episode.  

Listen to "An Intersectional Dialogue With Claudia Alick" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

"To Be Black Queens By Any Means.” - An interview with Destinny Fletcher

This week’s episode is pure magic and power.  

I interview spoken word artist and community advocate Destinny Fletcher.  Destinny’s mission is to engage the community through womanhood, self-awareness, and body positivity. 

Destinny spits 3 dope poems during this interview and shares the origin story behind her mantra, "To Be Black Queens By Any Means.” 

Plus we talked about: 

• What inspires you to be you.
• What self-care and self-love looks like.
• How to gain self-awareness.
• How to have badass confidence. 

Destinny is one of my favorite poets and SHE IS FROM MY HOMETOWN OF MILWAUKEE, WI.  What more could you ask for from an episode?  

Listen to ""To Be Black Queens By Any Means.” - An interview with Destinny Feltcher." on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Interview With Ash S. - Budding Poet and Psychologist in Training

On this week’s episode I interview budding poet and phycologist in training Ash S.  

We talked about:

• Gender
• Being Non-Binary
• Langston Hughes
• Is the Universe Kind? 

Plus Ash shares 4 brilliant and inspiring poems. 

Ash was authentic, open and vulnerable in this interview.  I really learned a lot and was grateful for the opportunity.   

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Live and Online: Expression Session - February Edition (Featuring Ebony Payne-English)

Live and Online: Expression Session is a monthly writing workshop which culminates in a featured performance by an international recognized artist.  This month we are blessed to have Ebony Payne-English as our feature!

Click here to register!

In anticipation of the event, Ebony joined me for an interview.  She shared her writing journey, what motivates her, and performs 3 poems. 

For your free give-away for this episode, Ebony shared with us 3 of her favorite writing prompts.  To download it, click here or below.

Here's the interview:

You can also listen to the interview as a podcast below or on iTunes.

Listen to "Expression Session Featuring Ebony Payne-English" on Spreaker.

Expression Session - Featuring Wally B

Very Exciting News! I am launching an online and live expression session.  

This event will include a writing workshop, open mic, and performances by nationally recognized artists.  AND you can attend from anywhere in the world!

Our first feature for this great event is the brilliant and talented Wally B!

To register - click here or head to the events tab.  

To give you a sneak peak - here is a special episode of T.H.E. Celebration featuring Wally B.  In this episode Wally talks about how he got started in spoken word, becoming a full time artist, and he performs 3 powerful poems!  

To watch the episode - View This Video:

On the go? Listen Below:

It's also available as an iTunes Podcast:

Click this to listen on iTunes

To donate and support the Heard Em' Say BNV Team please click here or visit https://www.gofundme.com/2016hesslamteam