Artists and Performers
wisdom pharaoh
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Wisdom is a 32 year old mother of three beautiful children whom she calls “My Blessed Tribe”. Born with a gift of poetry, Wisdom has been writing from the time that she could spell. As a child, she would write poems on anything that she could find including her bedroom walls and the back of her bed’s headboard. Wisdom realizes that she has been gifted with the power of poetry & spoken words that awaken the sleeping giant that we all have within. Not only has she been recognized for her poetry gifts statewide, she has been blessed to travel the Triad from Winston-Salem to Greensboro speaking blessings through Spoken Word Poetry and she knows that this is just the tip of the iceberg! Wisdom is a gentle soul, just thanking God for the opportunity to be used to “spit the fire that burns out ignorance”! She is forever grateful to do God’s will.
  • For a sample of Wisdom's work select "Airborne" from the list on the right.
  • For pictures of the Jan 14, 2010 Living Words event select "jan 14 2010" on the right.
rhachel royal
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Rhachel Royal is a 26 year Poetess from Camden, NJ. She has resided in Durham, NC for the past 18 years on and off. She is the daughter of  Minister Brenda Best and Mr. Ulysses Royal. She was educated in the New Jersey and North Carolina Public/ Christian School System. She was apart of the Theatre Dept for her entire time at Hillside High where she graduated May 2001. She has attended Saint Augustines College and North Carolina Central University Majoring in Business Administration and Minoring in Theatre.She is the mother of an 11 year old Son named Christian and a 2 yr old Daughter named Yari! Also she has 4 siblings including Well-Known Speaker & Evangelist Rhonda-Royal Hatton. Rhachel has been writing since the age of 8. She went from short stories to poetry which eventually evolved into spoken word. She has performed at many venues including the National Black Theatre Festival where she hosted and Open Mic event with Malcolm Jamal Warner. A liturgical dance teacher at Faith Assembly Christian Academy for the past 2 years she focus' on the children and their gifts and talents. She is a member of Faith Assembly Christian Center and has been since June 1999. Rhachel looks forward to becoming the first spoken word artist who's poetry is played in regular rotation on the Radio Stations and Video Channels. Her motto is "Forwards Forever Backwards Never" ...We all need to move forward. There will be setbacks in life but with the power of words we can move mountains. Life and Death is in the Power of your Tongue..so when you have a gift like Spoken Word You Can Make The World Change!!! She will be performing monthly at Living Words @ The Church of The Abiding Savior Lutheran and looks forward to where the Lord is taking her!!
Da Poet Tim Jackson
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Tim Jackson is an inspiring and empowering author, poet, spoken word emcee and stage performer. Tim is also the president and creator of Soul Redemption Ink Publishing, an innovative publishing company that supports the many unsupported talented poets, writers and spoken word artists.

Born and raised in Plymouth, NC, Tim attended Winston Salem State University. He is a strong believer in spreading joy, strength, faith, love and righteousness through written and spoken word.

Tim’s experiences as a black man, born into and living the American experience, has more than prepared him for his quest to overcome the negative with the positive power of spoken word.

Tim has produced his own stage plays and performed as a lead actor in many local productions. He has been a featured poet at various spoken word venues and a guest speaker for many youth, cultural, educational and church events.

monica daye
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 Monica Daye is the voice for many silent whisperers; a leader, advocate, poet, and women’s activist. Hailing from Durham, North Carolina this fearless woman, and fierce spit-fire poet touches audiences around the country with her biting poetry, soulful stories, and heartfelt commitment to the healing of women and community. Through the gift of spoken word poetry Daye shares her intimate story of surviving sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Daye was raped at a church convention at the age of 11; a teenage run-away, and in her first abusive relationship at the age of 13. Bad choices, and hanging with the wrong crowd led Daye to a youth detention facility and classified as a juvenile delinquent at the age of 14—she was incarcerated for two years. After her release from the youth detention facility, Daye was still searching to fulfill the void of emptiness she carried in her spirit since the beginning of her abusive journey. In search for love and acceptance she found herself wrapped in the arms of another abusive man at the age of 17. How did she survive? Daye shares this story as her testimony that God and her gift of poetry was truly her savior. Through poetry she captures all generations and gives hope to those facing the same obstacles she has overcome.

Capturing the poetry scene by storm at the young age of 19, she performed at her first open mic at Yancy’s Night Club in Raleigh, North Carolina. The release of her first book, And
You Thought You Had Problems: Well This Is My Life, in January 2004 directed her path towards community activism, poetry slams, theatrical performances, community organizing, workshop facilitation, media marketing, and radio personality—talents she never knew she possessed. Since dedicating her life full time to the gift of poetry and the women’s movement, Daye has featured at many of the local poetry venues, universities, (North Carolina Central University, University of Chapel Hill, Meredith College, NC State University, Shaw University, Duke University, University of Vermont, University of Denver, University of Pembroke), and churches (Union Baptist, Victorious Praise, Mount Zion AME, Compassion Ministries, Trinity AME, New Hope Baptist, New Life Community Church) across the East and West coast—Albuquerque, New Mexico, Vermont, Chicago, Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, Montgomery, Alabama, Jacksonville, Florida, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Manhattan, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina, Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and many others in the last 10 years. She has been a guest feature on several local and national radio programs; raising awareness on women’s issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, HIV prevention, and gang violence; just to name a few. Organizing and performing at Bimbe, Centerfest, Martin Luther King Festival, National Organization for Women, Hip-Hop Feminist Nation, Durham Parks and Recreation Community Day, Juneteenth, and many others. Daye has graced stages with legends of poetry such as The Last Poets in 2007, and been an opening act for Adina Howard, and Ky-mani Marley.

As the founder of STANDUP- SPEAK OUT, Monica's personal mission is to speak out and act out against sexual violence and domestic abuse. STANDUP-SPEAKOUT (S.U.S.O) was founded in the spring 2005, a community outreach program against domestic violence and sexual assault. Daye organized S.U.S.O's first series of community events in April 2005 to promote awareness on violence against women. In addition to community awareness S.U.S.O launched its first community-wide collection drive in April 2005--collecting personal hygiene items for battered women’s shelters and rape crisis centers in the state of North Carolina. Since the launching of S.U.S.O the programs and services have expanded which has led the small outreach program into the direction of becoming a state and nationally recognized non-profit organization.

Daye has been nominated for several awards during the course of her journey of community activism; a four-time award winner honored by the National Underground Spoken Word & Poetry Awards in 2007: Best Female Spoken Word Artist, Best Album of the Year (7 Days of Freedom), Best Album Cover (7 Days of Freedom), and Community Oriented Underground Poet's Award 2006-2008.

Daye’s first album, 7 Days of Freedom a passionate collection of poetry mixed with hip hop music was released in May 2006 to a sold out audience in Downtown Durham. The album tells real stories about violence against women, relationships, spiritual warfare, youth violence, and freedom; an ear opening experience of poetic truth that has captured the young and old--tracks such as “Sound da Sirens”, “3 Years”, “I’m At War”, and “6ft. Deep”. Produced by ME MusicWorks Studio in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the album sold over 7,500 copies underground within the first year. 7 Days of Freedom is a classic collectible for now and future generations. Daye is currently working on a 2nd album, a book, and a documentary of her life story.

Daye has starred in several stage plays that include Anatomy of a Woman Abused, HerStory of Love: A Stronger Daye; a poetic theatrical production, and Campaign For Change-
Riding with Joe Crack; an anti-gang production. She wasfeaturedin Street Life Educationin 2008; nominated and awarded Best Segment;a documentary that focuses on the challenges ofAmerican youth. In addition, she also featured in Healing through Spoken Word: A Survivor’s Story;a documentary released in October 2009—addressing domestic violence and the healing benefits of spoken word.
Founder and Organizer for Shairi’s “Spit That Poetry”(2005-2008); a local poetry venue held in Durham was rated the#1 poetry venue in North Carolina. Shairi’s open mic was more than a regular poetry venue, it stood on community morals and values,and family--a relaxed atmosphere full of good vibes, and positive energy—a place where people was not only entertain but educated as well. Welcoming the stage to all generations with a 7 year old being the youngest poet to perform at Shairi’s. Shairi’s Radio WXDU 88.7fm (2006-2008) was a collaboration with the poetry venue, bringing the stage to the airwaves. Daye created a platform for local and national underground artist to be heard on radio airwaves, addressing real issues happening in the world--allowing the community to voice their thoughts and poetry for the world to hear.

Shairi’s Radio was not only a local radio program, the show has featured national poets such as; 13th of Nazareth, Talaam Acey, Bluz, Queen Sheba, The Original Woman, and Saul Williams, just to name a few--national recording artist such as Adina Howard, Common, Baby Cham, Ky-maniMarley (Bob Marley’s son), Wayne Wonder, Professor Griff (X Clan),Last Poets, Jaisun McMillian,and many others.The show aired for three years everyFriday night until December2008 when Daye decided to say goodbye to Shairi’s to focus on personal goals—family and education.

Majoring in Psychology at the University of Phoenix, Daye plans to get her Masters in Art Therapy, and her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology. She envisions ways to utilize the arts as a way to aid people in overcoming traumatic experiences. Using her own life journey as model for a therapeutic process, Daye has effectively used poetry, music, journaling, visual arts, drama and dance as way to unlock the mystery of pain that hindered her own emotional instability. As a therapist she plans to work with victims of abuse and batterers to get at the root causes and to end the vicious cycle of domestic violence. As both a victim of and an abuser, Daye seeks to show the emotional scares caused by abuse, and how those abused grapple with understanding and contending with the consequences of abuse.

Monica’s journey is a celebration of the power of transformative change--raped at a young age, abused as an adolescent, troubled and rebellious as a teen, lost and confused as a young adult--words paved the way for the emergence of a powerful new voice. Daye stands up and speaks out to those denied their own voice. She has tackled the confusion caused by pain, and stands on the brink of the unfolding of new possibilities.


Workshops

Black Eyes Don’t = L.O.V.E

Domestic Violence is a societal problem of epidemic proportions. Experts estimate that 2 to 4 million women are battered every year and between 3.3 and 10 million children witness violence in their homes. This workshop is designed to increase empathy for victims and promote community awareness. Individuals who participate in this informative workshop will gain an understanding of domestic violence, its’ warning signs, and the psychological effects abuse has on a victim and a victim's children. Upon completion of this workshop attendees will be able to identify domestic abuse, understand a victim’s rights, establish a safety plan, and learn how to assist a victim/family member dealing with domestic abuse. This presentation is very informative, and interactive. This workshop varies to accommodate age appropriateness.


Dispatch 911

"I told but no one believed me." Does this sound familiar? Have you been a victim of sexual assault, molestation, incest, or rape? Have you ever tried to tell someone and they didn’t believe you? Many victims of sexual violence have experienced this scenario. Most people who experience this scenario feel as though they have no other options. DISPATCH 911 was designed to identify sexual violence against children, and to help people become aware of signs, behaviors, and psychological affects sexual abuse has on a victim. Upon completion of this workshop attendees will be able to understand sexual abuse, how to identify abuse, and how to protect and prevent sexual violence in their community.
SuperSTAR Teens: Building Self-Esteem Teenage years are the most challenging years in our lives. As teens we are faced daily with the pressures of our peers, and influence that can break down our confidence and destroy our self esteem.

Understanding who you are and gathering your own personal concept helps to establish internal motivation and in return gradually builds self esteem. This fun interactive workshop will help teens to understanding their self esteem and to face the truth about how they feel about themselves. The workshop will discuss affects of low self esteem, and how it can cause other problems such as depression, and academic failure. Through self esteem and confidence activities participants should learn about highs and lows of self esteem—suggestions will be provided on how to maintain positive self esteem, and learn to love the SuperSTAR within.


Artistic Expression

Let’s write poetry! Let’s write short stories! Let’s be creative! This workshop is fun and laid back, available for all ages. Whether you are a writer, or dream to become a writer let’s explore the hidden elements of creativity hidden between the matrix of your thoughts. Come laugh, write, share, and explore artistic expression. Participants will learn about different styles of writing poetry, and short stories.



Booking/Contact Information

919-824-0494
Email: bookings@monicadaye.com or info@monicadaye.com
Available for speaking engagements, poetry presentations, and workshops
Book Monica Daye for your next event…Call today!




KEMET
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This Songtress is gearing up her poetic vocals and is becoming North Carolina's own song-bird....She is also 1-third of the collaborative-spoken word group called "The Experience" who have had the honors of sharing the stage with Saul Williams, Dasan Ahanu, Monica Daye and many other amazing artist. The Experience also Performed for the cast of The Vagina Monologues, I Am BEAUTIFUL production for Carolina Union Cabaret, Western Carolina's poet and painter series. KEMET is also one of the rising stars to watch in "BLACK POETRY THEATRE"... Keep your eyes on this rising jewel. Born in Newburgh, NY K E M E T started singing professionally at the age of 12 in various singing groups around the NY area. First singing group was called "Petite" . Then she went solo and was known as "Kenne" short for Kennethia. She ventured one more time in a female trio called "She". Her love for words and sound has always been deeply in her to write lyrics and create music. It was easy for her to transform her love of the art into Poetry. " Living above a recording studio, ( Yorks Productions) in Bushwick,BKLYN ...you could imagine what my play time was like.... I used that to my learning advantage..."I've been strumming the guitar now for a year and half and I love it.... I play what my heart must sound like if it ever struck a chord...K E M E T often say's, "My spirit must be fed by reciprocated energy. That is what connects us ALL to the "ALL" through our expressions, we create worlds. Whether it be to escape/grow/learn/teach/love. Returning to her passion of words and sound at a much more matured approach on life. K E M E T often say's... I am the driver behind these wheels now. Me and my Creator gonna go for a heck of a ride!!!!!!"
Rhonda Royal Hatton
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Rhonda Royal Hatton was born and raised in the inner city of Camden, New Jersey. At the tender age of five years Rhonda knew that she was destined to be someone special. She began by memorizing and reciting commercials, then writing poetry and plays at the age of ten. At 14, Rhonda gave her life to the Lord and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. A young woman on fire for God, Rhonda realized her talents and decided to use her gifts to reach souls for Christ, thus she founded the drama troupe "The Gifts of God". She began writing and reciting spiritual poetry and sharing the Word of God as a junior evangelist in her local assembly.
 
Just a teen herself and raised in a home with a father who suffered from the disease of addiction, the Lord led Rhonda to write the play "Intoxication: Don't Get High" Give Jesus A Try!” Rhonda auditioned and cast local teens, many who also had been touched by addiction in some way. The troupe traveled the New Jersey/Philadelphia area ministering through drama, dance and song at churches, schools and community centers. Many people were touched and delivered by this powerful play.
 
Upon moving to Durham, NC, Rhonda attended North Carolina Central University and acquired her Bachelor's Degree in Theater Education. She has written, directed and performed in numerous plays and independent films in her career. She served for several years as a high school drama instructor and fourth grade elementary school teacher, where she incorporated the performing arts into her curriculum and found the students to be more attentive and interactive due to this method of teaching. She has also founded a nonprofit corporation entitled Gifts of God Ministries that focuses on spreading the delivering power of Jesus Christ through the performing arts and aiding women and children in transition. Rhonda recently co-wrote, acted in and directed the gospel stage play "Yet! Praise Him!" which was produced through Gifts of God Ministries. The play has received rave reviews and many testimonies of changed lives. She is a Spoken Word Artist and Poet and recently had her first book of poetry published entitled Revelations: A Book of Ministerial Monologues and Prophetic Poetry. A founding member of The Church of The Apostolic Revival, International in Durham, she is the Director of the Drama Ministry, Advisor to the Dance Ministry and also serves on the Board of Directors for the church. She is President of the Social Missionary Board and is also a licensed Field Missionary where she has had the ministry opportunity to travel abroad and share the gospel with brothers and sisters in Africa and Brazil. Rhonda completed her Masters Degree in Church Ministries with a concentration in Christian Education at Duke University Divinity School in Durham. She is currently a Doctoral candidate where she is pursuing her Ed.D in Pastoral Community Counseling.

Rhonda is employed as the Outreach Minister to the campus of NCCU and the surrounding community by the Church of the Abiding Savior, Lutheran in Durham. She along with Pastor Gordon Myers has created Living Words: An Evening of Open Mic & Spoken Word Poetry. This event provides the opportunity for artists to share their gifts in a safe place and welcoming community. Many have been blessed and encouraged by this venue. Her future aspirations are to spread the message of God's saving grace and liberating power all over the world, through the performing arts and the spoken Word! Rhonda resides in Durham with her husband of 18 years Deacon Ian Hatton and two daughters, Ianna (11) and India (6).
Regina L. Johnson
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Born and Raised in Durham, NC Regina got her start at Vibes Open Mic at the Montas Lounge to a former member of Poetic group Silent Myndz Entertainment. Over the years she has made a Poetry CD called ‘My Life In Words’ and a Mini Chap book called ‘Reading Off Paper’.  Regina has transitioned from Love Poet into a guest speaker at several community events speaking on Love, Domestic Violence, Self Love and the power of God to help reach our youth. She has participated in events like the DPR Gospel Extravaganza, Durham’s 40th Anniversary Bimbe Culteral Arts Festival, Durham Art Walk, She has marched through the streets of East Durham with Love and Respect, a Durham Organization trying to keep our youth out of the streets. She auditioned at NCCU in 2008 for Women’s Empowerment. She has been a returning Guest Speaker for DPRs East Durham Rec event, Prelude to Purpose, an event trying to teach teenagers about their Purpose in life. Regina has also been a guest speaker at United Assembly for Christ during their Daughters of Destiny “God’s Gem Brunch” as well as at NCCU for the Durham County Women’s Commission “Teen Action” Session. She loves speaking to all the kids. Trying to help keep them focused on education first and  showing them other positive aspects of life.   ‘Once I’m done it makes me feel complete, like maybe I’ve just made someone’s life a little better, if only for a few minutes, hours, or prayerfully a lifetime’. Her motto is you never know what kind of impact you can have on a person’s life. Show them the “Road Not Taken” and open their eyes to the fact that they have other options and hope they choose the one that will lead them in the right direction, the one pleasing to God.  

Novelist Myi-Shanka McMillian

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Novelist Myi-Shanka McMillian is a native of Wilmington, NC born on December 29, 1983. Myi-Shanka has decided to climb mountains of achievement no matter how high or out of reach they may appear. Myi-Shanka is a phenomenal motivational speaker who strives to lift her audience through her personal testimony. In addition, her passion is to empower people to strive after venues of achievement. In the last past ten years, Myi-Shanka has changed many lives of children, teens and adults. Many of them have been through domestic violence, abuse, addiction and many other unrelenting situations. By utilizing her gift to effectively communicate through motivational forums; she has maximized the individual potential of many people’s lives through positive redirection, counseling, leadership, behavior interventions and conflict resolution skills. Furthermore, she has personally developed life skill interventions that will ultimately help members of our community reach their highest ability to function within its configuration.
On July 10, 2010 Myi-Shanka release her first Novel, The Little Girl Inside of Me. The Little Girl Inside of Me describes encounters of both physical and sexual abuse endured by a little girl who searched for venues of escape; however, found herself restrained to her mother’s abuse. This book overviews her thirst to be removed from her mother’s home and her journey to reach healing for the little girl that harbors inside of her. This Novel speaks out for the little girl with a passive voice screaming I want to be healed; however, remains powerless at the hand of her abuser. I invite you to travel through the pages of this novel to witness a little girl HEALED!
Please accept this Bio as an expression of Myi-Shanka’s genuine interest to share one of her electrifying forums in attempt to help people unveil the value in their life. Myi-Shanka believes “A Dream Can Never Be Reality without YOU pursuing it!” It’s definitely time to pursue!
Sincerely,
Novelist Myi-Shanka McMillian http://expressionsofmyheart.org (919) 724-9733


Vespertine
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Born Timothy Simpson, On April 10, 1987, a Durham, North Carolinian, went to school at Hillside High School to study the arts. His original plan was to pursue a career in the music industry, but he had soon changed his mind and returned his love for words, an art form, according to him, has the potential to change the world.
Having landed on the poetic radar like some kind of a phantom battleship, this Durham native continues to fires away at us, sinking nay-sayers and making a name for himself at a rate which some might consider alarming. It is at this point that Vespertine's growth as an artist should be marked. In moments time, he’s established a locally reaching reputation for sonic excellence in the spoken word community. Being described from individuals as "One of the most energetic and outspoken poets", Vespertine's words is a force from the heart heading towards open minds. That's maybe why his personality is out of this world.

Ves is on a mission to see how far the music and his words can spread through truly independent efforts. With an upcoming release entitled "Datura" (2011), an ethereal collage of neo-soul, jazz- and deep house, hip-hop, and abstract broken beat. As a follow up to his first release "Spring Haze - EP" (2010), a blend of early experimental recordings, as such as, "The Way", he confess his love for another man over layered trippy hip-hop beats. "Blues For Blue", he bares his soul with the struggles of his past, while catching rhythm of the haunting funkadelic beats.

By combining, the spiritual essences of Joni Mitchell, mixed with the abstraction of Bjork, the spaciness of Tori Amos and the heartbeat of Dilla (J Dilla), his artistry menagerie is packed with the influences as diverse as his heritage.



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Andra Kellon
Mr. Andra Kellon is seeking his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina. He started writing poetry in 2006 and began performing Spoken Word in December of 2010.

His dream and desire is to bring God's will for his life into fruition. His testimony is strong for he proclaims that the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob redeemed him from a life of tormenting, deteriorating, and habitual sin. He is on a divine mission and serves God with a undeniable intensity. For it is his great pleasure to see captives set free and living lives of righteous, holy, and divine joy!

Facebook.com/andra.kellon       YouTube.com/AKELLON100             ReverbNation.com/mrsupreme 
kellonandra@aol.com                                                919-520-1144

"Redeemed solidier with miracles for testimonies!".....?

"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." ~ (Joel 2:25)