Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Riddle.
Jordan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started writing poetry my sophomore year of high school and quickly realized I had a gift. I was able to demand the attention of my audience with my poems, so I began to write about topics that mattered to me the most. Injustice and inequalities challenged with complex rhyme schemes enabled me to reach an audience I could have never imagined. I was blessed to have made the Meta-Four youth slam team and competed internationally at Brave New Voices where we placed 5th in the world. Upon graduation, I continued my education at Prairie View A&M where I became Vice President of Triple P, a poetry organization dedicated to creating a safe space for creatives to express themselves in the form of open mics and various events. Myself along with three other poets in Triple P spent most of the year preparing to compete in CUPSI, Which is the collegiate poetry slam, but due to the epidemic, the slam was canceled.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Speaking up for myself at a young age was difficult for me, so I often wound up being taken advantage of by those disguised as friends. It wasn’t until I began to compete in poetry slams that I became more confident and outgoing. While still being anxious in front of large crowds, I find it easier to speak to people when I have a story to tell. Growing up an isolated introvert, I didn’t think anyone truly cared to hear me speak. Now I am applauded for saying the very things I have thought to myself all along.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Triple P is an on campus poetry organization dedicated to creating a safe place for creatives to express themselves through weekly open mics.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents showed their support from the very beginning. Afraid to speak on my ambitions, I joined the Red Poet Society, a poetry club at Cypress Lakes High, sponsored by Katina Politte without telling anyone. After performing a few pieces in our safe space, Mrs. Politte saw everything in me before I did, and pushed me to write as much as I could. Her love and support lined me up with the Meta-four auditions and propelled me into the world of poetry I now dearly love. My coach Emanuelee Bean pushed me to write outside of my comfort zone to better my penmanship, and my teammates Jackson, Lyn, Adam, Don, And Sebastian all aided in my growth by not only being dependable teammates but becoming lifelong family members.
Contact Info:
- Twitter: @triplepvamu
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