Today we’d like to introduce you to Jae Nichelle.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started writing because I had to, and I keep writing because I have to. I grew up a very shy, nerdy Black girl with little to no self-confidence, and with a huge love for fiction and poetry. As this predictable story goes, reading and writing became my escapes from reality; and writing became the best way I knew how express myself. I never expected to share my poems on a stage at all. But after a teacher introduced me to spoken word and slam poetry in high school, I hesitantly gave it a try and loved it instantly. When I get on stage I feel like the best version of myself. I feel confident, loved, and free.
Please tell us about your art.
I fling my deepest and wildest thoughts onto paper and call them poetry. Then I share them with anyone who will listen. Personally, I write to free myself and to love myself, and I hope anyone who reads or listens can feel as free and as loved. I write for women like me who sometimes don’t realize the power of their voice, who were told they were too little, too much, too Black, and not Black enough all at the same time. I hope that people who identify with my work can take this from it: I see you, I hear you, and I’m with you.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
As someone who has been advised many times to “stick with a real job” and keep writing “as a hobby,” I hear financial concerns on a spiritual level. I truly think that it comes down to doing what’s best for you. If you are not yet in a place where your art is making you enough money to sustain yourself with, there is nothing wrong with putting other skills to use. However, sometimes that leap of faith (and subsequent struggle) is a necessary part of your journey. My advice is two-fold: 1) trust yourself. 2) do not sacrifice your happiness or well-being for anything, anyone, or any income.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
To see a list of my published poetry, videos, and articles please go here: https://pofoundetry.com/published-poetry-and-adverts/
To stay up-to-date on ways to support me and my impending book, please like my page on Facebook: Facebook.com/jaenichellespokenword
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pofoundetry.com
- Email: jaenichelle@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/croptopassassin
- Facebook: facebook.com/jaenichellespokenword
- Twitter: twitter.com/croptopassassin
Image Credit:
Sarah Hoffman, Christopher Diaz Photography
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