Meet LaKia “Kanei” Mitchell of Kanei Poetry in North side

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaKia ” Kanei” Mitchell.

LaKia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The journey from Lakia Mitchell to Kanei Poetry is a long, complex, and ongoing transition. I was born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania. My life was far from ideal. Our family experienced the all too familiar inner-city limitations: low income, a broken home, poor schooling, and unconscionable abuse. My formative years were marked by pain and instability.

There was a brief period when, as a teenager, I was able to suppress the effects of my unstable upbringing. I began to do well in school and became a winning, nationally ranked track star. I even dared to plan for a decent future. However, fear (and insecurity) led to many poor decisions. I became a teenage mom and bounced from one bad relationship to the next. My wake-up call came after I was nearly killed by a brutally violent boyfriend.

I had to be rebuilt—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It took nearly losing my mind to find my voice. I discovered sanity in my creativity and found inspiration in being a mother. I went back to school and became a nurse. As I studied, I wrote. I wrote about my life, my loves, my desires, and my anger. I earned several academic degrees and recorded every aspect of my growth in spoken word. Losing my mother to cancer nearly derailed me once again. Instead, Death is a sobering reality check. It can either dismantle or reconstruct you. I chose the latter and turned my agony into words; found strength and inspiration in my memories of her. It still hurts, but I’m a soldier; a survivor.

My life was literally summed up in verses, rhythms, metaphors, and symbolism. I earned a degree to pay the bills and learned to perform to ease my pain. Some people yell, I spit. I spend my days healing the sick, and my nights mending my mind. Last year, I produced my first spoken word album, SHe, by Kanei Poetry. I call it an extension of the woman I learned to love, imperfections, and all. I continue to develop as an artist and businesswoman: I produce and host one of the most successful monthly poetry shows at the renowned Houston Improv. Moreover, because words are my release, I am also working on a memoir.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am my greatest obstacle. My life has been a series of bad relationships and poor choices. I take full responsibility for all of it; the good, the bad, the avoidable. I am not lamenting my past decisions, nor will I. I’ve lived long enough to realize I needed the detours to help me find my way. Admittedly, as I was going through my greatest trials, there were moments when I wanted to give up. I asked, “Why me?” and “What did I do to deserve this?” Men that were supposed to love me abused me. Family that was supposed to care, neglected me. The life I had was so counterintuitive to the life I prayed for. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. I now live a life worth having.

Kanei Poetry – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
I have worked tirelessly for two decades to build myself as a successful, marketable brand. Kanei Poetry and SHe by Kanei Poetry are two of the most recognized names in the poetry industry. I am an award-winning spoken word artist. My poetry album, SHe, (available on all major streaming services including Spotify, Tidal, Pandora and Apple Music), is one of the most downloaded collections in the genre.

If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
No regrets, I am satisfied with my reflection, although flawed constantly seeking ways to improve, smiling for me is success… The markers, meeting personal goals whether it be to lose 5 lbs in a month or drop an award-winning album, stay the course. Help someone. Staying humble. Being able to go to sleep lighthearted and waking up thankful…

I honestly would not change a thing about my life (past or present) because every experience helped me become a better person. I live my life with no regrets. I refuse to be a prisoner of my past. I always say, “My past made me SHe, and SHe is one of the strongest, most courageous and deeply genuine people you will ever meet.

Why would I change the course of my life? I raised a smart, successful daughter (who blessed me with the perfect grandson). I am an accomplished nursing professional. I am a leading personality in the spoken word industry. I am socially conscious and an active member of our community; I live a good life, surrounded by loving, caring people. A difficult road led me here. It was worth it. Everything about my past set me up to fail. I didn’t. So, these days, I welcome challenges and obstacles because they help me evolve and grow and keep me from becoming complacent.