I’ve been writing poetry since I was twelve years old. Ten years ago, I started Roaring Rhetoric, an open mic showcase for spoken word poetry and other artistic expressions. Eventually, teaching kids how to find their own roar felt like a natural next step.

I’ve always been passionate about education, and through my experience as a teacher I found that I was successful in guiding people to find themselves through writing. Four years ago, I decided to develop my own teaching program, Young Lions Roar. With a number of talented poets and educators, Young Lions Roar uses workshops, mentorships, and classroom programming to nurture the voice of the youth.

I am a firm believer that art is a strong force in discovering oneself, and both Roaring Rhetoric and Young Lions Roar support that mission. Our work gives kids a place to be creative, be heard, and be supported. Through this program, I’ve seen kids break out of their shells, grow confidence, and learn to share their voices unapologetically.
Founding Young Lions Roar has not only allowed its participants to embrace their power as artists, but allowed me to appreciate my power as a mentor. It’s an honor to work with these students and give them a safe space where we can learn and grow together. We’re all finding our voice, and all of our voices matter.