Season 1
Episode 1
Dennis Amadeus
Poet. Educator. Activist
Dennis Amadeus is a nationally traveled spoken word artist, writer, teaching artists and youth advocate. From mentoring youth poets and keynote speaking engagements to curriculum design and implementation of dynamic art-based educational programming,
Dennis has built a career grounded by his passion to teach and inspire young people about the transformative power of poetry and expression.
As an artist/teaching artist, he has traveled extensively across the nation performing and conducting art-based educational workshops aimed at getting youth to see their creative potential and offer an outlet for social emotional and mental health development.
He has been a Tampa representative in 2 National Poetry Slam competitions (one team and one as an individual) and 5 Southern Fried Southeast Regional competitions placing 6th (out of 150+ poets) overall in 2017.
He is a member of the international poetry collective Black on Black Rhyme. He is the founder of Ask Me To Do A Poem, co-curator of GrowHouse, LLC events, and continues to bring spoken word and poetry to underserved youth in schools, juvenile detention centers, group homes and anywhere else they can be reached.
Above all, Dennis believes in the power of community and self-discovery that poetry has given him and wants to help highlight that power in others.
Episode 2
J'Nelle
Singer. Songwriter. Mentor
Allowing no limits in life, Janelle "J'Nelle" Richardson continues to persevere through obstacles as she becomes a star on the rise. Born in Tampa, FL and of Trinidadian decent, her passion and gift for music was developed at a young age of 4 years old. As a vocal producer, singer, vocal coach, and songwriter, her gift's have been used as an encouraging message worldwide through her fascinating work of art..
Her passion goes beyond the singer and songwriter that she is known to be. J'Nelle is very versatile when it comes to music as a whole. The up and coming star is touching places around the world with her infusion of RnB and Soca genres. With her latest single and EP, J'Nelle is venturing out to her Trinidadian roots and reaching out to the masses worldwide.
Alongside launching her brand Queen Talk, J'Nelle released her Crystal Clear EP on May 11, 2018 and new music in 2019. With her persistency to become one of the most versatile artists of all time, she continues to strive and excel in the industry with a positive message through her wondrous work of art. J'Nelle is succeeding in pouring her music all around the globe and reinventing the music culture.
https://www.iamjnelle.com/
Episode 3
Michelle Morton
Poet. Creator. Advocate
Michelle Morton (PoetSheIs) was born in Tampa, Florida. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Journalism and Disciplinary Studies. Michelle has experience working in the political news arena of broadcast television in Washington DC. In addition, she received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
She moved back to Tampa four years ago with the mission to use the tools she learned to restore and build her community. Michelle is an Advocate, Clinical Therapist, Coach, Writer, Spoken Word Artist and Speaker. Her passion is to serve the young girls and women of her community. In 2018, Michelle founded As She Speaks Coaching.
As She Speaks Coaching is dedicated to helping women fulfill their calling. Her purpose and mission is to help women find their voice, heal and walk in the fullness of their calling. She has successfully had ongoing events such as As She Speaks Open Mic, and Mental Health and Writing workshops to help women in her community. As She Speaks Open Mic has also been featured in Creative Loafing.
https://www.facebook.com/PoetSheIs
Episode 4
Jamie Dawson
Writer. Singer. Actor
Based in Brooklyn, NY, Jamie Dawson is a master of spoken word and a songstress of sultry and introspective vocals. In conjunction with strong stage presence, Jamie Dawson is a formidable talent ready to impact audiences. Whether in theater, film, music or an experimental venture thereof, request the artistic services of Dawsontheartist and let the magic making begin.
Episode 5
King Soul
Poet. Storyteller. Motivator
With the motto "Never Stop Growing" this young poet born and raised in Tampa, FL offers a different perspective on how you should see life! King Soul first started writing at the age of 16, as a coping mechanism to express his ongoing frustrations in his surrounding environment. It was during this time that he began to experience the power of his words. Now with over 10 years of experience he still continuously works to perfect his craft, all while sharing his life story. King Soul has performed at Black on Black Rhyme Tampa, Pinot and Poetry, Straight Up Poetry, Storytellers and Lyricist, and many more. With his ability to instantly become a wordsmith telling stories that you not only can feel but also see if you are willing to close your eyes and open your mind.
Episode 6
TV. Writes
Writer. Poet. Mental Health Advocate
Tiffany Vitale (tv writes) is a social worker, writer, occasional blogger, and spoken word artist born and raised in Brooklyn, NY; she has made Tampa, Florida home-base for the last ten years. TV is consistently questioning the world around her, bringing voice to the overlooked and under-discussed details of the human experience. Over the years, she has learned there is strength and healing to be found in honest conversations and vulnerable story-telling. TV is a wife, mother, and WHOLE health advocate who discusses a wide range of topics from culture & mental health, to favorite self-care routines and random beauty & health hacks. She is a self professed “forever student” (literally pay her to be in school forever) and you can typically find her reading, improving her Spanish, and meal prepping while telling you all about why “community” is wondrous!
Episode 7
Randi J. Norman
Writer. Poet. Singer
Speaker, Writer, Singer, Actor - all words that describe the creative force known as Randi Norman.
Over the past 20 years, she has been developing her gift of the spoken and written word. Randi has written and performed several spoken word pieces, most notably, “Brokenness”, “Rollercoasters” and “I Wish I Had A Red Dress”.
Additionally, she has hosted many events, including several women’s conferences, luncheons and fashion shows. She has been seen on panels and featured as a keynote speaker for Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Uniquely Qualified Women’s Empowerment event.
When she’s not on stage, Randi spends her time serving her local church, Revealing Truth Ministries, where she is also currently the Director of Communications. She has dedicated her life to serving God’s people and demonstrating His love with her gifts, all of which were sharpened through her service.
Randi is a proud graduate of the MBA program at Florida A&M University’s School of Business & Industry. She lives in Riverview, FL with her husband, Gary Norman, II, and their two beautiful children, Leila and Gary, III (Trey).