Spoken Stories

Jermaine "mainMAN" Monroe Artist/Activist/Poet/Emcee/Painter/Author/Playwright/Illustrator/Designer -Founder/CEO of mainATTRACTIONs, a Multimedia Marketing Firm -Founder/EnVisioneer of mainTAINment, a production company -Executive Director of the Greensboro School of Poetry, a Nonprofit Afterschool         Collective that teaches literacy & life skills through poetry & Hip-Hop -Program Director of M.A.D.E., a neighborhood youth leadership program that empowers teenagers to career development -Member of W.O.R.D. Society, an artistic conglomerate of writers -2017 Greensboro Wordplay Grand Slam Poetry Champion and host of the Gatekeepers Slam​ With musical artists, T. Walker.

True Butterfly has been writing poetry for about 15 years. It started as a way to get her feelings out and process her thoughts. Poetry has proven to be a good outlet for her. Adrienne believes that everyone should have an outlet. Her outlet has led to her becoming a published author. Her first book, is a book of poetry entitled Butterfly Flow. Adrienne has since written 2 more books, Finding Your Flow: A Butterfly’s Secret to Happiness (workbook) and the Butterfly Flow Journal. You can find more on Adrienne at:  www.adrienne-charleston.com. With musical guest Allie Capo, this amazing songbird is a master of many crafts from modeling to singing, to thrifting to playing her guitar.. This episode will be sure to sooth your artistic side, stay tuned...

Greatly en-kindled by the many poems of Langston Hughes, "Tr1umph@nt!" began to write his own poetry by age 12. Inspired by the "Motown Sound" with which his parents surrounded him, the artist began to write songs. Inspired by 90's 'Boom Bap' and 'Hiphop' culture, "Tr1umph@nt!" embarked on the journey to find his voice as an MC. Nine states and many years later, "Tr1umph@nt!" remains true to his name.

William “Endlesswill” Davis, author of Broken Perception and Falling apples, is a spoken word artist who is dedicated to continuing the tradition of poetry in living form. Ambitious in his craft and performance, Endlesswill offers audiences unforgettable performances that evoke thought, introspection, and connection as a community. With musical guest Marquis Goddi.

Blaize writes poetry that carries a profound appreciation for heartfelt honesty and a passion against all prejudices in powerful spoken word art form. With musical guest Sofree Wisdom. Representing Raleigh, North Carolina, the beautiful singer-songwriter SoFree Wisdom has positioned herself to capture the eyes and ears of the industry. With her harmonic melodies, soulful style and charismatic performance energy, the world will soon know of her incredible ability to produce classic material with ease. 

Ajani Kambon, was born in Fort Riley Kansas.  A published author, his most recent book and first book "Najir and the Teaching Fruit," has been embraced by the Triangle masses with open arms.  A noted Feature artist through his writing of books and music, he hopes to continue to share his vision and fulfill his purpose as an artist. With musical guest Cyrano,  who says growing up during the Golden Age of Hip Hop was the perfect backdrop to creating an emcee.

Maestra is a Hip Hop artist from Durham NC. She graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette NC with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre-Acting and Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She centers her music from her experiences growing into a young adult and important things for the youth to be taught (hence the name Maestra). Maestra not only evokes the essence of hip hop with her lyrics, she is a brillant songbird who always leaves her audience wanting more. With your host Endlesswill, spitting the poems for the hour.

Nate Mask and Ryan J are internationally touring spoken word artists based out of Atlanta, GA. Both have competed and found success in the Slam community at national, regional, and local levels, and whose poems have received over 900,000 views online. They are tolerated in their local scene because their poems are somewhat entertaining, but nobody actually likes either of them. With music from Kain and Jrusalam.

Ayanna Albertson is a poet and  writer amongst many other things. Spending most of her life in North Carolina, Ayanna's poetry embodies the lifestyle of a southern black woman mixed with wit yet simplistic substance. In the last year, Ayanna has participated in various slam poetry competitions across the county, has won Grand Slam Champion at the Bull City Slam for a consecutive 2 years, and has used her gift of words in various platforms in order to impact and inspire others. Ayanna is very passionate about social justice, human rights, and civil rights, and desires to be a voice for anyone who would allow her to be. Ayanna's motto is "I don't wish to be famous, I just want to be heard." With God, her family and friends by her side, Ayanna believes her gift of words will take her far. With musical guest, hand picked by the feature poet herself; A. Yoni.

Fuze Aquene Namid (fuse a/keen nah/meed) is a poet, creative writer, author, visual/graphic artist, philosopher and spiritualist.  For the past 17 years, his expression entity known as i*stimyouleye (eye/stim/you/lie) has provided creative writing, visual and audio concepts for book, music, film, commercial, and workshop purposes.  His latest work is book #14 from his Langston Fuze Publishing collection entitled, LOVE POEMS FROM ASAR. In the words of a 6th grade student who witnessed Fuze speak at her school: "He's class without pretend... style without offense...A field beneath the freeways and New York with country ways… He never talks of freedom because he lives it everyday." With musical feature, Nacynze a local group who focuses on being hip/hop back to its roots.

It’s about finding a way to mix up your craft and giving people something new, and raw, and exciting. Once you’ve found a way to mix it then you have to master it. It’s hard to stay focused and do what you need to do in order to get to where you want to be. It takes self discipline, everyday. If I’m not writing I’m trying to master something I’ve already written. And I do this because I’m gunning for the top spot. Even Kendrick Lamar said in an interview that he’s got to practice everyday because he knows there’s a 16 year old kid out there trying to take his spot. I want that spot badly. These words are being spoken by an amazing young artist who goes by Blavk San. With musical guest, 2017 Carolina music hip hop artist of the year, OC from NC.

Dr. Acquilla Faye is known for sharing the Creator’s Love as a Global​ Life Transformation Guide & Strategist, Media Empress, poet and Devoted mother. She is a Best Selling Author, Internationally recognized and Awarding winning ​educator, media personality, and artist .  Her media presence helps optimize peace, clarity and productivity to help 1,000,000,000’s people spiritually, emotionally and intellectually to increase positive relationships with themselves and others. Her media and publications are centered on the 5 Es- Educate, Empower, Elevate, Entertain, and Enterprise. With musical guest, Tyson C who is a artistic genius with the Alto Saxophone.

NakitaJay Poet began writing poetry around the age of 9. “A World In Tune” was her first poem written in grade school where she won first place in a writing competition. From that experience her love of the arts was born. Now a noted featured artist and lyrical diva with the pen, NakitaJay joins us to talk about her success as a performing artist. With musical feature being 2015 Hip Hop artist of the year Defacto Thezpian.

Eboni Dean, born and raised in Durham, NC. Hillside bread local artist, basketball player for Barton college and has been heating up the triangle scene for some time with her poetic pen. With musical feature Justin the BeLoved; whether opening for Grammy-award winning artist Fred Hammond, or performing at a private party for a special event, Justin The BeLoved puts his heart and soul into every performance. Ladies and gentleman this episode is filled with passion!

As the founder of the Press Play Poetz collective, DS Will has always been aware that writing can be a form of expression, a way to educate, or a means to escape. Be it through his skill as an MC, his ability as a poet, or serving as the voice of the jettisoned, through his blog, he has realized the power of the spoken and “non-spoken” word! With over 15 years of writing and performing to his credit, DS has concluded that he has only arrived at the tipping point of his journey. With Musical feature Jrusalam one of the Founders of Cypher University which originated at NC State.

Have you ever undergone a metamorphosis? A change that rewired the workings of your own self-perception? Well our feature Travis Kyng is going to let us know all about his personal growth within himself as a poet a man as he as embraced his rewiring. A published author whose most recent book The Phoenix That Rose From Water  has left readers in amazement, a spoken word artist, and whole hearted genuine person.  Today Ladies and Gentleman I am welcoming Travis Kyng with musical guest Shame Clark a Raleigh Native who’s music is bring hip hop back to its roots.

Naima has been taking the Triangle area by storm. Naima has significant accomplishments within the New York City area as a performance poet and produces and directs theatrical works. Originally from Brooklyn NY, a recent resident, of Raleigh North Carolina, Ince-Griffiths has already left her signature mark at various spoken word venues. Some highlights include; directing an original one act play entitled Men Always Leave; at the first annual Women’s Theater Festival NC. With musical guest, representing Raleigh, North Carolina, the beautiful singer-songwriter SoFree Wisdom.  She has positioned herself to capture the eyes and ears of the industry. With her harmonic melodies, soulful style and charismatic performance energy, the world will soon know of her incredible ability to produce classic material with ease.

A proud veteran officer of the US Navy, a former aerospace product manufacturing engineer, an actor, a filmmaker and a spoken word artist sounds more like the beginning of a joke than the introduction bio of one person but low and behold, all of these and many more titles are a part of the resume for Shawn T Singletary, also known as Chamber 7. A modest many of many talents who wishes to share his journey with other passionate people who are serious about their craft. With musical guest being North Carolina’s own, Kain; a hip-hop artist who uses music to uplift our youth and enlighten our word on the struggles of our society.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest on episode 5. Someone I consider a friend and a mentor in this poetic life. Listeners, 4/11/2018 welcomes Joseph Churchwell . -Owner of Jablaze productions -An amazing Poet -Host -Play Writer -Music Consultant -Graphic Designer With musical guest and, another good friend of mine, Eternal The M.C.. This episode is guaranteed to be packed with enjoyment.

Gary Phillips is the 2016-2018 poet laureate of Carrboro, North Carolina. He is a writer, naturalist and entrepreneur. He lives in a rammed earth house with his wife Ilana Dubester. Gary avidly reads poetry and anthropological science fiction, studies amphibian activities on full moon nights and was once chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. His book of poetry and occasional pieces, The Boy The Brave Girls was printed in 2016 by Human Error Publishing (Wendell, Mass). With our musical feature being Kaira Ba.