Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lamont Kellum. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started writing poetry and spoken word at about 11 years old. Initially it was just to express myself and get what was on my mind, off. I never had intentions on sharing anything because my writings were me at my most vulnerable state. I was dealing with too many insecurities and mental health issues growing up that wouldn’t allow me to share or expose my entity with anyone. As I got older and my experiences grew, so did the context of my poetry and writings. After being wrongfully convicted to life, I lost my drive to write for a while. I started back when, one night I sat up late on my bunk and decided to write out my thoughts. Upon waking up, my celly at the time had my paper in his hand, reading my spoken words with tears in his eyes and a conversation ensued. At that moment I understood the power of words and felt that if I can help him with my writings while in our predicament at the time, how many others would my poetry affect and help with what they may be going through. I was still reluctant to share everything with the world, but my drive came back to me to get back to writing and things took off from there. But my passion was and still is, to change the way the world looks at poetry and spoken word by how I deliver and present mine. I want to change the dynamics and importance for those who love the art of story telling through poetry and spoken word like do.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being and artist is to inspire. There are so many creative people with a story to tell. If I can do it, they can do it. It’s really about finding the courage to be your altruistic self and stand in that divinity. Take the story, the bruises and scars it comes with, grow from it, then tell it. You never know what you help people with or even who you’re helping by standing in your element and giving what you have. The greatest human act is to inspire, that’s the greatest reward.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to change a recycled cycle. Change the narrative for the generation coming up under me to not go through what I am. My life has been very much so based on a narrative I thought to be true due to my upbringing, so my mission is to recreate that narrative for empowerment and prosperity. Through my poetry, spoken word, and writing; my messages are exposing my mission and my creative journey is the key to unlock a deadbolt that keeps the youth that’s going what I went through growing up locked in. Ongoing short term goal is empowering, but the mission is change and growth.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://linktr.ee/FREECCHOLOGANG
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/FREECCHOLOGANG
• Audiobook: https://open.spotify.com/show/5mCkHJPMtCygaZEm6MYl0x?si=8ad8e10a2a4e449f

Image Credits
Sue Kellum