We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kim B Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kim below.

Kim, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I initially stayed to myself and I didn’t dive deep into poetry. I wanted to be authentic. I wanted to find my own voice/cadence. I didn’t want to be an echo of anyone else. Looking back, I would not change a thing. I learned how to “poet” at my own pace. I initially avoided poetry events before I felt like I had a handle on my style. After that, I went to as many open mic events as possible. I listened and I embraced poetry fully.

The skills that I think are essential for an great spoken word poet are the ability to feel words and the ability to paint pictures with words. The poem has to speak to people. Spoken word poets make words tangible. It is not an act. It is really expressive artistry.

I was the obstacle that stood in the way of me learning more poetic forms. I’m just being honest. I thought structured poetry was too much work. I initially didn’t attempt any structured poetry because I thought it was way too restrictive. I was so wrong. Now I’m in love with triptych and haiku. I am especially in love with haiku (non-traditional form). I look back now and I can’t imagine where I would be as a poet without haiku. My haiku have afforded me many honors; I’m the DMV (DC, MD, VA) Renaissance Awards 2022 Haikuist Of The Year. I’m also the DMV Renaissance Awards 2021 Haikuist Of The Year. I’m the 2019 Southern Fried Haiku Champion. Southern Fried Poetry Slam is one of the largest Spoken Word and Performance Poetry tournaments in the world.

Kim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Kim B Miller. I am a speaker, facilitator and a spoken word poet. I’m Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, VA Poet Laureate Emerita. I am the first (and currently the only) Black Poet Laureate for that region. I touch people with words. I think that is my calling and who I was born to be. I’m a Christian who believes we all are here for a reason, to fulfill our purposes.

Voice of America-VOA did a documentary on me. Voice of America is the largest and oldest US funded international broadcaster. I was also featured on WTOP, 103.5 FM.

I’m the author of several books and I have an online poetic store that carries my messages on several items.

I host a podcast on YouTube called Poetically Thinking.

The thing that sets me apart from others is my words and how I say them. I am loud, real and unapologetically blunt. It feels like I am talking to every person in the room because I am. I also create and develop my own workshops. I tailor them to people’s needs. They are fun and interactive. I’ve done workshops on various topics for: Google, University of California Berkeley, Shenandoah University in VA and Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. I performed poetry nationally in person and internationally online.

I am most proud of my ability to get people to see another point of view and possibilities they overlooked for themselves or others.

One of my favorite haiku/senryu is:

It’s okay to be
scared, do it anyway. Scared
people succeed too.

One of my favorite Kimisms (my sayings):
Don’t prove to “them” that they were wrong about you. Prove to yourself that you were right about you.

I use words so people see themselves as whole human beings. Kimism: You are not just the sum of your mistakes.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

First, people need to understand that poetry has blossomed. There are several types of poets but most of us fall into two categories: poets or spoken word poets. There is no perfect definition for both but poets basically read their poems and spoken word poets are supposed to make you feel their poem. Spoken word poets state their poem with more inference, and use different verbal techniques. One is not better than the other. They are just different forms of poetry. Often people don’t understand that distinction and it causes confusion. Each poet decides how they “poet” but if you hire a poet and you envisioned a spoken word poet you can see how that would be problematic.

Also spoken word poets are a great addition for any event not just poetry events. People often think of singers but they overlook how much value poetry can add to an event. We can also cover any subject.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society needs to treat creatives like the artists they are. We are often after thoughts added to the program as an appetizer when we are a main course too.

Also, pay creatives for their work. Have a budget established for artists just like you have one for the venue, food, etc…

Exposure is not payment. The opportunity to perform is not a payment. Treat artists fairly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kimbmiller.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pwcpoetlaureate2020/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwcpoetlaureate2020
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkimbmiller/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamkimbmiller