Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil C. Alexander

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

My name is Phillip C. Alexander, I’m a multifaceted visionary and artist that writes and performs poetry. Everything began for me in my hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut in a small studio on 955 Connecticut Ave. I recall telling my cousin I didn’t know any other poets in the area and next thing I know, four young black, driven individuals and myself were able to conceptualize a spoken word platform. My first show was hosted on February 27, 2021 and we went from 25 people in attendance to a sold out crowd of 200+ people at our Anniversary show featured at the Bijou theater in downtown Bridgeport. Our spoken word platform birthed a poetry collective entitled “The Trifecta” which consists of Darius Martin (Oso), Julian Mein (Brother Bear) and myself. We’ve had the opportunity to host workshops and perform at Universities and venues across the tristate such as Yale University (CT) Post University (CT) Dewey’s Lounge (MA) and Nuyorican Poets Cafe (NY). I currently hold the titles of The First Annual W. E. B. Du Bois Slam Champion at Umass Amherst, The North Beast Poetry Slam Team Champion (MA), The V3 League Champion (NY) and was blessed with the opportunity to represent Connecticut as part of the Verbal Slap Team that competed in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam finishing top 15 in the nation.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Nothing in life is ever a smooth road. In my opinion it’s inevitable you will encounter obstacles on the road to success. There have been times when I questioned my greatness, wondering how I’d measure up to those that came before me and how I could improve my pen to live up to my potential. Risk taking and blind faith were necessary tools for my growth. I learned to let my shortcomings propel me and make me focus on improving what was in my control so I can slightly elevate day by day. I once heard a quote that said a man doesn’t set out to build a wall in one day, he sets out to lay each brick as perfect as it can be laid and if he does this everyday consistently, eventually he will have a wall. At the end of the day I always know where I am is temporary, if I keep putting in the work then I’ll be rewarded but first “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers”.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am an artist that writes poetry and specializes in performing spoken word. I am known for my ability to storytell and make people feel through my art. What I am most proud of is, all the relationships poetry has allowed me to create and all the personal development I’ve done. When I first started performing my whole goal was just to meet other people who did the same thing as me in the area. However because of the situations I put myself in and the environments I was introduced to, I now know poets all over the country. What sets me apart from others is my work ethic and curiosity. I don’t know what it takes to grow or what the best version of myself looks like but I know that I can’t do it sitting around waiting for it to find me, I have to explore what life has to offer and create what greatness looks like for myself. My curiosity has taken me into places that only faith can keep me safe in and that’s the only proof I need to know that I’m headed in the direction.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philcalexander_?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phillip.alexander.1460?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCulCeMKP3dyyqMo6n6EXAVg?si=VIzJ-7X8pc4ejzlA