We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DS Will a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, DS thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Throughout my career as a creative, I have had the pleasure of working with some worthwhile artists. Through these collaborations, I have seen some meaningful projects come to fruition. One that recently stands out is the short film entitled Kings.

Directed by the brilliant Aniyah Bourne and presented by both the M.A.N.iFEST Committee and Brainstemology LLC, Kings highlights the journey of black men, from Africa to America, overcoming systematic barriers and stereotypical myths.

Kings was originally a featured sketch in The Men of M.A.N.iFEST Juneteenth celebration, held this past summer at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, and went on to be an official selection of the 2022 Raleigh Film and Art Festival!

Characters within the sketch delivered powerful commentary and messages through the art forms of spoken word and hip-hop. Shaun “Flowessence” Harris, Eshod “Eternal The M.C.” Howard, and Johnny Lee Chapman III all lent their incredible writing and performance skills to the filmed sketch.

I had the distinct honor of producing, starring, and co-writing the project which would not have been possible without the foresight and vision of Qisoundra Flowers, her husband and founder of Brainstemology Alex Flowers, and the rest of the M.A.N.iFEST Committee.

Based out of Fuquay-Varina, NC, M.A.N.iFEST champions historic preservation, education enrichment, and community engagement through music, art, and networking! It is an organization that I am proud to be associated with.

Kings is such a milestone in my creative journey because it allowed me to be proactive as a creator on such a grand scale. Myriads of individuals were able to experience the uplifting and inspiring content via various screenings and be inspired to construct progressive narratives on their terms.

DS, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always been aware that writing can be a form of expression, a way to educate, or a means to inspire. It is this belief that has enabled me to become a spoken word artist, producer, event coordinator, host, MC, and community servant within the Triangle’s art community.

As the Founder of the Press Play Poetry, I have facilitated a plethora of community-serving showcases that have provided a platform for both upcoming and seasoned artists alike. Press Play Poetry has a current partnership with the highly successful and black-owned Cake Town Bakery. This union has birthed a seasonal poetry showcase Food 4 Thought.

Currently, I serve as the Department Head of Poetry and Public Relations Chair for The Raleigh Film and Art Festival. It is within this nonprofit organization that I was able to institute Voices 2 Reel, an initiative that spotlights the poetic talents of young artists throughout Raleigh and surrounding areas as well as co-host our monthly film and poetry showcase Arts on The Hill Presents: Play on Words.

If not for the dedication and leadership of Artist Christopher Terrell, my position at the Raleigh Film & Art Festival would not be a reality. I remain grateful for the opportunity he has provided me! I am also a periodic, contributing writer for the premiere men’s lifestyle magazine SUAVV.

All of my work stems from a desire to create change and inspiration. We as creatives should understand that we are temporary figures on the world’s stage. What we produce can be the difference between someone discovering their purpose or ignoring their potential to be trailblazers. That very reason is what motivates me to do what I do!

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

“Like”, share, and purchase merchandise. These three actions go a long way in sustaining and building the dreams that we as creatives possess and seek to fulfill. Remember, the first two actions I mentioned are completely free!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Change and inspiration! As long as my intentions are authentic in the creation of my work, then I do not doubt that I will continue to work earnestly at these two outcomes!

Contact Info:

• Website: DS-Will.com
• Instagram: ifyouwontdswill
• Facebook: DS Will (www.facebook.com/ifyouwontdswill)
• Youtube: DS Will

Image Credits
All Photos were taken by @viajeroleyenda (Madrid, Spain)