We recently connected with Felicia Shantell and have shared our conversation below.

Felicia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The first time i realized i want to purse the Arts professionally is when i had my first poetic high and i didn’t want to come down. I remember Senior year, in high school, Feb 14,2008, I was sitting on the stair, at Gs & Zs Poetry cafe, listening to all of the Houston’s Greats- Marie Brown Equality, Savanna blue, Rain-hosted by Black Snow. My God, it was so many Poetic Pioneers all on one stage and I not knowing much about poetry except Eger Alan Poe and Robert Frost. I was completed captivated by not just the word play by the swag. I was introduced to spoken word that night. That night, I fell in love with poetry.

Felicia, 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?

As I fast forward slightly, to My Freshman year in college, At Texas Southern University, I got my rookie experience of the stage. Poetically speaking, I was a “Virgin to the Mic” and they popped my cherry, I seat here, and I laugh because poetry became my antidote whenever I felt like the world didn’t Except me. Poetry listened to me without a rebuttal or reply. It was a Judgement free zone for the most part.

By becoming a Spoken word Artist, I was able to relate with others. Letting the people know that they were not alone in this world. I was able to be for others what my pioneers was to me, a Mentor.

I am Proud of the Journey from acting alongside of my Poetry mentor Ajali the Poet, Rain the Poet and my heavenly sister Roshanda Johnson with poARTry. to Creating my own Production company, IAG Productions, (I Am Goddess) which stands for ” Women Supporting Women and Pushing Men Towards Greatness.

I’ve been able to recreate the kind of stages that I was on when i was young and give platforms to the younger generation though outreach and leadership. I’ve Fought for justice alongside of Congressman Al Green, mentored to the youth with my mentoring workshop, “Artistically Royal” (a program to teach the youth, how to channel their emotions in their form of art whatever it may be) which caught the attention of Congress woman Sheila Jackson Lee. On August 7, 2021, my efforts to seek change the community, in the people, and in the youth, though a seminar called ” I’m a Survivor” sparked the interest of my mayor Sylvester Turner to the point that we were proclamated.

As I look back 15 years ago, and I see that 19year old young lady seating on the staircase at G’s and Z’s Poetry Cafe’ dreaming to be more poetic like Marie Brown, give back more like Savannah Blue, or just know the ins and outs of the entertainment industry like Ajali; I sit here Present day and ponder on the thought that ” I did that, but I’m not finished yet”

See what sets me apart from the rest is the fact that I know “I’m already Legendary” notes taken by Shanie the Poet. If you thought you saw the best of me, Honey I’m just getting started.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The one thing, that non- creatives will possibly struggle to comprehend about my journey is that I am a visionary. I don’t just dream about things I see; I plan the future according to the things I see. For example, I see life to be vibrant and full of color, more than just black and white. when society looks at the world, they blurry pixels; however, See the masterpiece.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The rewarding part about being an artist is the freedom of being an Unapologetically me

Contact Info:

• Instagram: iag_produtions
• Facebook: Felicia Shantell
• Youtube: @iagproductions2719

Image Credits
Ishoottolive Media CJ Camera Eye southern Union Media