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

Frank, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Yes, I’m happy to have a creative outlet. A way to process thoughts in a manner that is helpful not only for myself but also inspirational and respected amongst others. However in being a creative and art being an outlet, you have to be careful what is being plugged into you.

I do have a “regular” job, I’m an engineer and I like to tell people that it uses the other side of my brain. Luckily the way my job works I have to find “creative solutions” to problems I encounter. What I’ve learned in school or on the Job are tools that I use on a daily basis but how I implement those tools is where I have the most fun.

I approach being a creative in the opposite way. I have a creative idea that I use tools such as poetry and music as conduits for everyday issues such as mental health or just being Black in America.

What I find most challenging both for myself and other poets is the “regular job” aspect of being a creative. The business side of things whether it is marketing one’s work to your target audience, being paid the rate one establishes for themselves, or operating as a business in a sustainable and balanced way. Having a regular job and being a creative have a lot if similarities in this way. I have found the longer I’ve been a poet is that A poet can not just be a poet. A Poet has to also be an entrepreneur, a data analyst, a social media manager, a booking agent, an influencer, a CEO, an author, a travel agent, and so on. It’s much different from being hired by a company to just be a engineer, complete a project, and go home. Depending on how well you manage the circus of being self employed defines what paycheck is helping which side of your brain.

Finding that balance of being a creative, a nine to five employee, and family man is a scale I am always tweaking to make work for everyone. Most days are better than others however for now I think I have a pretty good handle on things until life shifts them again. And I’ll be happy to make the adjustment when the time comes.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, my name is Frank Expression, I am a Spoken Word Artist, Trumpet Player, and Event Curator. Frank Expression, LLC, is a company based on self expression by means of performance spoken word poetry. I was ushered into the spoken word art forms as a means of overcoming stage fright, searching for a creative outlet, and ways to meet people. As a result I was able to learn more about myself and internalize how I saw the world and why I saw it that way. The more I shared the more I saw others relate to my personal story and how the way I performed encouraged others to seek self actualization. It is with this I sought to contribute and create spaces for others to express themselves. Whether it be on stage or writing, once a person is able to see who they are in a piece of art, that is when they can begin evaluating who they wish to be. It is this event curation experience I offer to clients, fans, and followers alike. I offer creative writing sessions, open mic performance spaces, and themed showcases to not only challenge performers but give the audience a show unlike any other.

What sets my performances apart from others is instrumentation. You’ve seen poets on pianos, poets and guitars, or even poets and song accompaniments. I can mostly guarantee you’ve never seen a poet with a trumpet in a dynamic performance between music and free verse that not only has you tapping your feet but also snapping your fingers. Metaphors that will have you hanging on every word and melodies that will take you back to the first time you fell in love or the last time you had a good cry. Being able to perform to this capacity is what I am most proud of.

What I would like potential clients, fans, and followers to know is that I am still growing and connecting. I am always looking for new inspirations for new pieces and other creatives who have the drive and are willing to collaborate. I am always open to travel and serve the community in ways that will broaden the perspective of self in any capacity I can whether it be by means of a workshop, feature performance, or cultivating a welcoming space.

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

Moments like this one never get old. Picture this: you’re in the middle of a performance and there are a couple of people that have been giving you energy the entire time, head nods, clapping, snapping, and cheering. You finish your set and walk off stage the people you’ve been making eye contact with walk up to you and share parts of their story that align with yours. The high and lows of life to the point where you feel seen, appreciated, and less lonely. These are the best kind of moments. It is not always getting your ideas on paper or even the performance themselves. It’s the confirmation that your story was received, understood, and had an effect on another person’s life you’ve never met.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Yes, higher a spoken word poet for your next event. You will not regret it at all. Having a poet open up your concerts, fundraising galas, birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, or meetings is a surefire way to engage with your audience in a way that is different and entertaining on so many levels. Seeing poets as a contributing member of the creative community is one of the first steps to elevating the way art is perceived in schools, in the workplace, and in our daily lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.frankexpression.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frank_expression/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankexpression/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frankexpression/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiXNM_nr5yp9SN451UQ7iog

Image Credits
Andy Goh Vanessa Roy Tanesha Davis