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

Gemini, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

This is a hard question because all my projects are near and dear to my heart because, I intentionally strive for all of my projects to inspire and motivate. But, if I had to pick I would say the free Summer Poetry Workshop with the Diatribe that we brought to Muskegon Heights for the first time in 2021 and we did our second successful year this past summer. About two years ago I was presented with the opportunity to join the amazing Diatribe of Grand Rapids. This invite came at a point in my career where I felt I wasn’t making the impact I desired and I had even contemplated taking a hiatus. It was truly the retightening of the flame I needed. The first-year participation was slim, and to some may have been discouraging. Instead of us letting that determine if we continued or not we came together and came up with a way to collaborate and start promo early. We teamed up with Pathfinders of Muskegon and did a Pre-Kickoff event which not only spread the word but doubled our participant numbers. The second year we were able to give voices and confidence to those who may otherwise choose to remain silent. These amazing young humans spoke their truth unapologetically, some even bringing our audience to tears. That was the reassurance needed for me to continue to fight to give the “voiceless” of our community a voice. It’s meaningful because I was able to bring a much-needed outlet to those who are often overlooked and provided them with a platform for their voices to be heard and it cost them NOTHING!

Gemini, 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 am a Teaching Artist with The Diatribe Inc., Award Winning Poet, Published Author, Business Owner, Motivational Speaker, Community Activist, Mentor, and Local Philanthropist affectionately known as “The Voice for The Voiceless”. I discovered my poetic ability after losing my daughter and became a known public figure after the surge of violence that occurred in the city of Muskegon/Muskegon Heights in 2010. My passion lies in utilizing her gift and fearlessness to implement a change that will make our community better for the next generation. So, I have made it my mission to speak on my trials and tribulations, my good times and bad times. I speak my truth unapologetically to encourage and inspire someone who may feel like they are alone in their battles. In March of 2021 I walked away from Corporate Geek Squad after working for them for the last decade to fully walk in my purpose and open my own business, Poetic Aspirations LLC., within my community. I’m a recipient of the 2013 and 2015 Beat Awards Best Local Entertainer & Best-Spoken Word Artist, 2020 Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Future 15 Award recipient, 2020 Progressive Democratic Women’s Caucus Impact Award Recipient, Great Poets across America Award Winning Poet, four-time TEDx Speaker, the first local West Michigan Author to have a plague in her honor in the Muskegon Community College Author Garden and a published author of 3 books.
I am also known as speaking up, on the behalf of the community, against racism and discrimination. I strive to show the youth that your past does not determine your future and if you put God first there is nothing you cannot accomplish. I feel I’m utilizing my gift as God has directed me to and my motto is, “If I can touch at least one than I’m doing my part”.

Poetic Aspirations offers greeting cards, both custom and premade, custom poems, graphic design, and PC Cleaning and Repair. I also started a t-shirt line called Fueled By My Ancestors which is a motivational line. I also offer motivational speaking at a hourly rate. You can learn more by visiting my website www.poeticaspirationsllc.org.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The driving force behind my passion is my daughter, Imani Nicole Davis, who I lost when she was 14months. I was a teenage mother and my daughter caught Pertussis and eventually succumbed to the complications. Watching her fight her fight is why giving up is NOT an option. She is the driving force behind all I do because in 14months she changed me and made me the woman I am today. My overall goal with what I do is to utilize the gift God installed in me to be the voice of change my community needs. To inspire and motivate the youth and show them you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to with hard work and determination.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A story that illustrates my resilience is becoming a teenage mother at the age of 15, my daughter catching Pertussis and spending 9 months of that time in the ICU in GR. 10 days after my 17th birthday I lost my grandmother, 9 months after I lost my daughter, 9 months after that I lost my great aunt to cancer, and 9 months after that I lost an aunt who was like a second mother to me on Christmas Day. With all those losses back-to-back and depression I made the decision to turn my pain into the fuel to succeed. Since that time, I have lost loved ones, a sibling and some mentees to gun violence and they are also what fuel me to be the “Voice for the Voiceless”. I have had many trials and tribulations that would most would probably fold or give up, and instead of giving up it is what pushes me to continue the journey because I know they wouldn’t want me to stop.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.poeticaspirationsllc.org
• Instagram: geminidapoet231
• Facebook: Ebony Davis (Gemini DaPoet)
• Twitter: geminidapoet
• Youtube: Gemini DaPoet
• Yelp: Poetic Aspirations LLC
• Other: TikTok: GeminiDapoet