We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Khalisa Rae Thompson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Khalisa Rae below.
Khalisa Rae, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Back in 2021, my book had just released and although I was doing all the things an author does- going on a book tour, speaking, reading my work, doing appearances at book stores, traveling, I still didn’t feel a sense of community. I had virtual friends and groups, but most of them were toxic- mostly transactional and based on clout and what we could all for each other to help raise each others status. And that shallow sense of community and friendship wasn’t really sustaining me anymore. My husband, who is also a poet in the same respect would complain a lot during that time about not having a real poetry community. He had his poetry slam team, but what did they do after that to form bonds and work on craft? Nothing really. As the next year went on, we noticed a trend in our local community that poets and writers from different walks of life didn’t really intermingle. We also wondered where Black and POC writers gathered to discuss challenges, interests, and opportunities. We couldn’t find out where artists went to grow and work on their craft. We noticed there weren’t really writing workshops in our city, So we decided to start an annual conference for Black Writers that focused on amplifying and building up writers and artists in the south specifically. The goal and mission is to bring together Black writers from around the south to perfect their craft, commune, collaborate, and connect. The mission was to cellebrate Black authors that have a connection, roots, our work in the south, and to bring Black writers from around in US to south to be impressed in Black southern oralo tradition together. To bear witness to an art from voice that are traditionally overlooked. The mission and goal is to see a brighter more expansive futures. Black writers and artists need spaces where their voices can be cultivated and celebrated.
Khalisa Rae, 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 an award-winning multi-hyphenate poet, educator, and journalist based in Durham, NC, but originaolly born and raised in Gary, Indiana. People would say that I am best known for my community activism. Straight out of college, I start the performing arts Poet.she in Greensboro , North Carolina. We curated spoken word, literary, and performing arts events for POC writers in the community. I am also co-founder of the Invisibility Project, and Athenian Press- QPOC writer’s collective, resource center, and bookstore in Wilmington, NC.
As a former English professor and public school teaching artist, my passion lies in uplifting women and youth through community engagement. After teaching in the public school system, I served as an outreach and program director for various nonprofits such the YWCA in Wilmington, and worked as
a teaching artist, and is always looking for a way to give back and serve as a mentor.
My first chapbook, Real Girls Have Real Problems, was published in 2012 by Jacar Press and later adapted into a sold-out play called, “The Seven Deadly Sins of Being a Woman” which was accompanied by a podcast. My early work with stage performance and slam poetry landed me on stage at the National Poetry Slam, Women of the World Poetry Slam, Individual World Poetry Slam, and Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam, among others.
During my time as Outreach Director of the YWCA, I completed my MFA at Queens University of Charlotte where I studied under renowned authors, Claudia Rankine and Ada Limon. There I wrote Outside the Canon– a thesis dissertation on the history of spoken word and its isolation from the literary canon as a result of systematic racism. In addition, I wrote my book, Ghost in a Black Girls Throat.
Currently, I am a 4-time Best of the Net nominee, multi-Pushcart Prize nominee, and the author of the 2021 debut collection, Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat, from Red Hen Press. My performance poetry has led me to speak in front of thousands over the course of my career. I am a seasoned conference panelist and speaker, and the founder and creator of #PublishingPaidMe BIPOC Writers/Editors Panel at the AWP conference, as well as annual speaker at the SEWSA Women’s Conference. Notably, I am the formerly served as Gen Z Culture Editor of Blavity News and former Staff Writer at Jezebel Magazine.
As a champion for Black queer narratives, my articles have appeared in Fodor’s, Autostraddle, Vogue, Catapult, LitHub, Bitch Media, Black Femme Collective, Body.com, NBC-BLK, and others. Her work also appears in Electric Lit, Torch Literary, Hypertext, Rumpus, Southern Humanities Review, Pinch, Tishman Review, Rust & Moth, PANK, among countless others.
My full-length poetry collection has led me to win to the Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Award, Vulgar Genius Award, Gwendolyn Brooks Prize, among other prizes and awards. Currently, I serve as the Theater & Literature Director at the NC Arts Council, and the co-founder of the Griot and Grey Owl Blk Southern Writers Conference.
My YA novel in verse, Unlearning Eden & my romance novel, Finding Sweet Everlasting, are in progress.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
As a Black artist, I find it incredibly fulfilling to witness people from different backgrounds and walks of life come together and bond over their shared experiences with art. Art has the power to inspire community connections and collaborations. I have personally witnessed people at poetry slams change their minds about deeply ingrained misconceptions and stereotypes. I have seen people who held certain beliefs about certain types of people share space with those they wouldn’t otherwise. Art is not only a catalyst for change, but it also has the potential to bring people together. It bridges gaps and mends broken fences. Being a creative has allowed me to build a new family and community with other artists and creatives. Over the years, I have met some of my best friends and chosen family members in the art world. What’s even more amazing is that there are still so many other connections to be made, collaborations to form, and projects to work on. Ultimately, the ability to give shape to your imagination, express emotions, ideas, and stories in ways that resonate with others is what makes creating art so special. Whether it’s a painting, a poem, a novel, or a piece of music, artists and writers have the opportunity to share their unique perspectives with the world by creating something out of nothing.
Beyond the act of creation itself, there’s immense satisfaction in connecting with an audience. When someone reads your story or views your artwork and finds meaning, inspiration, or solace in it, it creates a profound sense of fulfillment. Knowing that your work has touched someone else’s life, sparked their imagination, or evoked powerful emotions is incredibly rewarding.
Moreover, the process of artistic and creative expression is deeply personal and introspective. It allows artists and writers to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, fostering self-discovery and growth along the way. Through their art, they can communicate aspects of themselves that might otherwise remain unspoken, forging connections not only with others but also within themselves.
Ultimately, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative writer lies in the transformative power of art itself—to inspire, to provoke thought, to challenge perceptions, and to evoke empathy. It’s a journey of exploration, connection, and self-expression that brings richness and meaning to both the creator and the audience alike.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I have had to unlearn the idea that I am in competition with others. The publishing industry and social media often promote the idea of competition and pushing oneself to be better than others. However, this is a myth created by capitalism to make marginalized people feel like they have to work harder to keep up. The pandemic highlighted this issue as people fought to keep their writing careers alive. I have learned that there are enough resources and opportunities for everyone, and it is not worth treating others poorly or playing games to get ahead. The truth is, hard work and treating people with kindness is the best way to achieve success. Although unfairness exists in the industry, what matters most is the legacy we leave behind. I choose to prioritize love, community, and compassion over greed, competition, aggression, and nastiness toward my peers. I have made a vow to myself to never be like that again, and I have seen firsthand the power of radical love and community.
I’ve learned that I’m not in competition with anyone other than myself, and that there are enough resources out there for everyone. The writing and publishing industry is highly competitive and filled with rejection, often pitting writers against each other. Similarly, social media can make writers feel like they need to keep up with their peers. However, this is all a myth of capitalism that creates a scarcity mentality, making us feel like we have to compete and be better than others to succeed.
During the pandemic, I witnessed some ugly behavior among writers as they trampled over each other to secure their place in the industry. This taught me that treating people as disposable and cheating to get ahead is not worth it. The truth is, there are enough resources, accolades, awards, and opportunities for everyone, and the best way to achieve success is to work hard and treat people well.
Although this industry can be unfair, it’s important to remember that the legacy we leave behind matters more than any award or contract. I’d much rather say I got there with love, community, and compassion than with greed, competition, aggression, and nastiness toward my peers. I’ve fallen prey to the myth of scarcity, jealousy, and competition in the past, but I’ve made a vow to myself in 2021 to never be like that again. The power of radical love and community is undeniable, and I choose to embrace it. I choose to prioritize love, community, and compassion over greed, competition, aggression, and nastiness toward my peers. I have made a vow to myself to never be like that again, and I have seen firsthand the power of leading with compassion, grace, and goodwill. That especially among people of color, each one of our wins is a step in the right direction and should be celebrated. The more we lead with love, the more what our heart desires comes our way. Although that isn’t something they’d teach you in business school, I’ learning love wins out everytime.
Contact Info:
- Website: khalisarae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalisarae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khalisarae/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalisa-rae-thompson-119074146/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/khalisa88