We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Morgan Paige Shorts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Morgan Paige, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am happy as an artist. And I still have a regular job, for now, doing something I am also passionate about. I also hold the title of Housing Counselor for a local non-profit here in Cleveland , Ohio. I teach financial literacy classes to adults, as well as, Homebuyer Education classes weekly to participants in order for them to obtain certification to apply for down-payment assistance. I think a lot of the time people, in general, are put in a box with “you do this so that is all you need, right”?

Wrong.

I have been blessed to be good at many things and I’ve had the audacity to try them all. But as I’ve gotten older and went through life changes, trials and tribulations, I have learned what is purposeful or most fruitful to do to sustain.

I have faced homelessness and living from couch to couch. So, to be in a position now where I’m teaching people how to own a home, what to do, and what you need to purchase – this is surreal but I know I was purposed to do this to give others hope, seeing as how I’ve experienced the bottom.

As an artist, I am able to put words to the abandonment, hurt & rejection I felt during those trials and tribulations. Essentially being able to relate to 1 or more of my audience. I love that part of being an artist. The relationships you build through vulnerability. And that’s why I value my self-work, my work as an artist, and my job, my 9-5 as an educator.

Morgan Paige, 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?

My name is Morgan Paige Shorts, I am so many things. But I will start by saying, I serve as child of God, and mommy to my daughter. I am the co-founder and creative director of Poetry Unplugged, a much- appreciated addition to the Open Mic scene in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as the Managing Director of The Sparrow’s Fortune. Born in Columbus, OH, and raised between Cleveland and Columbus, I currently reside in Cleveland. My authorship has birthed 3 books. As an artist, my poetry EP, A Steward”‘s Heart can be found on all streaming platforms as well as the joint live-studio album with Calil “Just C.O.S.”, Bare in the Flesh. Through my poetry and spoken word, I explore themes of mental-health and relationships – all with a focus on the Black family unit and examining the emotional lives of Black women.

I came out as a spoken word artist in 2019. I had met a friend who saw something in me and decided to expand on that by first writing me a poem and I wrote one back in response which is the first single and poem I have ever performed in front of anyone, Selfless. Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer but I remember my dad saying once, “Writer’s don’t make real money.” And that kind of deterred me and looking back now that may have led or added into me putting my writing gift on the back burner.

2019 is what I claim as my year of one. This was the first year I decided I was going to be who God called me to be. I was going to utilize the natural gifts I was given and go all in. I’ve always been a passionate person but almost never all the way into myself and what I wanted until then, 2019. Once I performed, Selfless, knees shaking, voice cracking, 5 people in the audience at a local Open Mic at B-Side on Coventry in Cleveland, Ohio, I knew I could do it all and do it bigger.

So I kept practicing and getting better and doing the self-work. I had learned it all started with me and what I believed. I had believed in so many other people and things and sometimes lies, but I hadn’t yet taken the chance to believe in myself and once I did, it’s been up. I am most proud of myself to be where I am today as an artist, as a mother, as a friend, as a business owner, as a co-producer, as a director, as a human & spirit I can’t be anymore proud of myself and my belief in all of these things.

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

My particular goal or mission driving my creative journey is impact and healing through vulnerability and sharing our testimonies, our life stories, ima creative manner. And doing it in a way where a multitude of lives our impacted or changed in a positive way.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Pay the artists! We all benefit from art. But very few want to pay the artist behind the art. Value those who are contributing to the beautification of this world. We all have heard the term, “starving artist”, feed us. Find ways to incorporate art into your business to the point where everyone can eat, and eat well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.poetryunplugged.co
• Instagram: @morgan.izm, @poetry.unplugged, @thesparrowsfortune,
• Other: www.thesparrowsfortune.com

Image Credits
Ken Cody, Photographer- @youngest_cody Broken English 101 photographers