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

Princess, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

in my experiences working with secondary students, it’s important for them to have opportunities to tap into their own empathy. that empathy will ultimately guide them to their passions because it will lead them to explore outlets that feed into who they are and what they love. one of my most inspiring experiences was watching a student who was introduced to poetry and spoken word at a young age, and their evolution to now becoming a full-time artist. because they were able to try poetry in middle school, investigative and transmute their own emotions and grow their writing skills, they’ve grown into a 10-year career that continues to fuel their life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

my name is Princess and I’m a writer.
my background is in journalism, but my over 20 years of experience touches many facets of the written and spoken word. I spent a decade touring nationally and internationally as a spoken word poet, where I self published two books and a CD. I’ve worked with publications as an editor, reporter, and columnist. as a teaching artist, I help students process their emotions, and turn their experiences into art. I also offer corporate copywriting services for local and global organizations to help their more authentically connect with their audience. I’ve even ghostwritten a fiction book and worked on my own drafts, so I am not afraid to push my writing into new genres and skillsets.
I started writing in high school, but didn’t take it seriously as a career until I got to college. there I started working for my collegiate newspaper, first as a sports reporter and editor. after only two short years, I became the first black woman to be named editor in chief. I had plenty of highlights during that time, including covering NCAA women’s and men’s backetball games and interning at two daily newspapers in Texas.
my biggest contribution to the industry and genre now is helping individuals and organizations find and hone their voice, either through my editing services or by working within an established brand voice to communicate to audiences. I’m not the type to take a big red line through someone’s work, but I will question the purpose and intent of language so the core message is concise and creative. as an individual editor, I lead from a place of realism and hope by focusing on someone’s strengths and encouraging deeper pursuits that will produce stronger work. in my own writing, I seek to dig beneath the surface of my own experiences to wrap the lessons of my life in metaphor and imagery.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

as a writer and poet, my reputation came first from my work and willingness to be vulnerable. I was lucky to sharpen my skills in an environment that rewarded a beautiful honesty, no matter how hard it was. and so, learning to communicate difficult experiences in a poetically and sonically arresting way caught the attention of peers across the country. what has held my reputation over the years is my integrity, positivity, and realism when it comes to growing as a writer and a person. many of the relationships I built were because I was a good person first, and an exceptional writer second.
in the corporate realm, my reputation is built on my ability to communicate clearly and effectively, and deliver quality work the first time. I am forthcoming with any issues so that myself and my team can problem solve together while ultimately satisfying the initial ask.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

it is seeing my friends and peers succeed. so many talented creatives that I met 10 and 15 years ago have grown into such expansive careers that I am forever inspired by their work, and heartened by what is possible for me. so many who started with me – or before me – on stages now have books with large publishing houses, have written and produced television, acted in plays, excel at public speaking with Fortune 500 companies and/or inspiring youth, or continue to give back to our community in ways that keep it alive. those connections feed me. we sometimes have a tendency to feel like others have passed us by when they achieve what we have not, but being able to see my friends do great things reinforces the importance of our own journeys and lets me know that I am never far behind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://princessmcdowell.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/write_princess_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/princesswrites
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princessmcdowell/