We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Terance Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Terance, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Bold Young Poets now PoetsEdu. was launched in 2012 as an After School Program still going strong I continue to ask local poets to teach and mentor students where needed.
such as
Eisenhower Middle School
Delasalle Learning Center
Cristo Reye
Ewing Marion Kauffman School
Raytown Middle School
in 2021 i created the PoetsEdu Grant
and in 2022 i created PoetsEdu Scholarship fund
Terance, 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’m T.L.Williams born and raised in Kansas City. I’m a creative. I create opportunity for all artist ‘ I’m a philanthropist. Founding the music & more foundation I’m able to issue small grants to nonprofits that support local artist in the Kansas City area.
And being on the board at KUAW internet radio station I’ve created several shows hosted by local artist.
I’ve produced poetry events at
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of art,
The unicorn theater,
The Missouri state capitol,
Crown center,
The Westport historical society,
University of Central Missouri
Several public parks
—
When you get a chance check out my Facebook page
www.facebook.com/IamTeranceWms
—
I’ve team up with The Dispatch Post Usa
to create First Friday Poet of the month
a/k/a #AEFeatured
https://www.facebook.com/AEFeatured
—
BoldYoungPoets aka #PoetsEdu
is an after-school program first launched in 2012
at Eisenhower middle school in kck
from there we opened at
Delasalle Learning center
Ewing Marion Kauffman School
Crysto Reye
Raytown Middle School
three-day sessions taught by poets
public speaking, creative writing, #Mentoring
(Poetry is an art well Learned)
but I wanted to do more. so, I contacted
the metropolitan community college foundation
to created
The Poets Edu Scholarship Fund
available for students studying within the arts,
humanities, language & communications pathway,
studying English, mass communication or philosophy
—
I’VE CREATED SEVERAL PERMANENT GRANTS
–Here We Grow Grant
supports garden clubs
to celebrate Black Farmer i created Here We Grow
an annual farmers market at the black archives of MId-America
the grant is used to buy seed. for nonprofits with a garden.
–Poetry on The Vine Grant
18th & vine is historic for its jazz influence
then Glenn north came along with poetry and the foundation was laid.
and inspired by him.
I created #PoetryOnTheVine in 2021
a hub for poets to meet and recite poetry.
–Network Radio Grant
issued to KUAW Internet Radio
creating radio shows impacting the community
–Hair Today Cut Tomorrow Grant
Issued to KnowJoeyFoundation
more than often young men are in situations
that puts them in front of a judge. this grant
supports barbers serving the community
providing haircuts and conversation …
–April is Poetry Grant
issued to BFTAA
This will be my third year Producing poetry in the park at freedom fountain
i look forward to 2023 and I’m already prepping for 2024
I’m creating a lineup. it’s also an open mic. so interested poets & vendors contact me
[email protected] subject: April is poetry month
—
I network with the best.
when we meet together, we succeed together. –
— singer songwriter & poet
i also like collaborations
#DreadsHang for more of the good stuff.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being able to write something that connects with others.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I created The Music & More Foundation to support all aspect of art.
www.themusicandmorefoundation.org
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themusicandmorefoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicandmorefoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusicandmorefoundation
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musicmorefoundation/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicandmorevip
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC4D2pMUiFkL42nQ2ES9EXw
Image Credits
from the book #iAmGenesisOneOfMany