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

Alright, Vanessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was 11 years old when my teacher gave us an assignment: Write a poem about home. This was a difficult topic for me, but I put my all in it and ended up getting an A on the assignment. Something happened after that; I never stopped writing.

I joined a Ministry Performing Arts group called Tribe of Judah and I used poetry to tell people about God. I never saw myself as a professional poet. 17 years later, I move to Las Vegas, meet an incredible poet who became a mentor and friend Ms. Ayvee. She opened my eyes to the reality of making poetry a full-time paid career.

2 years after we connect, I win over 5 slam competitions, publish my first book, “Poetically Affirmed”, join Las Vegas Slam Team: Spotlight Poetry, go on a tour and perform and feature all over the city and in many different states and now working on my first spoken word album. I thank God daily for the connections I have made in just a very short time and excited to see where my pen leads me next.

Vanessa, 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 Vanessa Williams AKA “Poetic V”. California raised, Las Vegas living Poet, teacher, spoken word artist and author. My passion is to inspire the world with my writings, ignite nations with my voice and illustrate the power of healing through writing and speaking. I started writing at the age of 11 for a class assignment and have never stopped writing. I have written an affirmation poetry book entitled Poetically Affirmed: A collection of I Am poems to affirm you daily.” I conduct readings, performances and workshops around this book, hoping to communicate the power of the words we speak over ourselves. In a world where what people think and say about us have such an impact, we must learn to speak life over ourselves, regardless of what others think.

Alot of my writings and performances also deal with the subject of grief and loss. In 2017 my mother passed aways and my life was shattered. Through poetry as a tool, along with my relationship with God and so much support, I began to believe, there is life after loss. By God’s grace, I wish to continue to be that example and to help bring hope to others who have experienced a similar pain.

I have had the privilege to compete and win in a few local Las Vegas slam events including Beyond the Neon poetry Slam, Spotlight Poetry Slam and Spit your Truth Poetry competition. I was a featured artist at in the Las Vegas Book Festival, Miss Nevada African Pageant, Utah Arts Festival, DWE World Tour in Austin Texas during SXSW, etc. To date, my most proud moment would be my TEDx Talk in October 2022; what a dream come true!

When people read my poems or listen to my voice, I want them to be changed, impacted and motivated by the way God has led me through many difficult and devastating situations but through it all, I am still here. Still writing and forever using my voice to inspire others to do the same.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

January 2021 my grandmother passes away. Just 4 years after my mother and I’m heartbroken. Two of the most important women in my life were now gone and I am left without their guidance, their support, their voice.

Yet my very first thought when I heard the news, ‘I can’t let everything my grandmother put in me die with her.’ My grandmother was not only responsible for showing me the importance and incredible life that comes with connecting with God and having a relationship with Jesus but the power of the arts.

I have been performing on stage since I was four years old where I sang my first solo “I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus.” She took me to theater shows before I could speak and when my mother was convinced a two-year old would definitely become the star of that evening, I rested in the arms of my grandmother, watching, listening, memorized! She would read her poems to me, showing me her awards from the National Poets Society and the books her poems were published in. She poured her passions into me, and it gave me life.

But now she is gone, and I was not only struggling with my faith, but I had also not written a poem in 4years. Why keep living out this dream when the ones I want to live it with are no longer here. What is the point? Yet even with the battle happening in my mind, I knew I couldn’t keep living outside of my true identity and purpose. A very amazing friend said to during this time, “Vanessa, whatever you do, you gotta get back to your true self.”

With tears soiling cheeks, uncertainly in my heart and no idea how I will do this, the journey began. My mothers and grandmothers’ life, legacy and voice lives through me and I could no longer keep silent.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

God used poetry as a tool that saved my life. It became the place I would release my inner most thoughts when the world around me seemed unmanageable. It became my confessional when I beliefs where all over the place. It was my safe place of no judgement. I want people to know how powerful words and what happens when we put them on paper and even share with others. We all have a story, and someone needs to hear it. Your voice matters. No matter the loss, there is still a life to be lived!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/PoeticV
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_poeticv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoeticVPoetry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xHp5NQu2Mjm006R9aJwtQ

Image Credits
Featured Image was done by Connie Ann aka conomatic