We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vee Allen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Vee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

As someone who is a creative AND still works a regular job, yes, I’m very happy with where my life is at this time. Beyond that, I’m blessed.

The number one question I consider before traveling a new path is, “is it sustainable?” So I’ve been able to tailor my work schedule to allow me to pursue my passions, while ALSO being a single mother with a minimally involved “co-parent”.

Make no mistake, there is definitely a higher power at work here, lol. My job allows me to MAKE a living. But poetry and public speaking, makes me feel ALIVE.

Vee, 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?

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Vee Allen is poetically known as Lady Syren. A pen name and spiritual embodiment of both her feminine essence, and the fire she exudes while executing her passions. As a lifelong writer and student of the craft, Vee fell in love with words and the stories they weave at a very young age. Despite being academically recognized for her writing during grade school, even winning a poetry contest in the 6th grade. It wasn’t until she took the stage for the first time in 2008 outside of the classroom, that she began to truly understand the beauty and power of words, and the language of poetry itself. Equipped with a degree in human services, and a desire to empower others, she finds fulfillment in intertwining her academic background and personal life experiences with her passion for poetry. This creates a truly enriching experience each time she takes the stage. Not just for her as the artist performing, but for the audience on the receiving end of her creative prowess. She’s had the honor of headlining historic platforms in Philadelphia, like the Uhuru Book Fair in Clark Park, Pecola BreedLove & the Freedom Party and SpitFire Open Mic. Along with well known and respected platforms such as Voices In Power, and SoFar Sounds. Most notably, Lady Syren was hand selected to perform at the ODUNDE festival (Summer 2023). ODUNDE has been a long running Philadelphian tradition established in 1975. An event that attracts UP TO 500,000 people annually and is the largest African American street festival held in the country!

Despite being featured in five other states, gracing the stage in many others, and even opening for Maui the Writer at City Winery. Her biggest personal achievement is publishing her first book, Crowned in Melanin. Deemed as her love letter to blackness, Crowned is an evocative collection of poetical musings that explores what it means to be black in a country like ours, while also navigating her own womanhood. This powerful collection of poetry, affirmations, and quotes, is inspiring, necessary and only the beginning. Grab your copy on Amazon.com and keep up with what this phenomenal creative does next.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I honestly wish I would’ve found and been able to take advantage of youth writing and speaking workshops. While I felt well versed enough, I think having a business mindset earlier on, would’ve yielding greater result. Having a mentor even, could have been exponentially progressed my speaking and poetry career, earlier on.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I am actually still building my audience. Obviously, organic growth is the best kind. Organic followers means real engagement and translates to real people coming out to shows. So networking, exchanging info, and “plugging” yourself before or after a performance, does wonders!

However, the one caveat that gets me every time, is consistency. And THAT my friends is key. Keeping up with algorithms, tiktok trends, and content creation is literally another job in of itself. Being I already have a few of those, I do what I can, but I put the time & effort where it matters most. My family first. Then the craft. Social IS important, but for my current phase of life, there’s a slew of priorities that typically bump it down the list.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/LadySyren
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladysyren/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ladysyren4669?si=nhilvLjONznw71RV