We were lucky to catch up with Victora Bianca recently and have shared our conversation below.

Victora , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

On the Sunday evening of November 5th, 2023, I curated & hosted my eighth poetry event which was my most momentous event to date in my 2 year creative career. It was a completely sold out event. I showcased over 12 authentic & urban poets & hosted over 60 guests who were each from different walks of life bringing us all together for one purpose: to be thankful from where we came from. I brought the whole hood out. People say I brought the whole city out which is a great accomplishment in my eyes.

I named the event “Grateful 4 Da Ghetto” & the theme was “giving gratitude to the struggle.” Struggle is universal to us all, but how does one give thanks to trials & tribulations? My method that I wish to share with the urban community is expressing your emotions through spoken word poetry. Since then, Hood Healing Poetry, LLC has been acclaimed by onlookers as a “poetry revival” in Atlanta, GA. I planned, promoted & performed at my own sold out event at The Bookstore Gallery in the city that I grew up in & love dearly. Hood Healing Poetry has been recognized as a community symbol. (Favored Letters, 2023.)

Victora , 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?

For the folks who may not know who I am, my name is Victora Bianca. On the mic, I’m known as “Hood Phenomenon” & I am the curator & host of Hood Healing Poetry Events. I am multifaceted in the creative industry as I am a poetry performer, event curator & host. Outside of entrepreneurship, I am a mother & graduate student of the arts.

I was born on the Eastside of Atlanta, Ga. I grew shy & didn’t say much unless I was spoken to. I enjoyed writing poetry, sketching, & singing. Although I still enjoy sketching, poetry is my passion. Ironically I always knew I’d be a performer even though I was a timid little girl. I mostly kept my dreams & thoughts in a journal that has manifested into thriving black owned business.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is having the ability & confidence to share my art in my own authentic way & it actually resonates with others. I finally found enough peace in my healing journey & now I’m able to tell my story in my own words for the world to listen. I am very proud of that & I make others proud too. Initially I built my platform to spread my own message to my community, but now I feel inclined to share my platform with other creatives who have a message of their own.

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

In my view, society can best support creative artists in a thriving creative ecosystem by being open minded, loyal, & considerate to a creative’s process. Because creativity is not universal, every creative’s process looks & feels different. Their process is unique to where they are in their creative journey. It’s important to be open minded to change. That can be a re-brand, a new creative project/idea, or a short-term hiatus. Yes, supporting us during our down time is necessary & reassures us of our purpose. So, offering insightful words of encouragement, liking/sharing our art on your own platform, & spreading the word to your friends & family about our art is a grand way to support creative artists. Sometimes the best way to support others is by blessing them with a networking opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/hoodhealingpoetry
• Instagram: https://linktr.ee/hoodhealingpoetry
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hoodhealingpoetryllc

Image Credits
@_camfuk3nny