We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yolanda Gates a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yolanda , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.
I am an advocate for change. In 2017 I started a program called The Writerz Bloc’ Creative Writing Collective. This program focuses on improving literacy and comprehension among the youth in Memphis, TN ages 8-13 by fostering a love for reading through creative writing. I call on local artists to teach my students different forms of creative writing for each session. Due to my program being grassroots, I fund this program through community donations and a percentage of my sales and bookings I make from my art (books, performances, and t-shirts) as Quiet Storm Poetry. I feel that I have an obligation as a member of my community to raise up the next generation higher than the levels I have reached. I believe in the youth and their potential. We all need each other to create a better life for us all. My motto I live by is “Be the change you wish to see”.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For anyone who may not know who I am, My name is Yolanda “Quiet Storm” Gates. I am a native of Chicago, IL. I am an avid writer, poet, and teaching artist. I have been named one of the 2012 Tri-State Defenders 50 Women of Excellence, 2016 1st place NCRM Drop the Mic Poetry Slam Winner, Artsy Awards 2017 & 2019 Best Female Poet, Tri-State Defenders 2017 Best In Black Awards Best Spoken Word Artist, and Outstanding Author for 3V Leading Lady Awards.
I am the founder of “The Writerz Bloc” Creative Writing Collective, an organization using various creative writing skills to promote literacy efficiency among youth ages 8-13. I am the author of three poetry books “Eye of the Storm”, “Embracing the Journey” and “Thoughts of a Woman”. Also creator of “Embracing the Journey” discussions, an open discussion on the many layers of the journey of womanhood and the Podcast Host of “Embracing Our Journey’s” podcast, a podcast highlighting millennial triumphs.
I have performed for Shelby county’s Black History Program with Former Mayor Luttrell, MLK 50th Sanitation Strike Commemoration at the Orpheum theatre, Opened for Poet Jasmine Mans, and The CLTV Memphis, Black in Amurica, Embracing the Journey 10 city book tour, and a host of other performance showcases.
Wow, that was a lot. I am all about community, breaking generational cycles through my poetry, and a huge advocate for self love. I believe what sets me apart as a spoken word artist is the feeling I give my audience when I’m on stage. I speak real and raw, I cover what many are feeling and thinking but the gift that shakes my audiences is the power of my word play and the realness in my approach. I care about my people and I leave that all on stage.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Unlearning. Wow. I’ve been doing a lot of that personally and as a creative. I grew up in a family that believed the standard path of education created successful people. You go to school, you get a degree, you find a job and live happily ever after. So untrue! As a woman and a creative I had to unlearn this point of view. This lesson I was taught my entire life began to hinder me as an adult, I found myself extremely unhappy while in college and struggling with employment after college. My personality is so broad and maybe sometimes extreme because I love to let life flow and create based on those moments. This is when I am my happiest and my work ethic flows freely. I always say I wasn’t built for a 9-5 but for a 5-9. Creating in my own time frame allows me to produce some of the greatest work. It’s also a plus as an artist to make money off of your art but honestly I would do this for no pay at all, well I’ve done it for no pay many times. It’s true passion and I’ve become successful in my own right. Once I unlearned that deep rooted family lesson, I rose from the ashes and set this world on fire.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Currently, with everything going on in the world I have found extreme peace in letting life flow and flowing with it. Life drives me straight into my art. Some of my best work comes out of times like this. Where I can deliver hope to the masses through words. The mission is to always reflect the times as an artist word to Nina Simone, so flowing and growing with life ultimately leads to exactly where you should be. Present and following your purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @officialqspoetry
- Facebook: Quiet Storm Poetry
- Twitter: @qspoetry
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/quietstormpoetry