We were lucky to catch up with Zai Sadler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zai, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was 10 my mom submitted some of my poetry to an online competition and didn’t tell me. She was my first audience. When I would finish a piece I’d run into her room and exclaim, “I wrote a new poem Mom!” She would stop what she was doing and give me her undivided attention. Closing her eyes and listening to me work through a new piece, once done she would provide feedback and always encouragement. One day she came into my room with some papers printed out. She had submitted poems of mine from my journal in my room (one about 9/11 in particular) to an online competition. And I won! She gave me copies of the poems she’s typed up and the certificate I won. I remember being shocked she’d gone behind my back but more happy than anything that I won. Years later in high school I submitted a drawing and short story to a local paper, Greensheet, for a competition at school. I was selected in the top 3. My story and drawing were published and announced at school. It was around then that I got really into Def Poetry on HBO and learned they were touring Broadway with their poems. This was the first time I thought about what a profession as a spoken word artist as possible. Fast forward to 18 year old me touching a stage for the first time and winding up on a team that placed 4th in the nation at the National Poetry Slam. This lead to competing weekly and touring from about 2013-2015 all over the country and even Canada. Poetry led me to education after doing a Ted Talk at ACU in Abilene Texas with an organization called Speak Piece based in Austin Texas. Now I am back in school working to finish my degree and teach middle school ELA. I still perform on a regular basis and poetry has even taken me to writing my fist short film expected to be completed this year! Poetry changed my life and being a touring artist led me to my calling of education.

Zai, 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 already kind of touched on my intro and how I started. What I think sets me apart from most writers and story tellers is an authenticity I bring to every project. Nothing ever feels fake or forced and I’ve been told relatability and vulnerability is my greatest asset. I’m proud of my story. Where I come from and the village that poured into me. All I want is to make my community and family proud. Anything else is icing in the cake.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes! I wish I knew about grants earlier. Artist need to know if they are willing to do the work and research there are people who will GIVE you money to get your projects done. Apply for grants y’all. Be persistent!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Someone asked me the other day what my biggest fear was, I told them being “normal”. I want my name remembered. I want to leave a legacy that inspires and accurately portrays the times I lived in for future generations to learn from.

Contact Info:

• Other: I’m Zai Sadler on the inter webs. All of them.

Image Credits
The Booyah movie poster is by Creative Diggs from Austin Tx. All I have the rights too