Gimme the MiC!
Keep the RHYTHM going...
Season 10
As of 2023, our Podcast airs on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. We invite talented poets and spoken word artists to perform from all over! Here's the scoop on our artists and exclusives straight from our Gimme the MiC! team...
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 1: Spotlight Artist: Ebony tha Goddess -- March 31, 2023
Ebony tha Goddess
"The Moon of Moss Point," as she's locally esteemed, uses a pen and pad to expose her heart. This phenomenal artist spreads "tha Goddess experience to the world while leaving others in awe of her transparency.
Ebony da Goddess made her debut after witnessing the GODDESS energy of Mobile, AL's prodigal daughter, Lady Tess. Seeing the poetic powerhouse that is Tess evoked something within "tha Goddess," prompting her to dig deeper within herself and enabling her to find her voice. This awakening birthed her album which was produced by Halo City Entertainment and entitled, "Ebony Speaks." This album is available for purchase here.
Check out her website here.
Follow her on social media at ebonythagoddess!
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 2: National Poetry Month Prompts -- April 21, 2023
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National Poetry Month Prompts
National Poetry Month is an annual celebration observed every April, bringing together poets, spoken word artists, and enthusiasts from all corners of the world. It is a time to honor the vital role poetry plays in our culture and to recognize the transformative power of words in shaping our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
As an active participant in National Poetry Month, Gimme the MiC! is excited to offer our readers and listeners a unique and engaging spoken word poetry experience.
To celebrate National Poetry Month, Gimme the MiC! has crafted a 30-day spoken word poetry challenge designed to inspire, challenge, and engage poets of all skill levels.
Click HERE for the poetry prompts!
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Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 3: Mama Donna & Wallace (aka "the Elder) -- May 12, 2023
Mama Donna
Mama Donna has always been in a field of employment where she has taken care of people. New to the poetry scene, she is taking off with her gift and enjoying the freedom of being able to share her words with the world.
You will find her in the Small House of Poetry where they hold many events on Clubhouse.
Check her out on Instagram!
Wallace (aka "the Elder")
Wallace G. Reid is a Spoken Word Artist, Poet, Orator and an Actor. Born and raised in Hartford, CT, he has been active in the performing arts since elementary school. Frequently participating in stage plays in school productions, and church drama ministries, Wallace has extensive experience as a public speaker, an activist, and an ordained Reverend. He is an accomplished poet and spoken word artist with a submission published in Hartford’s L.I.T. Anthology: 2020 Visions and Reflections.
Wallace is a Construction Project Manager at JF Petroleum Group. He resides in Bloomfield with his wife
and daughter. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Vice Chair of Angel of Edgewood inc.,
and Executive Board Member of Calling All Brothers.
Check him out on Instagram!
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 4: Mental Health Awareness Month -- May 26, 2023
Mental Health Awareness Month
As Mental Health Awareness Month, May is a wonderful time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlighting the ways that mental illness and addiction can affect all of us.
We all have a role to play in ending the stigma around mental health issues. It starts by showing compassion, so everyone feels free to ask for help. If you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, ask your healthcare provider, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP, or visit www.FindSupport.gov. If someone you know is going through a tough time, reach out and tell them you are there for them.
In addition to Mental Health Awareness Month, May is Older Americans Month. While there has been increased awareness about the youth mental health crisis in our country — a critically important action — the mental health of Americans aged 65 and older is often overlooked.
According to the American Hospital Organization, anxiety is currently the most common mental health concern among adults in the U.S. Yet, two-thirds of seniors with mental health concerns do not get the treatment they need. How many times have symptoms such as such as irritability, persistent worry, or insomnia been minimized as just “getting older.” ? Well, that explains why many older adults may not seek treatment or receive diagnoses. Most seniors with anxiety have struggled with the condition throughout life, but the anxiety may present itself differently as they age, further contributing to misdiagnoses.
We always say that it takes a village. Well, whether they are our parents, grandparents, spouses, peers or friends, our older adults — our seniors as they are often called — are the very foundation of that village. We are the recipients of their wisdom and it is our responsibility to make sure that their concerns are heard as well as ensure that better living conditions are created for them. They have contributed to society and remain a vitally important part of our community who deserve the highest quality of mental health care. Check out www.aha.org for more enlightening information.
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 5: Wounded Healer Poets' Brigade -- June 9, 2023
Russ Livingston, M.D.
Russ Livingston, M.D., is a Spoken Word Artist, Psychotherapist, and Systems Consultant whose unique blend of professional expertise shapes his perspective on social justice and the social determinants of health. He draws on psychodynamic, narrative, and family therapy schools of thought, to support families, couples, adults, and children, on their healing journeys.
He supports poets in exploring the power of artistic expression to optimize mental health and wellness.
In ongoing online workshops, he encourages the mindful cultivation of our receptive capacities to serve as a potent accelerant for the work of poets as well as the work of selfhood and building community.
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity”—Simone Weil
Follow him on Instagram!
Patricia Shaw, LSW
(aka Miss Lady)
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Miss Lady combines her talents as a Spoken Word Artist and Mental Health Therapist, creating a unique synergy of expressive power and therapeutic insight.
Seeing spoken word as a potent therapeutic tool, Miss Lady champions its use in the healing process, enabling those she works with to voice their experiences, overcome their trauma, and move toward a brighter future. Her belief in the transformative power of spoken word has led her to explore various platforms, continually finding innovative ways to bring the artist's message to wider audiences, thus interlacing her dedication to mental health with her passion for spoken word artistry.
In addition to her therapeutic work and spoken word endeavors, Miss Lady brings her talents to the entrepreneurial world as a Business Consultant, while also driving social change as the founder of a non-profit organization.
Follow us on Instagram!
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 6: Spotlight Series: Jeronimo Tatt -- June 23, 2023
Jeronimo Tatt
Jeronimo is a multitalented individual with skills including 16 years as a tattoo artist, talent in the visual arts, and poetry. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, known as an extremely blue collar city -- he still found a way to immerse himself into the arts. With poetry as his favorite type of expression, he spends his free time writing and performing at many open mics.
As a single father and stepfather, he creates many poetic pieces that are crafted with the hearts of Black men in mind. Anyone who has heard him perform can tell you that he has a knack for storytelling in a way that draws the listener in. This may stem from a desire to tell the story of people who cannot tell their own stories.
Follow him on Instagram! You may also find him on Facebook.
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 7: Spotlight Series: EDJ -- July 7, 2023
EDJ
Meet EDJ, a captivating and inspiring 12 year-old talented young lady who discovered her literary prowess at the tender age of ten. Since then, she has continued to hone her skills, using words as a powerful tool to express her internal struggles and navigate society's labels.
EDJ's writing dives into the depths of her own experiences, offering poignant insights into the challenges faced by children grappling with societal expectations. Through her prose, she shines a light on the transformative journey of self-discovery, inspiring others to find their own voices and embrace their unique identities.
But EDJ's passions don't end with writing alone. For the past five years, she has immersed herself into Tang Soo Do, channeling her determination and discipline to excel in this martial art. With eleven tournament placements under her belt, she's on her way to compete in the highly anticipated World Championship taking place in Washington, D.C. This year, she's also set to embark on the undertaking of the ultimate test: earning her Black Belt.
Through her words and martial arts achievements, EDJ proves that age is no barrier to pursuing one's passions and leaving an indelible mark on the world. Brace yourself for the sonic journey that awaits as EDJ's highly anticipated spoken word single, “Sour Patch Kids" hits all streaming platforms on 7/21/23. Pre-orders for this piece of art will be available starting 7/6/23.
EDJ remains ceaselessly creative. She is currently working on an EP that promises to captivate listeners with its thought-provoking lyrics. Simultaneously, she is crafting a poetry chapbook, inviting readers to immerse themselves in her world.
Stay tuned for EDJ's inspiring adventures, as she thoroughly embraces life's challenges, one powerful word and one impactful kick at a time.
Follow her on Instagram!
Pre-order EDJ's single "Sour Patch Kids" HERE!
Gimme the MiC! Season 10 Episode 8: Wounded Healer Poets' Brigade -- July 21, 2023
Russ Livingston, M.D.
Russ Livingston, M.D., is a Spoken Word Artist, Psychotherapist, and Systems Consultant whose unique blend of professional expertise shapes his perspective on social justice and the social determinants of health. He draws on psychodynamic, narrative, and family therapy schools of thought, to support families, couples, adults, and children, on their healing journeys.
He supports poets in exploring the power of artistic expression to optimize mental health and wellness.
In ongoing online workshops, he encourages the mindful cultivation of our receptive capacities to serve as a potent accelerant for the work of poets as well as the work of selfhood and building community.
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity”—Simone Weil
Follow him on Instagram!
Patricia Shaw, LSW
(aka Miss Lady)
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Miss Lady combines her talents as a Spoken Word Artist and Mental Health Therapist, creating a unique synergy of expressive power and therapeutic insight.
Seeing spoken word as a potent therapeutic tool, Miss Lady champions its use in the healing process, enabling those she works with to voice their experiences, overcome their trauma, and move toward a brighter future. Her belief in the transformative power of spoken word has led her to explore various platforms, continually finding innovative ways to bring the artist's message to wider audiences, thus interlacing her dedication to mental health with her passion for spoken word artistry.
In addition to her therapeutic work and spoken word endeavors, Miss Lady brings her talents to the entrepreneurial world as a Business Consultant, while also driving social change as the founder of a non-profit organization.
Follow us on Instagram!
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