I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. Growing up in a culture rich with oral traditions where songs, poems, and stories are central to how we understand ourselves, writing felt like a natural extension of who I was. But my journey into poetry truly deepened when my family moved to Canada.
I was just 13, navigating a new world, and writing became my way of making sense of it all. At first, it was personal, a quiet space to process my experiences. But as I started sharing my poems, I saw how they resonated with people. Their responses encouraged me to keep going, to explore writing not just as an outlet but as a way of life.
When Words Heal
One of the most beautiful things about being a poet who also performs is witnessing the immediate impact of my work. Watching the words I have written unfold in real-time, in rooms filled with people who respond in the moment is an indescribable feeling. Years ago, someone reached out about a poem they had heard in a recording. They weren’t even in the same physical space as me, yet my words carried them through what they described as one of the darkest times of their life. They repeated that poem over and over again until they found a way forward. That kind of connection is an incredible privilege.
Sisterhood is a Sanctuary
My poem Sanctuary is both a celebration and a reminder that sisterhood is powerful. It is a space of healing, care, and support, but it can also hold pain, disagreements, and distance. Sometimes, we focus so much on the relationships that have fractured that we forget to turn to the ones that have remained steadfast.
Sanctuary is about honouring the people who have always been there, standing to our left and right, offering us safety. It’s about seeing them, recognizing them, and cherishing the space they hold for us.
Navigating Arts and Identity
Shifting from a structured engineering career into the world of art was a challenge. Unlike engineering, where there’s a clear trajectory, art requires carving out your own space, building an audience, and sustaining that connection. It’s a lifelong journey, balancing creativity with the practical realities of sustaining an artistic career.
I see my identity as a Black woman as an entry point into a rich, magical community of people who uplift me. I create for people who understand my context, and who need these words. My focus is always on those who see themselves reflected in my work and who see me clearly in return.
The Women Who Walk With Me
There’s a line from my album, Sis that says, “Everywhere that I am loved well, there are women.” That line rings true in every part of my life. From my personal life, growing up as the youngest of four girls, to my professional journey, women have always played a pivotal role. They’ve spoken my name in rooms I wasn’t in, recommended me for opportunities, and created spaces for my work to thrive. Time and again, the biggest moments in my career have come because a woman said, “Her. Consider her.” My work is, in many ways, a love letter to sisterhood.
Finding Truth in Verse
At the heart of it all, my work is about telling the stories that feel most urgent and truthful to me and in doing so I have found my tribe, a space to share the joys, struggles, and triumphs of womanhood. Poetry allows me to capture the nuances of our strength, our resilience, and our tenderness. A core goal of mine is to make people feel just a little less alone. Poetry has given me a way to name my experiences, connect with others, and build something lasting. As I move forward, I hope to keep creating work that resonates, that offers sanctuary.
What’s Next?
On May 11, I have a showcase at the Ziegler Dome in Edmonton. It’s Mother’s Day and it’s also a meditation on sisterhood. I’m excited to bring my poetry to life in that magical space. Beyond that, I’m working on a novel. And, of course, balancing it all with the joy and work of being present with my family and raising my children while continuing to create.
