Poets Reading Poetry

Whiskey Girl joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown for an episode that is as silly as it is serious! Whiskey Girl is a Washington, DC-based blogger, self-published author, spoken word artist and single mother with a full-time professional career in the health field. She lends her unique voice and perspective to her own WG’s Embrace the Crazy blog. In addition to writing, her true passions include public...

Dominic “Nerd” McDonald is a young Black Entrepreneur and Spoken Word artist from various cities in Los Angeles, California but currently living in the Southeast sector of Washington D.C. giving him the self-proclaimed name of the "Bi-Coastal Poetry Playboy". He has put his views on growing up in the inner city between two households, Hip Hop music, being a social outcast, college experi...

PAGES matam (They/he) is a genderqueer med-school dropout turned award-winning multi-hyphenate born and raised in Cameroon, Central Africa. A multi-lingual pleasure advocate and agent of imagination, they love battle horror anime and fried plantains as much as crafting work centering Queer Black liberation fueled by Toni Morrison’s words: “the function of freedom is to free someone else.” www.page...

"I cannot swim, but I am a fierce swimmer of my poems" - Regie Cabico This episode was a treat to record. A treasure trove of quotes and insight - Chatting with Regie Cabico is always a gift. With episode 7 we are celebrating queer life, the many places poetry can lead you, and the joy of new works. We even got a taste of Regie's forthcoming collection, A Rabbit In Search of a Rolex....

Camilo Montoya (never Cam!) is a man of talents. A musician, videographer, activist, and poet - Camilo speaks with a compassion and drive that shows he's lived a life. Camilo and Dwayne discuss poetry and the power to build bridges while calling out oppression and aggressions. Also, a young child came on stage and grabbed a truck. Anything can happen with live recording! Follow Rasheed on inst...

Episode #5 - The Capricorn Mind Meld Rasheed Copeland is many things. Father, poet, performer, fashion icon, chef, learner on all fronts... I could go on. There is a reason why this episode in one of the longest in the Poets Reading Poetry series and why Rasheed in the guest for National Poetry Month. Rasheed and I go beyond the trappings of poetry to discuss masculinity and accountability, the im...

Episode #4: A Rainbow Flies Over The Southside Season 2 jumps into Women’s History Month with 2 Chill Phyl joining our host, Dwayne Lawson-Brown to talk Washington DC, finding your creative voice, and remaining authentic in the face of adversity! 2 Chill Phyl is a poet and performer dedicated to leaving audiences in a better space that she found them. Follow 2 Chill Phyl on Instagram at @2ChillPhy...

Episode #3: Of Laughter and Light Season 2 continues with Alexa Patrick joining our host, Dwayne Lawson-Brown to talk creative outlets, finding light while grieving, and her new collection of poetry! Alexa Patrick is a poet and vocalist from Connecticut. She is a Cave Canem fellow and Tin House alumna. She has also been cast in the featured role of Unsung in We Shall Not Be Moved , an opera under...

Season 2: Episode 2 - Electric Boogaloo! Season 2 continues with Rebecca Bishophall taking the stage to share poetry, talk family, and speak on the joy of karaoke! Rebecca Bishophall is a DC Native, mother, and author of No Sweat: Poems From An American Youth and co-author of Breaking The Blank , written with Dwayne Lawson-Brown. Joined by a live audience - Dwayne and Rebecca bring friendship to t...

Season 2: The Poets Write Back! The Season 2 opener features Poet, Rocker, and Educator, Kenny Carroll III! Born and raised in DC, Kenny Carroll III served as the 2017 DC Youth Poet Laureate. He is a Sarah Lawrence and Watering Hole Fellow. His work is published in or forthcoming from The Split This Rock Quarry, Mixed Mag, Hill Rag, Beltway Quarterly, and more. Kenny joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown...

Butterfly Free is a survivor - paving the way for others to share their truth with bravery and without apology. Join Butterfly Free and host, Dwayne Lawson-Brown for poetry, nerdy chat, and a healthy dose of humanity. Support Butterfly Free: Instagram: @Miss_ButterflyFree

Luna The Poet is a beam of light in human form. Dionne “Luna” Tenhue is a DC Native who believes that if your ship doesn’t sail in, swim out to meet it. She feels that every dream is attainable if you’re willing to put in the work to reach those dreams. Luna has created space to cultivate, enrich, and uplift the spirit of creativity. Luna self-published 2 collections of poetry - “Welcome Me,” and...

Tik-Tok Ya Don't Stop is a force for positive change. With poetry equal parts personal and communal - work that aims to reinforce your power while confronting your demons - TiK-Tok is a priceless member of DC's artistic tapestry. In this episode, Tik-Tok joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown for poetry and discussion around parenting, mentorship, and confronting your "imposter". Tap in and vibe out! Supp...

This is one for the ages! Drew Anderson joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown for a conversation on artists and their processes, changes on the DC scene, and nonsensical rap lyrics. A dialogue in verse that moonlights as a celebration of each other. More about Drew Anderson: New Orleans, Louisiana bred (and now District of Columbia based) hip hop artist, slam poet, producer, screenwriter, host, and veter...

Brandon Douglas, a product of the land known as Washington, DC, began writing raps when he was 12. He later fused poetry and hip-hop to form his secret weapon as a tool of self-expression. Since then, he has opened for Maxwell and the late Gil Scott Heron, and graced stages at the Woolly Mammoth Theater, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, the Phil...

*Update: Since this recording, our featured poet is celebrating their fuller self as Amasa. The name used during the recording is a reflection of the time of the recording, but the work shared is still incredibly valid and timely.* In our closing episode of #PrideMonth - Our host Dwayne Lawson-Brown is joined by Arlington County Youth Poet Laureate, Amasa Maleski! Amasa Maleski is a writer, musici...

Singer, Songwriter, Poet, all around amazing person, LeeBruh Greene joins Dwayne Lawson-Brown to discuss home, creativity, and his process while sharing poetry exploring love, lust, ad matters of the heart. Support LeeBruh Greene's music: Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Left-Hand-LeeBruh-Explicit-Greene/dp/B07YFMHBRN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/08SiJKNBLYbLVyKxF4BQdP?si=Gf9P7Dm_T1KeS...

Guess what... in this episode... two poets... *whispers* read poetry. In our third episode, host Dwayne Lawson-Brown, is joined by Gowri K, a queer Tamil writer, performing artist, teacher, and lawyer whose family immigrated to the U.S. from Sri Lanka. Her advocacy has addressed animal welfare, the environment, the rights of prisoners and the criminally accused in the U.S., and justice and account...

In this very special episode our host Dwayne Lawson-Brown and featured poet Samantha G not only battle the nerves of sharing intensely personal work, but also battle technology and it's trappings. Content warning: the works shared in this episode discuss varying levels of harm and experiences with memory. Follow and support Samantha G's work on all social media platforms - @SheBeSamanthaG Support...

It's our first official episode! Sarah D Lawson is a DC-based queer writer whose poems are rooted in self, exploring themes of body, love, sexuality and gender. Her work has been featured on Button Poetry and Everyday Feminism , and published by Write Bloody Publishing, FreezeRay Press, and Drunk In A Midnight Choir . She is the founder of the Beltway Poetry Slam in Washington, DC and served as th...