We just wrapped week one of our first session and so far it has been an absolute success. Our students are motivated and energetic, and our instructors have led them through fun exercises and activities establishing the fundamentals of both fiction and poetry.
As we move into our final week of session one, we thought now would be a good time to introduce to you the wonderful instructors who will be leading session two, starting July 3rd. Meet Shameka Poetry Thomas and Miguel Pichardo, two home grown Miamians who have accomplished a lot on the page and have a passion for educating the Magic City youth.
Shameka Poetry Thomas, M.A.
Tell us a little about yourself: Where are you from originally? What sort of writing do you do? What are you working on right now?
I was born and raised in Opa-Locka (3-0-5 DADE COUNTY, lol)! I am an international spoken word artist and poet (which is the theatrical and oratorical version of creative writing). I am the founder of the SISTA-SPEAK UP Poetry organization at my alma mater, Spelman College, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Since then, I have studied abroad in South Africa and was nominated as one of the top ten spoken word poets of Cape Town in 2008. I have performed my poetry in Dubai, Cuba, and Kenya. Currently, I am a PhD candidate at the University of Miami. However, I still perform my poetry throughout various open-mics in Miami as a hobby. I am also the proud mom of my five-year-old daughter, who has already started memorizing the poem “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson.
What made you want to join the PageSlayers teaching staff this summer?
I LOVE SEEING KIDS THINK OUT LOUD!!! I think it’s fascinating to dream big with children and allow them to paint their skies orange or purple! I joined PageSlayers as a Lead Teacher because I want kids to SLAYYYYYY, write, and speak from their hearts and souls!
What are you looking forward to most in the program?
I am definitely looking forward to getting to know each and every personality in my classroom! I am excited to see their transformations and to help them discover their own voices. I am also excited to turn reading and writing into summer fun!
When did you first fall in love with creative writing?
I performed my first poem, entitled “I AM THE BLACK CHILD” when I was about five years old. I have always loved writing, reading, performance poetry, dancing to reggae music, and being full of wonder lust! I am an old soul with a young heart. That helps me fall in love with poems, quotes, journal entries, and novels—differently, and in every season!
Why do you think it is important that students in the program have the opportunity to be exposed to creative writing at an early age?
To find an outlet. To learn a new “love” language. To hear themselves. To hear others. To Be. And most importantly: TO FEEL / EXPRESS.
Where can students, parents or supporters find out more about you and your work?
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Miguel Pichardo
Tell us a little about yourself: Where are you from originally? What sort of writing do you do? What are you working on right now?
I was born in Queens, New York but moved down to sunny Miami when I was six. As a Latino man of Dominican and Ecuadorian descent, I try to convey the nuances of my cultures through poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Currently, I am the Editor-in-Chief of Fjords Review, an international literary magazine. I am also working on my thesis project as an MFA candidate at Florida International University.
What made you want to join the PageSlayers teaching staff this summer?
The Knight Foundation granted me a fellowship to attend FIU, and since then, I’ve considered the organization a champion for art and culture in the Magic City. When Dana De Greff was awarded the Knight Arts Challenge to make PageSlayers possible, I thought I couldn’t be more excited for her. But then she invited me to participate in a program that catered to the creative needs of young people of color, and my excitement reached a whole new level. I’m as thrilled as I am proud to be a part of a team that values our youth’s artistic expression as gifts that should be nurtured and shared.
What are you looking forward to most in the program?
I’m a kid at heart, so I honestly cannot wait to play games with the students. Our curriculum incorporates play into the creative process, which I believe is essential for raw expression. When students come together to play, they can cut loose, be themselves, and bring that authenticity to the page.
When did you first fall in love with creative writing?
I suppose it was in middle school when I started rapping with my friends. I didn’t know I was writing poetry; I just knew that with the right rhythm and cadence, language could produce art. We kept making music until I went away to college in New York. I was rapping less, but reading more. It wasn’t until I saw my reflection in the pages of Junot Diaz’s Drown that I realized I could write something authentic, even beautiful without beats and rhymes. I took every creative writing course I could and have been refining my craft ever since.
Why do you think it is important that students in the program have the opportunity to be exposed to creative writing at an early age?
Having spent my childhood in Miami, I know that it can be a confusing time for many kids, especially for children of color. Creative writing can help them navigate their frustrations and bring light to their hopes for the future, as it has for me.
Where can students, parents or supporters find out more about you and your work?
My work has appeared in the online magazines Luna Luna, Duende, and Literary Orphans.