THE THREE DIVAS: Part II

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—-Poets Who Perform—-

By Marjorie J. Hurst

3 Divas Part 2Last month for Women’s History Month, I was privileged to introduce you to three remarkably talented, young female poets, Lynnette Elizabeth Johnson, Latoya Bosworth (Brenda’s Child) and Crystal Senter-Brown: The Three Divas. And this month, in celebration of National Poetry Month, we continue our focus on these gifted, artistic women and learn a little about what drives them.

Although their styles of poetry and their spoken word deliveries differ, it is uncanny how much alike they are in thought, motivation and direction. Both Lynnette and Crystal remembered how they first connected at Latoya’s open mic at Blue Fusion where they often were among the very rare female spoken word artists. Thereafter, the three became close and “built a relationship, supporting each other in creative and professional endeavors,” stated Lynnette. These three ladies of the pen and voice are even in a book club together called “The Artsy Friends Book Club.”      Latoya summed up their friendship in a nutshell, “Our bond is tight and our love and support of each other is genuine.”

The three even have some quirky similarities, such as all three being single parents at some point in their lives and all of them being mothers of only boys. Additionally, Lynnette and Latoya were pregnant at the same time and Crystal is the godmother to Latoya’s 4-year-old son.

This month, The Three Divas graciously open up to POV, sharing their innermost selves, their future dreams and, most specially, a poem.

What motivated you to start writing?

Lynnette:  Early encouragement from teachers cultivated an interest in writing. I got special attention for short stories and poems. It began as a way to please my teachers who I loved. Mrs. Brunelle in 3rd grade. Mrs. Rome in 4th. I discovered early how reading something made people feel.

Latoya:  I discovered my gift through the last gift my maternal grandmother gave me. She raised me after my mother passed away when I was four. Unfortunately she died on Christmas Day when I was 13. The diary I opened on that day is where I wrote my first poem. It was journal writing and poetry that helped me to cope with my grief and anger.

Crystal:  My mother enrolled me in a community poetry class when I was five, so I began memorizing poems at that age. I started writing my own poetry when I was in my late teens and shared my own poetry in front of an audience for the first time when I was 20.

How did you find your voice?

Lynnette: It is very important to me that my writing voice is unapologetically black and timeless. I want my writing to be relevant and appropriate and funny in 100 years. Practice, reading, experimenting with style and humor helped me discover a way of saying a thing that sounds like I am speaking and not someone else. I’m still growing.

Latoya: I’ve always been out spoken or “sassy” is what it was called when I was a kid. Speaking up for myself was never an issue. Realizing that I had something important to say came along with personal and professional growth. My experience of working with the disempowered in education, social services and in the community is what helped me most. By helping them to find their voice, I found mine.

Crystal: A college professor gave me a copy of Lucille Clifton’s poetry and it was the first time I read poems that reminded me of my own! That helped me to be more comfortable with my own work.

Describe your poetic style

Lynnette: I would describe myself as a story teller and a love poet. I have a gentle and comedic voice in my writing. I tend to write with Black people and women in mind. I use language that will not allow the reader to hear anything but a Black Woman when they pick up my work.

Latoya: I think it’s like a shot of flavored vodka―everyone can’t handle it straight with no chaser. Sometimes it burns your chest and can be hard to swallow. Other times it makes you warm and tingly.

Crystal: My style is similar to Lucille Clifton and Nikki Giovanni because I don’t really follow a format and my rhyming is very sporadic. My poems are also usually pretty short and to the point.

Who was/is your inspiration?

Lynnette: Emotion inspires me. Disrespect. Joy. Kindness. Injustice. Living inspires writing.

Latoya: The unlived lives of people who die young, like my mother, other family members, and, unfortunately, students. I feel it’s my duty to live my live to the fullest for those who couldn’t. Poetically speaking, I adore Maya Angelou’s wisdom, Langston Hughes’ word play, and  Nikki Giovanni’s gangster.

Crystal: My husband and son, my mother, and my awesome life.

Did/do you have a mentor?

Lynnette: Crystal Senter Brown has been a tremendous teacher in the process of publishing. Latoya Bosworth is awesome at promoting and branding. Darryl Moss was very influential in getting me in front of different audiences.

Latoya: I have yet to ask anyone to be my mentor, but I definitely have my own examples of powerful women of color who have set the stage for me. My work in nonprofit is all due to Dora Robinson who got me my first job in the field and has been there since. My work as a teacher is inspired by the teacher who had the greatest impact on my self-esteem, Carol Sullivan at Central High School. And watching you, Marjorie Hurst, run several businesses side by side with your husband makes me say “Why Not?” when it comes to my future goals. I don’t know if you remember, but it was you who said to me back in 2006 that I should put my poetry into a book. So I did, and then I couldn’t stop. 10 years later, I have published 8 books. I think what’s most important is surrounding myself with honest, supportive people who I can count on for honest, knowledgeable advice.

Crystal: I would love one! The last mentor I had was Professor Margaret Szumowski from STCC. She passed away a few years ago.

Did you ever experience a breaking point in your efforts to promote your work?

Lynnette: Not yet. I still feel like I am climbing. It is still early.

Latoya: Never. Because I know people are watching, people who are looking for me to lead by example. Whenever I’m discouraged about anything, I think of all of my students, my mentees, my sons, young women, who are watching and need to see someone who doesn’t give up on their dreams no matter the obstacles. Because our young people need positive examples right in their neighborhood instead of on TV or social media.

Crystal:   Never! I love to write and share it with others.

How do you get the courage to speak out loud about your innermost feelings and emotions?

Lynnette: I think you have to be scared to be courageous. Writing is therapy. Sharing and connecting with an audience is wholly selfish. It is a chance to be heard and seen and felt. I feel most vulnerable when I am done speaking. I need courage to interact with people post performance or book release unless it is a very intimate setting.

Latoya: I know it’s my responsibility to be vulnerable. By telling my truth, I inspire others to tell their truth, to be resilient, to take action.

Crystal: I think writing heals others. People like to hear a poem and say “me too!”

Do you consider yourself a diva? What is a diva?

Lynnette: When I think of the word Diva, I think of someone grand and demanding and regal. I almost always imagine someone who is Black and mature in age. I receive it as a compliment but I have never called myself Diva. I think I need to be more traveled and experienced and older. Catch me in 15 years. Maybe that will be the name of a book.

Latoya: Yes. While this word can sometimes have a negative connotation, for me it’s all about the confidence it takes to show up and be who you are, to set a standard. For my Gifted Diva Showcase, a self-esteem exhibition for inner city girls, DIVA is an acronym―Determination, Intelligence, Values, and Attitude (Positive that is.)

Crystal: I’ve never considered myself to be a diva! I would like to think that I am a great writer, and I try to be as down to earth and humble as I can be!

What is your favorite era and has that time period inspired your style in any way?

Lynnette: I feel very grateful to be alive right now. This is my favorite era. Everything feels possible.

Latoya: I’m definitely a 70s baby. I love everything big, bright and colorful. Big hair, big jewelry, funky color combos.

Crystal: I loved learning about the Harlem Renaissance, because it seemed like everyone really supported each other back then. The little circle I am part of helps me to feel supported, which I am thankful for!

Do you feel threatened by other talent, i.e. when you perform?

Lynnette: When I am performing I own my moment. I am confident and I always feel like I belong. Every now and then I will encounter a poet who has touched a subject that I have but done it with more power and passion. I get a little jealous of that. And then I work harder. I don’t need to be the best. But I want to be great. And I strive to be better than I’ve been.

Latoya:  10 years ago, yes. Today… absolutely not. For two reasons: First, I know I have something unique to offer. I am aware that I am living in my purpose;, I have a job to do. So while I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I believe my words fall on the ears and into the hearts of those who they are meant to heal. Secondly, I’m fortunate to work alongside poets who are my true friends, whom I admire (like Crystal Senter Brown, Lynnette Johnson and others), and who support me 150% helping to promote my events and products.

Crystal: Not at all! I appreciate being around talented people! It inspires me to work harder and create more!

If you were to give advice to younger spoken word artists, what would you say?

Lynnette: Write, read, write, share. Be open to honest, useful feedback. Don’t be distracted by praise or insults. Keep reading and writing.

Latoya: Be unabashedly you. When you are true to yourself, your purpose will be revealed and everything that ever happened to you, good or bad, will make sense; everything will work out more beautifully than you could imagine.

Crystal: Write every day! Practice your poems. Memorize at least one poem that you can perform whenever asked. And read!!!

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Lynnette: I see myself teaching. I see myself at luncheons at the White House. I see myself writing more. Being more vocal about sexism, racism and injustice. Traveling farther. Encouraging young mothers. Being pleased at the beautiful man my son will turn out to be. I see a bright future.

Latoya: In the near future, I see myself walking across that stage a Dr. Boz. And then I see myself on more stages, in classrooms across America, telling my story with a combinations of poetry and motivational speech; providing professional development to teachers and nonprofit staff who work with youth; selling 6 million copies of my next book, thus saving countless lives. (You’ll just have to see what I mean. It’s kind of top secret right now). I also plan to open a transitional home for young women and expand my mentoring and arts program, Keep Youth Dreaming and Striving (KYDS).

Crystal: Teaching full time at a university and touring part time as part of my multi-book deal with Random House or Penguin books.

As I said in Part I in the March issue, to know these young women is to be utterly inspired―inspired by their awesome talent, inspired by their tremendous accomplishments, inspired by their remarkable aspirations and thrilled at the thought of what they bring to the next generation. Ladies, you are indeed “Divas” and we are very proud of you!

It’s Going to Rain on your Head

By Lynnette Johnson

You are well overdue
any minute now
the winds of change
will bring you something to celebrate
You will be drowning in favor
and not debt
rejoicing with new love
and increase
it will be a downpour
a cleansing shower
a joyous occasion
the drought is over
I caught a glimpse of your forecast in a dream
it is your turn to splash in the puddles
it’s going to be torrential
take off your shoes
and get ready to dance in the rain.

Johnson, Lynnette. “Purple.” Massachusetts: Createspace, 2015. 34. Print.

Purpose

By Brenda’s Child

My purpose in life is to use my story as a testimony
So those in the darkness can’t see that
There is no such thing as excuses or limits
Restrictions or boundaries
It starts with acceptance, and self-love
Which leads to confidence,
Then anything can be accomplished.
My past is significant
It shaped me, but it doesn’t define me
The world owes me no favors
Because I suffered awful tragedies.
As a matter of fact I owe it to my mother and her mother to continue their legacy
Of love, encouragement and stern nurturing
I must lead by example and set high expectations
For those who don’t recognize their potential, their magnificence,
I’ll quote Maya,
“She stands in the classroom loving children into understanding”
That’s me,
This is my burden but it’s more of a blessing
I’m the wounded healer.
learning about myself, while teaching life lessons

Excerpt from the poem, “Purpose”

Loving out loud

By Crystal Senter-Brown

He hates opera.
says hip hop is the future!
I nod – say nothing.

Turn it down! I beg.
he’s happy when his music
harasses the birds.

While driving, we’re more
like strangers than man and wife,
one- third of our lives

have been spent this way:
in his car, fighting about
which station to play.

As the steam rises
from my ears, he calls me “dear”,
turning the channel to

NPR, where we
listen to other people
fight about nothing.

He knows my strange ways-
he has helped write my story.
Seeing me at my

very best, and worst,
he wipes my tears, calming me
with just a glance.

He is my Sunday
revival, my sonnet, when
I can’t find the words-

he taps his fingers
along my spine, pulling the
poems out of me.
He sails my spirit
to the clouds…who needs music
when love’s this loud?

(c) 2014 Crystal Senter-Brown

Lynnette’s favorite book: Purple_Lynnette

Purple is my favorite. It is my most deliberate collection. It is also my most recent. You grow and develop as an artist and a person. The ideas in Purple are still fresh and relevant to me. (Lynnette is the author of 3 books of poetry.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latoya’s (Brenda’s Child) favorite book:  12039284_900924673327178_1659262393874203824_n

Right now, I think it’s my novella, On Her Own Two Feet, because it’s the story that’s representative of H.E.R.S. It’s about growth, dreams, love, closure, acceptance and it’s sexy, funny and realistic. (Brenda’s Child is the author of 3 books of poetry, 2 novellas, a memoir and is the editor of a teen anthology of poems and essays.)

 

 

 

 

Crystal’s favorite book:  The Rhythm In Blue_Crystal Brown

I would have to say my favorite is The Rhythm in Blue because it brought so many awesome people into my life, and it allowed me to travel to see it being made into a full-length movie! I also personally think it is a great story. (Crystal is the author of two books of poetry, 2 children’s books, 2 novels and several music CDs)

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