Real Life Poets

We are a 501 c3 non-profit community service and mentoring organization focusing on mentoring young adults, encouraging good communication, and oratorical skills using spoken word poetry and the arts. We organize community programs, such as Operation Mustard Seed (OMS) Coats for the Cold, and OMS Annual Community Health Fair, and various workshops in order to fulfill our mission. We have facilitated workshops for The Birmingham C.A.N. Summer program, several within the Better Basics Enrichment Program, including workshops within their four HOPE centers, Jefferson County Library Cooperative’s Word Up student poetry slam workshops, and The Birmingham Mayors office and Division of Youth Services Kiddie Club. Because of the students interest and desire to continue writing and performing outside of the workshops we created a teen open Mic, Flow Tactics, hosted by teen artist the 3rd Saturday of every month. Real Life Poets Inc. and its members have formed several noteworthy alliances and partnerships. The organization is a member of the Central Alabama Mentors Coalition (CAMC), and a vendor for Jefferson County Department of Human Resources’ Independent Living Program. Several members are adult literacy tutors for Pro-Literacy America, mentors for Birmingham Department of Human Resources, and are also on the Boards of Dessert Island Supply Company (DISCO); Hip-Hop is Music Foundation (HHIM), and the Museum of Urban Arts (MUA). We have also partnered with UAB’s Anthro-Teach envir ... view more »

We are a 501 c3 non-profit community service and mentoring organization focusing on mentoring young adults, encouraging good communication, and oratorical skills using spoken word poetry and the arts. We organize community programs, such as Operation Mustard Seed (OMS) Coats for the Cold, and OMS Annual Community Health Fair, and various workshops in order to fulfill our mission. We have facilitated workshops for The Birmingham C.A.N. Summer program, several within the Better Basics Enrichment Program, including workshops within their four HOPE centers, Jefferson County Library Cooperative’s Word Up student poetry slam workshops, and The Birmingham Mayors office and Division of Youth Services Kiddie Club. Because of the students interest and desire to continue writing and performing outside of the workshops we created a teen open Mic, Flow Tactics, hosted by teen artist the 3rd Saturday of every month. Real Life Poets Inc. and its members have formed several noteworthy alliances and partnerships. The organization is a member of the Central Alabama Mentors Coalition (CAMC), and a vendor for Jefferson County Department of Human Resources’ Independent Living Program. Several members are adult literacy tutors for Pro-Literacy America, mentors for Birmingham Department of Human Resources, and are also on the Boards of Dessert Island Supply Company (DISCO); Hip-Hop is Music Foundation (HHIM), and the Museum of Urban Arts (MUA). We have also partnered with UAB’s Anthro-Teach environmental non- profit organization (teen poetry slam), and Family Impact Counseling Center (specializing in mentoring the kids of incarcerated parents). Individual members have a wide variety of skills and professions which enhance the organizations flexibility and impact. We are comprised of Emmy nominated poets, visual artists, musicians, singers, media specialists, culinary artists, social workers, elementary and college level educators. To date we, Real Life Poets Inc., have used words and the arts to fulfill our mission of inspiration by changing minds one rhyme at a time.

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