kweisi gharreau

Description

Self-Published Author,

one, two, three...i LOVE Poet-Tree book, K-5th grade, 2023

IG post from FEB. 17th at KIPP Academy-

Pre-Pandemic volunteered as a Parent/Poet at Canfield Elementary School/LA, "˜14-"˜20

Self-Published Author of an anthology of poetry, n'nocent RAGE, 1999

-Student at Park Manor Elementary School on the south-side from MTVP in December:

IG post-https://www.instagram.com/tv/CmNFXbJACUy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Work Sample

The self entitled film short, kweisi was produced in 2008 for LA Elevate Film Festival winning best film short. It is under five-minutes. kweisi won several other film festival awards. kweisi air on CURRENTV in 2011 in 60 million homes. It was produce in remembrance of my younger brother, James Lemar Ford aka Lemont who's intrepid act save his friend's life. Poetry empowered me to write, meet and forgive the killers.

The samples I submitted relates to my entire body of work in showing the ebbs and flow of my experiences in life. I seek to share my creative perspective to agitate and provoke thought that we as humans can see that we have more in common than differences.

History

I am a poet from the south side of Chicago. I became a poet because of my brother, Lemont's act of bravery in saving his friend's life. Initially in dealing with this tenacious tumultuous time, I had turn to drug, drinking, physical relationships with women and thoughts of suicide. When I found poetry or poetry found me, poetry saved my life. I wrote, met and forgave the killers. I studied abroad in Master's of Literature program in Oxford, England.

Artistic Vision

The artistic vision of my work is to use poetry to inspire, empower and provoke thought. My message is simply about a lifestyle of Peace, Love and Forgiveness in which I share with the world

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

I have a creative writing curriculum, MTVP (Minimizing Thoughts of Violence through Poetry) 6th-12th graders. I also, have a children's book, one, two, three, i LOVE poet-tree for k-5th graders in teaching young students self-love through pictorial poems and/or writing. It writing session can be 4-12 weeks (1-5 days a week) pending budget.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

I am an ethnic artist. However, my creative message of Peace, Love and Forgiveness is universal for everyone. It is hip-hop poetry/spoken-word. It relates to my heritage by using art to heal the culture and the community.