MEET THE WRITERS OF THE VISUAL POEM: “WHO AM I”

Choose 180

Choose 180 engages youth in critical moments and empowers them to make positive changes in their lives, especially when facing jail time or school expulsion. They transform the lives of youth and young adults by partnering with institutional leaders, connecting them with community, empowering them with workshops, and teaching them the skills necessary to avoid engagement with the criminal legal system.

Learn more about them here.

Creative Justice

An arts-based alternative to incarceration for young people in King County. They build community with youth most impacted by the school-to-prison-(to-deportation) pipeline. Participants and mentor artists work together to examine the root causes of incarceration—like systemic racism and other forms of oppression—creating art that articulates the power and potential of our communities.

Learn more about their partnership with "Who Am I" here.

Akunna Amaefule

Akunna is a 20-something year old writer and event planner, among many other things. Born and raised in South Seattle with Nigerian roots, her upbringing and diverse life experiences have shaped her into the woman she is today.

Akunna graduated from Grambling State University in 2014 and promptly moved back to her home state of Washington. There, she began her writing career, contributing to local publications and media outlets.

In July 2020, she launched her personal publication, PlsExcuseMyPen, a site which serves as a representation of herself. There, Akunna continues to fulfill her passionate mission to amplify Black voices in music, art, and beyond. She hosts a monthly virtual event called 'PlsBreathe,' with the intention to hold space for other Black women who need a safe place to be. Akunna believes she is one of the coolest [people] on this planet.

What motivated you to write for Who Am I"?

Perspective is an extremely important factor in life that many seem to overlook. Being a Black woman, my perspective is not valued in many spaces, so I was motivated by the opportunity to share my perspective and help amplify Black voices at the same time. Amplifying Black voices is my passion, so it meant a lot to me to lend my voice to so many other Black creatives.

What did the writing process look like?

While I absolutely love creative collaboration, this was the first time that I collaborated on a written piece of this nature. Luckily, Devonnie, Will, and I worked extremely well together, even under these not-so-ideal circumstances. We initially met virtually and after hearing the general concept of the short film, we took some time to brainstorm together. It was funny at first, trying to combine all three of our styles into one piece that represented so many people. We didn't have as much time as any of us was used to reserving for our creative processes, but after finding inspiration in Langston Hughes' "I Too," we somewhat found a flow. In the end, we were able to combine our three distinct and creative voices to birth this beautiful, lively, piece that many can relate to.

How do you want to shape the world with your art?

The great Solange Knowles once said "I can't be a singular expression of myself. There's too many parts, too many spaces, too many manifestations, too many lines, too many curves, too many troubles, too many journeys, too many mountains, too many rivers, so many…" I feel that with every fiber of my being. I am not "just a writer." I am an artist of many mediums and my words are just one. I make art when I speak, when I laugh, and when I dance. I don't want to shape the world with my art. The world shapes me, and I live through my art. I hope that makes sense. If not, I hope it does someday.

What do you want people to know about art and creativity in Seattle? What makes it unique?

I don't want to tell people about art and creativity in Seattle because I don't want anyone to take my word for it. I want them to find out for themselves. Watch "Who Am I" and find a creative that you want to learn more about. Consume their art. Learn about their creativity. Then email or message me and tell me something you learned about art and creativity in Seattle. I could tell you what I know, but you finding out firsthand would be so much better.

Devonnie Black

Devonnie A. Black is a 30-year-old Jamaica-born, New York-raised storyteller. She loves telling stories and sharing experiences. She attributes her cultured upbringing as an aid in her creativity. After discovering her love for storytelling at the young age of eight, she decided to tell stories in whichever way she could. She attended a culinary arts high school when she realized that her first known medium of storytelling had been through the meals her father prepared. When Devon made dinner, friends and family would always stop by and what ensued would be lots of loud laughter, retelling of tales while sharing her Jamaican heritage and of course, food.

After high school, she pursued a Theatre and Performance degree and graduated in 2012 from SUNY Purchase College. She is inspired by real life situations and transforming every day experiences into a narrative that can be performed theatrically. Some of her influences include Meryl Streep, Ntozake Shange, Anna Deavere Smith and Jasmine Mans. She loves spoken word and uses the platform of performance to enhance the audiences experience in theatre viewing as well as a form of expression in her daily life.

Her first poetry book is coming soon!

What motivated you to write for "Who Am I"?

With everything going on and all the uncertainty in the world, I wanted to do what I know best. I wanted to share my own contribution to the revolution in a way that feels right to me. Plus, being able to highlight, celebrate, and give voice to creators of color will never go out of style for me.

What did the writing process look like?

I was one of three writers on the project. We were given a very short deadline which isn’t typically how I work, but we were able to use technology to keep in touch and power through writing the piece. We pulled inspiration from different sources. Langston Hughes’ poem "I, Too, Am America" really helped us narrow down what we wanted to say and how we wanted to say it. After that it was all about writing in our own voices and then finding a way to weave them together to be one sound.

How do you want to shape the world with your art?

I love causing reactions with my art. My words. I love watching people inhale sharply when a line hits them right in the heart. I take note of the way eyes will shutter closed on deep sighs. I love helping people remember how to feel. Words can set you free. They can also document time beautifully and this is my personal way of adding to history.

What do you want people to know about art and creativity in Seattle? What makes it unique?

Honestly, I’m still discovering the art scene in Seattle. I’m not from here and I feel like I was just scratching the surface in January of this year before the world shut down and I had a baby. It’s here though. Art is the pulse beneath the pavement in Seattle. You can see it and feel it just by taking a stroll through any neighborhood.

William Dutcher

William Dutcher is a writer and artist based in Seattle, Washington. His work focuses on finding beauty in mundanity and the cyclical nature of life. Dutcher’s poem "W. Sycamore St." is featured in the inaugural issue of Minimal Zine’s 2019 publication, Issue 01. He is currently working towards publishing a collection of poems.

What motivated you to write for "Who Am I"?

Growing up I was not exposed to any Black artists. I thought that the storied mediums of art, such as painting, was not a space for Black people. I never studied a Black poet or writer until college and what I read talked exclusively about slavery. My motivation with this project is to show young Black artists that there are people that look like you, making art that represents your experience.

What did the writing process look like?

Akunna, Devonnie and I…started with broad ideas and concepts as they related to each of the artist's art. We wrote separately developing the poem stanza by stanza and then coming together to decide what represented us the best.

How do you want to shape the world with your art?

I hope that my work inspires someone else to make their own art. Most of my art is self-discovery; I hope that my work inspires others to discover themselves more fully.

What do you want people to know about art and creativity in Seattle? What makes it unique?

What is most unique about Seattle is its people. The tech boom brought an influx of people, for better or worse, to the area, along with the people who are attracted to the Pacific Northwest as it is. This all creates an area with a diverse voice but one that can be disconnected from the truth at times.