We’re looking forward to introducing you to Black Ceasar Poetry. Check out our conversation below.
Black , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me, losing track of time usually happens when I’m juggling too many things at once. I have a tendency to pour myself into multiple directions, and before I know it, the hours disappear. I’ve learned that I feel most grounded and I “find myself” again when I focus on seeing a project through to completion. My goal is always to create something phenomenal, not perfect, but meaningful. Consistency is the anchor. When I commit to finishing what I start, everything clicks into place. That’s when I can finally take a breath and feel fully present again.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kristoddie Woods, though most people know me by my artistic name, Black Ceasar Poetry. I’m a Mississippi native who has proudly made Dallas, Texas my creative home. I wear many hats poet, author, teacher, filmmaker, activist, and now actor and each role reflects a different piece of the story I’m telling through my work. Over the last two years, I’ve expanded into acting and have been featured in five nationally televised commercials, a journey that has pushed me creatively and opened new doors for how I express my voice.
My artistic path has been blessed with some incredible milestones from Emmy Award–winning performances with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers to receiving special recognition from Mayor Eric Johnson for my contributions to the arts and the community. I was also a finalist for the Poet Laureate position for the City of Dallas, which was deeply meaningful to me. Representing my city, especially a city as culturally rich and diverse as Dallas, is something I don’t take lightly. It fuels the responsibility I feel to use my platform to uplift others. Whether I’m working with youth at Paul Quinn College’s gifted and talented programs or building new artistic projects, I’m always focused on helping people find the courage to tell their stories.
What makes my brand unique is the fusion of artistry and purpose. My work isn’t just about performance it’s about impact. I believe storytelling can shift culture, spark dialogue, and empower communities, and that belief is at the heart of everything I create. Right now, I’m continuing to expand my acting career, craft new poetry, and develop projects that bridge art, education, and activism. My journey is about legacy! One built on creativity, representation, and inspiring people to realize the power within their own voice.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was 18 years old when the world witnessed the killing of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Seeing someone who looked like me young, black, full of possibility lose his life so publicly and so violently changed something in me. Up until then, I had dreams of joining the military and possibly becoming a police officer after college. But that moment forced me to confront how the world often perceives young Black men, and it made me question systems I once thought I’d be a part of.
That moment didn’t just shift my worldview it shaped my poetic voice. It made me want to tell the stories of those who no longer could, to be an echo for my ancestors, and to speak for the people who should still be here speaking for theirs. That experience is a big reason why my poetry carries the weight, responsibility, and purpose that it does today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self one thing, I’d tell him to slow down and really trust the process. Both the process of creativity and the process of building community. I’d remind him that not everything is meant to last forever, but the things and people that truly matter will always find their place in his life. Above all, I’d tell him that consistency will take him further than perfection ever could. Give yourself grace, stay steady, and let the journey shape you.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes… and no. I believe we all carry a duality within us, especially as entertainers or influencers. There’s an energy we share with the world an energy that draws people in but there’s also something deeper that fuels that light.
For me, my fuel is the desire to create poetry and uplift the people who receive my work. That’s the part of me the public sees. But I also have a more spiritual, grounded side that comes alive when I step away from the spotlight and recharge in my own space. Both are real; both are me.
I don’t think anyone can or should be one way all the time. Life would feel too mundane, too limiting. We all deserve to keep something for ourselves, whether that’s our identity, our love, our hobbies, or simply our quiet moments. Everyone deserves a space that belongs just to them.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I’m on stage. That’s the place where I have the most control, when I’ve prepared for a special moment, poured my heart into a poem and invested thousands of hours. On stage, I know I can create, capture, or command whatever energy I choose. It’s a space that belongs to me.
There’s always that calm-before-the-storm moment when the nerves hit. But as soon as I hear my name and whisper my little prayer, everything settles. That’s when I know it’s go time just me, God, and the microphone. That’s my peace.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @blackceasar_
- Linkedin: Black Ceasar Poetry
Image Credits
Photo credit goes to “phnxvisuals” and “shay.fotos”
