Today we’d like to introduce you to Inspyr Faith.
Hi inspyr, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I had a sharp tongue on me. I was never a bad kid, but most of the trouble I got in, came from something I said. My grandmother would always tell me how I could talk myself into and out of anything while warning me of my talents. I come from an artistic family and grew up shuffling through extra curricular, but it wasn’t until junior high that I began to call myself a writer.
I wrote my first creative work (a poem) for a Black history month program in junior high and I don’t know if it’s because kid writers are in short supply or what but I was instantly affirmed and encouraged in my vocation. From there, I competed in slam poetry throughout my high school career and went on to publish creative and academic works in college while getting my BA in Rhetorical Intensive English.
Today, I compete and perform locally, here, in Dallas and routinely publish cultural essays and flash fiction. I take a lot of pride in (what I call) “saying the hard things”, centering my work around contrast and imagery to analyze the human experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m not even sure if there was a road. I see my journey as me, with a walking stick, hacking through uncharted territory, creating my own path.
With that being said, balance has been a reoccurring theme in my journey. As a creative, it’s extremely easy to fall into the slippery slope of commodifying yourself. In my one woman show, I’ve had to be extremely vigilant about “bleeding in shark infested waters.” I’ve had unfortunate experiences navigating others’ reactions to my work and doing the proactive work of protecting my peace, allows me to work with such extreme themes, connect with others, and maintain my own personhood.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Most people know me for either saying something crazy on the microphone or saying some crazier on TikTok. My work is characterized by intensity, satire and vivid imagery. Most of my audience is formed indirectly through recreational social media usage and local interactions, engaging others with my humor and think pieces. The contrast between me as a person and my work as a writer sets me apart from other artists who work to unify their identity under one “brand.”
Professionally, I’m a writer. I do internal communication for a law firm by day and my own work by night. I started and specialize in poetry and spoken word but enjoy all forms of writing. From research to editorials to fiction to lyrical, I love words. Full stop. I recently published the second edition of my first collection of poetry: “If They Find a Lake on Mars” and have begun new long form series on both my website and Substack.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy continuing my creativity in the kitchen, on the soundboard, and in the dance studio. My commitment to education and proximity to pop culture make my work and ideas accessible to atypical and casual readers.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
It’s hard to name names because I love the bartender at my local bar the way I love some of my own family. Which is more to say: I consider myself the people’s princess. I started writing because someone believed in me and as long as I still have people believing in me, my pen will never run out of ink.
However, I’ve always told myself that my first public thanks after my first career accomplishment will go to my two younger siblings, who have always made me feel like a celebrity, and my eleventh grade English teacher, who was the first person to call my writing bad and challenge me to be better than good.
I could give you a laundry list of names with very specific reasons to each but my siblings and the educators who bet on me along the way, are two constant, driving forces in my vocation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inspyrfaith.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspyrfaith
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspyrfaith
Image Credits
Tyler Smith, Open Mic Photographer @fluidfridaysopenmic
