Meet Miesha Brundridge

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miesha Brundridge . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miesha below.

Miesha , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Literary Art – How it started

I found purpose in writing poetry and journals because it was the only thing I could scream out loud in–through my frustrating childhood with a mother who suffered from mental health issues and drug abuse whilst being raised by a strong community, grandmother Maggie, and her 2 sisters Doris & Carrie and an uncle, Horace. Even then, I couldn’t discuss the stuff that went on inside my grandma’s house as that would be a betrayal to her, and not at church or school-

-only between my pen and page and my beloved identical sister, Keesha Brundridge. I went through my identity issues, having to pry through the lies my mother told me about my father being dead when he was alive and well living down the street just a few blocks up from our Lakeland house. My father was a barber at the time and I was in the 3rd grade when I heard (eavesdropping) my visiting aunt Carrie from St. Pete tell my mom that she had seen my dad at the store, long story short–I started investigating and it seems like all this happen around the 3rd grade and Father’s Day. I remember being in the 3rd grade a teacher of mine was having her class create Father’s Day cards, when I embarrassed myself and said I didn’t have one. I went home that day and begged her for the truth, and at that point, she could not lie–she was sober then and was easy to get along with–understand–so she took Keesha and me.

But, ever since then –Dad and his twins have had an awesome relationship and have been a great father ( more details in previous articles). Out of all the observations, lives I’ve witnessed and my own mistakes, pains, and growth–even as a middle school student–I learned that as I shared my poems, other people related, and in some way, it became a safe place–poetry–and those would bond with me in the future – through my literary works became like members in my group therapy (Lol), thank you–You gave me purpose. I did not know that there were a lot of people who had mothers like mine or were told their parents were dead but weren’t by another parent out of spite for each other. I had so many things in my life that could relate to just about anyone, so my purpose was to turn that pain into literary greatness and tell the stories we need to, to live, I was tired of suffocating.

After, I wrote the poetry book, A Beautiful Disaster Poetry Memoir,” I did a book release at the Studio 620; however, this was not just any book release party! I curated my poetry to come alive by altering the studio space to go with the themes of certain poems in the book. There were keepsakes people left with that reflected the book’s cover (skeleton keys), and lantern lights glided my guests to their seats. Even the stage was curated by myself to fit the scene. I wanted my guests to feel the space, that way they could appreciate the poetry I wrote. It gave them and me a sense of empathy together.

Bob Devine Jones—came into my life and suggested I was more than a poet but a producer/curator. Since 2018, I have successfully put on great poetry showcases for the literary community at Studio 620. Bob has named me one of St. Petersburg Florida’s “City of Poets,” in The Artisan Magazine 2023 Vol. 1 Issue Vlll.

I have been busy making and using Poetry in my community to either bring awareness to issues that affect our community and world as a hold or to start conversations about mental health, fears, abuse, and even anxiety.

I have been curating poetry shows since 2019 at Studio 620 which Bob Jones has given me the freedom to use the space to do that. Over the years, I have held 3-4 showcases a year and I have had great turnouts and even articles written about the shows I produce (links below).

I would not have the venue if it were not for places like Studio 620 located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. Florida, giving people
a Real Opportunity to showcase their talent by giving the, “Always Yes” to Artists/Creatives. With this in mind, I have always paid out of my pocket to fund poets, musicians, and the décor for each show, like the one I did, “Smoke & Mirrors,” I had mirrors spray painted and wording done to reflect the connotations of what smoke and mirrors meant.

What makes me different, in my shows is that I bring in all the stops when it comes to poetry shows–I make poetry showcases not open mics but a structured themed based show always filled with music, lighting, accents, gifts, live art (sometimes) décor-that reflects the theme of the show so that audience members feel like they emerge in the show.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Poetry showcases and community outreach and activities that help educate and motivate my black neighborhoods. I am focusing on being an English Writing teacher as I am in the process of testing and jumping through hopes of the standardized test money scam teacher exams bring.

I am starting up my own nonprofit/LLC called House of Poetry, with my twin sister in we will continue doing what I’ve been doing in the business of poetry as far as curating book shows/book releases, poetry poetic showcases theme shows, my own book readings, art, panels, event planning, pop up shows and libations.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve discovered that my true strength lies in my ability to artfully express my emotions, experiences, and observations. Through the lens of literary techniques, I craft messages that resonate deeply, often exploring themes that others might shy away from. I have a unique talent for transforming pain, excitement, happiness, and confusion into stories and poems that inspire growth and understanding.

Poetry has become my sanctuary, a healing force for both myself and others. The release of my first poetry collection, “Embers & Scars,” was a pivotal moment. Its impact was profound, particularly among teens and young and older adults who found solace and connection in my words. Many have shared that my portrayal of pain as a canvas has been a source of comfort and inspiration.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, it is usually because I have procrastinated to the end–of a deadline or I have to be somewhere or read something and haven’t found the right piece/poem yet (sometimes that is okay, because most of us performing artists) need to feel the room before we sing or recite.

However, when I feel overwhelmed, I try and get organized, first I breathe and see what I can control and what I can not; then, I start setting smaller tasks that I can do first to make room for the larger tasks like creating an essay or editing a manuscript, event curating, etc., I do all these in small tasks-(creating a flyer, emails, bios, lesson plan) breaking them up in groups/sections by the day and end of the week in goals. Also, I set timers now so that I don’t overspend time (read that somewhere on Medium. com–which is a platform I also write on under my actual name lol). I always keep a planner everywhere! I keep a mini calendar because people are always stopping me to ask if I can help with something, and I don’t want to overbook myself or my sister–we do have our individual twinny lives.

I breathe a lot, I am honest with my friends, and my community, and I talk to a therapist regularly–because it is good to check in because as an artist, we absorb a lot, and sometimes too much, that we need to know when to unload that negative stuff. I see artists as plants-more so, succulents, Sometimes too much water (observation and other people’s energies) are too much. We have to be clear to create–be able to accurately access what we felt, witnessed, or predicted in our sights for the artistic expression of writing/art/music to be conducted- curated, structured, it’s a process for me, us writers. For me, writing is a tool-crafted skill but also as a poet/writer it can be stressful because words do haunt you, and I want whatever I write to be somewhat true honest, and relatable. It does haunt me whenever I publish. After all, it is a piece of me that I am willing to allow to be judged because it is my mindset at that moment-year or time. Another strategy, I use to get out of writer’s block or from being overwhelmed is that I also love boating with my partner, camping, writing in a journal, bonfires, cool bars, and lounges to decompress from life. Anything water-related. I love cooking with my family and friends. I do a lot of dinner parties.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Sitemap

Categories