ORGANIZER BIOS
Michelle Denise Jackson, Co-Founder | Executive Director
Michelle is a poet, performer, playwright, and educator from Southern California. In May 2011, she received her B.A. from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she created a self-designed concentration focusing on the performing arts, media, cultural studies, creative writing, literature, and social justice. She was a starting member of NYU's 2011 Slam Team, helping them place 3rd in the nation. In March 2012, she released her first chapbook of poems, There Will Be No More Poems About War. She works as a sexuality educator in Los Angeles, helping adolescents make informed, responsible decisions about their sexual health. She may be reached at her blog or by e-mail.
June "Jumakae" Kaewsith, Co-Founder | Outreach Director
Jumakae, as she's widely known, is a Southeast Asian-American artist who weaves cultural differences into a common thread through lyrical storytelling and improvisation, accompanied by the various sounds of acoustic melodies and fresh beats. She has been involved in community organizing both in Long Beach and internationally, working with communities in Cambodia and Thailand. Her other projects include Break the Silence!, a monthly open mic series operating in Long Beach, and One Imagination, an artists' and community action network. Her words may be found here and her music may be found here.
Mae Ramirez, Co-Founder | Programs Director
Mae is a poet, performer, educator, and all-around badass from East Los Angeles. She is currently pursuing her M.F.A. in creative writing from California State University, Long Beach. She was a starting member on the 2010 and 2011 CSULB Slam Team. She facilitates an after-school spoken word program in Carson, CA. Her other projects include ¡VAYA! Zine, a handmade print zine that uses all-recycled materials to showcase the talents and imaginations of local artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. Mae can be found at ¡VAYA!'s blog or by e-mail.
Kasi TeYana, Co-Founder
Kasi is a powerhouse poet, actress, singer, director, and lover of Jesus. She received her B.A. from California State University Long Beach in communications with a minor in theatre. She has shared her soulful-yet-socially-aware poetry at venues all over Southern California. She also serves as co-host of The Definitive Soapbox, a biweekly open mic series in Long Beach. In September 2011, she developed and co-directed Freedom is a Voice, a spoken word theatre hybrid. Kasi is currently transitioning into pursuing her passion for theatre and poetry full-time, by the grace of God. She may be found at her blog or contacted through e-mail for booking.
Patricia "Poetic Stimulator" Poston, Co-Founder
Poetic S - the "S" stands for Superhero within ¡DUENDE! - is a dynamic musician, educator, and community organizer. She works as an educator and program coordinator through an after-school youth development program. Outside of ¡DUENDE!, some of her current projects include: her hand-made jewelry line and being one-half of the female hip-hop duo, Divine Daughters. She also has extensive experience as a theatre artist, radio host, and documentary filmmaker. Poetic S is dedicated to her work as a social justice activist, working closely with Long Beach's Calafia Zulus. For information about Poetic's upcoming hip-hop shows or where she will be selling jewelry, please contact her via Facebook.
Michelle is a poet, performer, playwright, and educator from Southern California. In May 2011, she received her B.A. from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she created a self-designed concentration focusing on the performing arts, media, cultural studies, creative writing, literature, and social justice. She was a starting member of NYU's 2011 Slam Team, helping them place 3rd in the nation. In March 2012, she released her first chapbook of poems, There Will Be No More Poems About War. She works as a sexuality educator in Los Angeles, helping adolescents make informed, responsible decisions about their sexual health. She may be reached at her blog or by e-mail.
June "Jumakae" Kaewsith, Co-Founder | Outreach Director
Jumakae, as she's widely known, is a Southeast Asian-American artist who weaves cultural differences into a common thread through lyrical storytelling and improvisation, accompanied by the various sounds of acoustic melodies and fresh beats. She has been involved in community organizing both in Long Beach and internationally, working with communities in Cambodia and Thailand. Her other projects include Break the Silence!, a monthly open mic series operating in Long Beach, and One Imagination, an artists' and community action network. Her words may be found here and her music may be found here.
Mae Ramirez, Co-Founder | Programs Director
Mae is a poet, performer, educator, and all-around badass from East Los Angeles. She is currently pursuing her M.F.A. in creative writing from California State University, Long Beach. She was a starting member on the 2010 and 2011 CSULB Slam Team. She facilitates an after-school spoken word program in Carson, CA. Her other projects include ¡VAYA! Zine, a handmade print zine that uses all-recycled materials to showcase the talents and imaginations of local artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. Mae can be found at ¡VAYA!'s blog or by e-mail.
Kasi TeYana, Co-Founder
Kasi is a powerhouse poet, actress, singer, director, and lover of Jesus. She received her B.A. from California State University Long Beach in communications with a minor in theatre. She has shared her soulful-yet-socially-aware poetry at venues all over Southern California. She also serves as co-host of The Definitive Soapbox, a biweekly open mic series in Long Beach. In September 2011, she developed and co-directed Freedom is a Voice, a spoken word theatre hybrid. Kasi is currently transitioning into pursuing her passion for theatre and poetry full-time, by the grace of God. She may be found at her blog or contacted through e-mail for booking.
Patricia "Poetic Stimulator" Poston, Co-Founder
Poetic S - the "S" stands for Superhero within ¡DUENDE! - is a dynamic musician, educator, and community organizer. She works as an educator and program coordinator through an after-school youth development program. Outside of ¡DUENDE!, some of her current projects include: her hand-made jewelry line and being one-half of the female hip-hop duo, Divine Daughters. She also has extensive experience as a theatre artist, radio host, and documentary filmmaker. Poetic S is dedicated to her work as a social justice activist, working closely with Long Beach's Calafia Zulus. For information about Poetic's upcoming hip-hop shows or where she will be selling jewelry, please contact her via Facebook.