Understanding the Poetics of Life with poet Ashlee Haze

Welcome to another episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. In this show, I have the pleasure of speaking with the dynamic poet and spoken word artist Ashlee Haze. If you've attended the LEAF Poetry Slam at the LEAF Festival, you might have seen one of Ashlee's powerful performances that have captivated audiences time and again.

Beyond her remarkable talent as a spoken word artist and page poet, Ashlee is deeply rooted in the creative community of her hometown, Atlanta. She shares her art and leads a successful media business known as Philosophy Media Group.

In our conversation, Ashlee and I delve into the profound impact of poetry, discussing how poems have the power to save lives and the importance of memorization in bringing poetry to life. Ashlee's unique philosophy that a poem must live in your body, something she embodies in every piece she performs, is a fascinating aspect of her work. You'll also hear Ashlee read a selection of her work, showcasing the emotion and humor she infuses into her poetry.

Ashlee Haze, born Kiera Nelson, has been a significant force in the Atlanta poetry scene for over a decade. Her work, marked by numerous performances and collaborations, has brought poetry to unexpected places, including New York Fashion Week and Atlanta United Soccer.

She's collaborated with major brands like H&M and appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk series. Her poem "For Colored Girls Who Don't Need Katy Perry when Missy Elliott is Enough" went viral, earning praise from Missy Elliott herself. Ashlee is also the host of Moderne Philosophy, an educational podcast for creatives.

Ashlee founded Philosophy Media Group to elevate Southern voices, particularly creatives of color, in media production. Her company specializes in storytelling across podcasts, interviews, and documentaries, with Ashlee leading as the primary voice talent, copywriter, and producer. Ashlee's journey began at age ten, and by fifteen, she was performing regularly at public competitions. She's competed in National Poetry Slams and now, as a full-time artist, continues to tell the stories that often go unheard.

Join me as we explore the life, work, and wisdom of Ashlee Haze in this episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. Enjoy the show.