I am familiar with Oregon's varied geography, culture, economics, politics, and social justice issues. I have lived in Oregon since 1974. I have traveled to many parts of our state during my professional life, especially as a poet. I have traveled in the capacities of a Human Resources professional for Portland General Electric, Vice-President for the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, Assistant County Administrator for Clackamas County, pastor, and poet.
In each of these capacities, I have interacted with diverse populations encumbering a broad spectrum of age, gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, business, and politics.
A special time in my life was being raised as a military dependent. My father was in the U.S. military, serving with and leading men into battle during the Korean and Vietnam wars. My father did not tolerate racism and didn't raise me to have an animus against anyone; an upbringing I treasure to this day.
As an adolescent, I enjoyed the cultural and enriching experience of living on Okinawa, Japan. This was a great experience given the emerging diversification of the U.S. military and exposure to different ethnicities. This life experience has shaped my being a welcoming and inclusive person who holds as personal values equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
As a retired executive and professional, I have developed, coordinated, and presented countless professional trainings, seminars, workshops, mentorship programs, and professional coaching. I have led at the highest level of executive leadership. I am a professional conference keynote speaker and have been invited to many places in Oregon to read and or perform poetry.
As a Black American poet, I have been warmly received everywhere I've been invited. Some places are Pendleton, Dufur, Salem, Eugene, Silverton, Milwaukie, Gladstone, Gresham, Beaverton, Oregon City, Lincoln City, and numerous venues in Portland, Oregon.
The following life experiences and activities have well-prepared me for an opportunity to serve as Oregon Poet Laureate.
* I continue to be a keynote speaker and presenter at large and small conferences, seminars, and workshops throughout Oregon.
* Being a faith leader, I have interacted with different faith-based groups as a speaker, teacher, and ecumenical leader.
* While employed at Clackamas County, I was the primary interface between the County and its 1,800 diverse employee population and the citizens living in the county.
https://emmettwheatfall-poet.blogspot.com/
How might you make poetry accessible to groups at all levels of experience? How would you spark people's interest and encourage dialogue? Please give a couple of examples of prompts, activities, topics, or writings you might use to make this happen.
I would make poetry accessible in the following ways. Some of these action items can be accomplished by a proactive Oregon Poet Laureate. I have directly and indirectly created and participated in and continue to pursue some of these activities.
1. Formation of poetry troupes.
2. Bring kids in communities together for poetry readings, seminars, and workshops.
3. Networking and referrals to poetry reading series.
4. Hosting in-person and virtual readings.
5. Poetry contests.
6. Slam poetry (work to promote the Portland Slam Poetry organization).
7. Connecting with academics at universities, colleges, and K-12.
8. Meeting with community leaders about poetry opportunities.
The following represent ways I believe people's interests can be sparked and encourage dialogue.
*Issuing invitations (formal and informal)
* Constant proactive networking throughout Oregon
* Using virtual communications and online presentations (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
* Incorporating music performance with poetry
* Incorporating theater with poetry
* Recognition and celebration of diverse poets
* Black History Month
* Juneteenth
* National Women's History Month
* Hispanic Heritage Month
* PRIDE Month - June
* Independence Day - July 4th
* Veteran's Day
* Memorial Day
* Religious Holidays
Here are some examples of prompts, activities, topics, and writings.
- Outside open-mic public readings (prompts)
- Summits and gatherings of leaders of reading series (activities)
- Poetic celebrations of national holidays, cultural, religious, indigenous, and social heritage (topics)
- Call upon poets to write poems for special occasions and recognitions (writings)
https://emmettwheatfall-poet.blogspot.com/
How have you been recognized as a poet locally, regionally, or nationally?
* 9-Part Series about poet Emmett Wheatfall funded by The Library of America and the National Endowment for the Humanities in partnership with Corban University
* 2019 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist in two categories (Book and the da Vinci Eye Award)
* Keynote speaker at two Oregon Poetry Association Conferences
* 2020 – Season 10 and 2021 – Season 11 ARTSTRA Poetry Moves selectee
* Featured poet at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington (Portland Event)
* First poet ever to headline the Northwest’s premier jazz club Jimmy Mak’s
https://emmettwheatfall-poet.blogspot.com/
If you are the next Poet Laureate, what is a cultural project that you would like to focus on? This project idea will help the selection committee get a sense of how you would leverage your public involvement and poetry experience during a two-year term. Please give a brief summary of the goals of your proposed cultural project, the events and activities the project might include, and any potential resource needs or groups/organizations you might partner with. Please consider current and possible COVID restrictions for in-person events as you share about this work and how you'll be able to adapt to them as needed.
Please see my proposed Cultural Project accompanying this application.
Here is a brief description and summary of its goals.
A person is hard-pressed to find Oregon poets with sufficient knowledge about the contribution of Black American poets to America's history. The Oregon poetry community would greatly benefit from this knowledge. The diverse nature of Black American poetry speaks to the history of America, its triumphs and failures, its lovely and unlovely legacies. The history of American poetry would not be complete without the poetic narratives of Black American poets. This poetry allows poets and lovers of poetry to see the world through a different set of lenses. Beyond music, nothing touches the human soul as intimately as poetry. Black American poetry is soulful, often born out of the struggle to find its place and relevance in American society. There are voices to be heard and words to be read. Oregon will cast its eyes and lend Black American poets their ears for there is another poetic voice yearning to be heard.
https://emmettwheatfall-poet.blogspot.com/
If your work has been published, please list the name/s of the publisher/s, and/or publications.
BOOKS:
1. Wheatfall, Emmett, With Extreme Prejudice Lest We Forget, Fernwood Press. 2021
2. Brown, Richard (Author), Wheatfall, Emmett (Narrator). This Is Not For You: And Activist's Journey of Resistance and Resilience, Audiobook. 2021
3. Wheatfall, Emmett, Our Scarlet Blue Wounds, Fernwood Press. 2019
4. Wheatfall, Emmett, As Clean as a Bone. Fernwood Press. 2017
5. Wheatfall, Emmett, Fragments: A Book of Poetry, Reflections Publishing. 2015
6. Wheatfall, Emmett, Bread Widow, Reflections Publishing. 2013
7. Wheatfall, Emmett, The Meaning of Me, Reflections Publishing. 2012
8. Wheatfall, Emmett, We Think We Know, Reflections Publishing. 2011
9. Wheatfall, Emmett, He Sees Things. Reflections Publishing. 2010
Lyrical Poetry CDs (Music Singles)
1. Wheatfall, Emmett, What A Friend We Have in Jesus, Emmett Wheatfall LLC, 2022
2. Wheatfall, Emmett, Amazing Grace (featuring LaRhonda Steele), Emmett Wheatfall LLC, 2020
3. Wheatfall, Emmett, Somebody Told Me, Emmett Wheatfall LLC, 2020
W Wheatfall, Emmett, Water Under Bridges (cover), Emmett Wheatfall LLC, 2024
Lyrical Poetry CDs (Music Albums)
1. Wheatfall, Emmett, Welcome Home, Self-Produced. 2017
2. Wheatfall, Emmett, Them Poetry Blues, Peterson Entertainment. 2013
3. Wheatfall, Emmett, I Loved You Once, Peterson Entertainment. 2011
4. Wheatfall, Emmett, When I Was Young, Peterson Entertainment. 2010
Non-Lyrical Poetry CD (Without Music)
1. Wheatfall, Emmett, I Speak, Peterson Entertainment. 2010
Please attach 8–10 of your poems in one document, with no more than 20 pages total
https://emmettwheatfall-poet.blogspot.com/ Upload a different file
Please upload your resume or curriculum vitae
https://emmettwheatfall-poet.blogspot.com/ |
If you'd like to share your work through a different medium (video, audio, mixed media, etc.), please add links to your work here.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment