We talk with Spoken-Word Poet, Rashan Brown, or you may know him by his stage name, Rush (The Mic). Rashan is the brilliant mind behind "Poetry Me, Please" – a vibrant community platform and event series that serves as a global stage for poets to let their creativity flow through the power of words. With showcases in NYC drawing in a whopping 500 people on an average night. Rashan has created something really extraordinary not only for the artists but also for audience members.

Rashan has been featured in PIX11, NBC, Ebony, REVOLT & The Grio. Rashan's voice and brand have partnered with LLoyd Banks, Harlem's Fashion Row, NY Independent Schools, Accenture, Columbia Business School, Republic Records, Rupi Kaur, TIER, AfroFuture, City Winery, The Cutting Room & SOBs.

Connect with Rashan and Poetry, Me Please on their website, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Don’t forget to book your tickets for the November Showcase at The Apollo on Saturday, November 25th

• Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.
• More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
• More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

• Poetry Me is a digital and physical platform for Poets all over the world.
• Rashan started writing poetry during High School Heartbreak
• After being a teacher for several years, Rashan found himself back in the spoken word world for a friend's Showcase.
• He was drawn to recreating this wonderful feeling but not charging the artists for performing.
• Poetry is a style of a collective of words you’re putting together - in a “poetic style.”
• Spoken Word is the passion that you put behind the poetic style. It’s tone, volume, body involvement.
• The intentional risk was in marketing himself and Poetry Me, Please.
• Rush (The Mic) is a performer who does all sorts of spoken word with corporations as well as showcases.
• Community is for poets in general but specific for Black and Brown poets.
• The crowd has a deep experience by hearing these spoken-word poets share their experiences on stage.
• Rashan is always focused on pouring back into the community.
• Poetry Me, Please is fully funded through ticket sales.