We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Hardy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexis, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by life in general. From the day-to-day hustle and bustle or a calm evening of reading a book in a coffee shop. Traveling and getting out of my comfort zone creates a space of new experiences that allow my imagination to flow. I also enjoy watching interviews, documentaries, and amazing drama series that inspire me, but also challenge me. I honestly can find inspiration from anything or anywhere.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The summer before I started high school, I signed up for theater arts and that was best decision ever. By sophomore year after writing my own script and watching my classmates perform my work lit a fire inside of me. The fact that you can put words on paper and create a masterpiece. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed. I also realized what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. By my senior year I directed my own play.I learned so much by that experience and I knew for a fact working in film and television was what I wanted to do. I got accepted to SCAD which is an arts school and I was going to attend to the one in Atlanta. Due to financial reasons, I was not able to go forward. I was so sad and depressed for some time because I knew that was the way to go to start my dreams, but everything happens for a reason. Fast forward I started going to school locally and I started to do my research about art events in my city. I started to attend open mics and that is what inspired me to do poetry and that became an outlet for me. That was early 2019 and by the end of that year I was on the phone with my brother-in-law. I was expressing to him that I needed to perform more so I would be more comfortable on stage. He suggested that I should do a book and the rest is history. By August of 2020 my first book, “Backstory Soul Searching” was published which is a spoken-word compilation of poems about childhood trauma, womanhood, passion, and growth. It dives into my perspective as a young woman coming into her own. While learning how to navigate the rigors and confusion of life. I want my story to show people that they’re not alone and that it is okay to vulnerable. I also want others to know that you do not have to wait for an opportunity, go ahead and create your own.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The downtown area of Fayetteville, NC is the first stop I would take my friend to visit. Paint and sip, wine tasting, candle making, open mics and poetry shows are always happening. Theres an assortment of restaurants, coffee shops, and there are also places like, “The Sweet Palette” for your sweet tooth needs after a great lunch. There is always festivals and concerts that go on downtown as well. We also have amazing walking trails such as the Cape Fear River Trail and at Mazarick Park. During the week we would definitely have to stop by one of my favorite restaurants in Fayetteville which is “Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar”. The service is amazing and the food is always good! Near the end of the week we would go out of town to some needed retail therapy. Go to the amusement park in Charlotte. Wilmington is where the beach is at so making that stop would be on the list as well. My friend trip experience will be a mixture of peaceful and fun times!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First I would like to thank God because without him, none of this is possible. I want to give a shoutout to Blue Shades Publishing founded by Jaret Conway and Gerrod Thomas. My first book is published by this amazing company and they helped me establish myself as an author. Carly Judd is the artist of my book cover and with her attentiveness to detail and exquisite taste. A true work of art was created! I also would like to thank Mrs. Ebony Walker for nominating me, thank you for always noticing me. Last, but certainly not least I want to thank my close family and friends for their support and love.

Website: Linktree.com/Lexisnade

Instagram: Instagram.com/bylexis

Twitter: Twitter.com/bylexis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfR85F1naTxkxtJwMDnytUw

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