Meet Alana Brown | Poet and Artist

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

Hi Alana, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
I’ve had to sit on this question for a bit because as an artist and creative, we often hid ourselves or lock ourselves into our craft but the most important decision I made that has contributed to my success was stepping out on faith. My craft is so sacred to me so sharing my creative pieces with the world is showing vulnerable sides of me that no one really get to experience. However, being vulnerable with the people who support me has ultimately made me successful. Sharing those experiences and loving on those who love me is what I cherish most for my craft.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is so valuable to me. I am most proud of how I share my truth even if it’s ugly, with the world. It take a lot for me to share what I’ve gone through. I am proud of curating a poetry book that tells stories of trauma, abuse, self love and healing. It wasn’t easy creating this book but I knew my journey could help those who have shared experiences like me. I’ve learned to let go and let God. God plays a huge role in my decisions and in my life and putting out this book, I just said you know what, let’s step out on faith and so I did it. It’s become a piece of me that I’ll always cherish, I’ll always reflect back and think, I did this project scared, vulnerable, worried but I also did it to help others, help the world connect with me on a deeper level. I want the world to know that this is 100% me in my truth. I’m sharing lived experiences that I hope can heal others.

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?
I would definitely take them to a poetry night or a poetry open mic if there is one hosted the weekend. I love poetry and I love hearing other poets, that’s how I get inspired to create and hopefully it can inspire them to tap into their creative side. We’d eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Jardin, the best birria tacos in the Tri-State area. We’d probably go shopping since I love to shop until I drop so Woodbury Commons it is! We’d let the vibes tell us what to enjoy. Just to be present and enjoy life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my girlfriend, Imani, for motivating me and always taking the time to listen to my creative thoughts, allowing me to be vulnerable and for seeing the best in me. Without her, I don’t know where I’ll be. I also want to give a shoutout to my friends and family, my tribe, ya’ll know who you are, for always allowing me the space to be me and to listen to the stories that I share and tell. To Kierra Lashae, for connecting with me on a poet to poet and artist to artist level, I appreciate you for encouraging me and working with me! You are a talented human being! I love each and every one of ya’ll from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be me with you and forever being in my corner through it all.

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