We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandy “Lade Breez” Elam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandy “Lade Breez”, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business “Express Me Poetry” was, “what will make my events different than the ones that are already being frequented? How can I maintain a consistency of quality without breaking the pockets of my patrons? and How can I create an atmosphere that is affordable, grown and classy, and safe. How can I help Indie Artists like myself get more exposure? In my opinion, Hosting events has a lot of moving parts that all have to be handled directly and in order.  Properly planned. Once I started moving within the entertainment realm, i perfected my platform by trying.  My First event has 5 customers; in that moment I had a choice to quit, or to keep going.. The show still went on, and So did Express Me Poetry events.. Today 10 years later, they sell out. Persistence, consistency. Quality.  Shortly after gaining momentum, I decided I should start branching out into my other gifts that pushed what the main mission is.  I dabbled in artist development, and helping critique stage performances for a few years but my calling; Helping children and pushing them in their purpose has always been a personal mission. Express Me Poetry Birthed, my nonprofit, “Educated Blessyns” in remembrance of late son, Blessyn NiSan Elam .  We offer free tutoring, and mentorships  amongst a few other things for youths. Considering all of it is free of charge to the youths, I use my book sells to fund the programs.  Copies of my first two publications, “Journeys of a Long Walk”, and “Point Me To Poetry” can be found on the website, as well as a synopsis of Educated Blessyns.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
By profession I am an Award Winning Spoken Word Artist, Published Author, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, Humanitarian, Podcaster and Event Host. What sets me apart from other creatives would be my personality; I have the ability to step outside of my own mental four walls to see everyone’s perspective and utilize it for ultimate understanding amongst the masses and not just my own personal understanding. I’m most proud of being a published author because of the struggles and obstacles I had faced in this challenging market. It was not easy in any form. I overcame the stressors by using everything that came to destroy my goals as lessons; Regardless of how many times I failed, I didn’t quit or give up. The main lesson that I learned was, do not expect the obvious people ( loved ones, family and friends) to support you, but to Make new memories and supporters by believing in my own goals and missions with only expecting my best from myself. You have to be the change you want to see in this world. I want the world to know that, regardless of the negatives stacked against you, if you fail or if you succeed, its your fault. Move as such, but at the bare minimum, WORK ON YOUR DREAMS on purpose!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, it just depends on the mood. My favorite spots to hang out if we have to leave the house are usually a cigar bar or a poetry event. Other than that, anything travel. If my friends are coming to visit, we are headed out of state or out of the country for new adventures. We would eat and or try anything that is not apart of the culture where we stay. The most fun I have is in my back yard surrounded by my loved ones or traveling to experience something new. My number one suggestion to anyone is Aruba!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shout out My Wife Ajeenah and My Children, Kaiden, Deuce, Blake and Kyla. Thank you all for your continued support, and your continued push to do and be better than the day before. You guys are my blessing. To my PeepSquad at Peep The Perspectives you guys are so dope, thank you for your inspiration! Lastly, to every heart and mind who’s ever been to an event, who’s donated snacks to my programs, who’s trusted their children with me, and who’s supported any and everything I do, I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart! I’m thankful I’ve never meet a stranger at any event. It is my fuel to keep going!

Website: expressmepoetry.com/good-reads

Instagram: Lade_Breez/ PeepThePerspectives/ Elam_Chronicles

Twitter: @PeepThePerspect/ @ExpressMePoetry

Facebook: Brandy “Lade Breez” Elam

Youtube: expressMePoetry

Image Credits
Kima Sheppard, CJ Joyner,

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