Meet Symone Brielle

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

Hi Symone Brielle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The world needs to hear the truth. I felt like minimizing criticism of the world’s isms made us all a bit too complicit. After the murder of George Floyd performative gestures from corporate America left hope in us. That hope has faded and the call-outs have been aimed across the pond. We need to investigate the wrongdoing right here in the states. We need to expose the hurt being caused by our own government. I am here to speak the truth to power and move our people forward. I cannot be censored.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is unique in that you can read my book and see my progression. My book is comprised of 2 parts. One highlights the writer I was when I first began to take my work seriously. The writer who called out injustices, exposing them in a fearless and direct way. Then I learned that words are powerful tools to build the world I want to see. The writer I became is much more pleasant and hopeful for a beautiful tomorrow. The in between is setting ground rules for a utopian society for melanated marvels. Here, we are free to roam about the world in peace and nature, free from tyranny and control. Here, we are able to connect to ourselves in a radical way. This land is where love is what uplifts, saves and sustains us.
In a way, this book is about how I elevated as a writer. How I progressed to include a black voice that could imagine rather than complain. How I could lead rather than follow. How I could take power back and walk away from a system that was built on top of me. First you have to see the wrong, make others see the wrong, tell the wrong it’s wrong, build a strategy to fix/heal the wrong, plan an ultimatum for the wrong, and then leave to create the right. Create other, like the opposite of what we’ve been conditioned to believe and operate in.
This book shows the progression of a people who overcame everything that was meant to destroy them. It inspires a call to action for the wrong and the right. It informs the struggles we face while telling off the struggle makers. It gives solutions to some of those struggles while imagining that no such struggles exist. It guides a conversation between the right and the wrong that leaves both sides
with something to chew on. I’ve learned that you don’t always get what you want by sitting on the sidelines, you have to get active and do something about it. Words alone could never be enough, you have to spread the word and live the word. I’m not ashamed of where I came from. My writing is an experience and I want my audience to grow with me. See me for where I was journey with my through art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start on the south side on a Wednesday with Wind Down Wednesdays in East Point’s downtown Commons Park for music, food, and community fun in the sun. Afterwards we’d go to Who Wanna Pho, a Vietnamese restaurant that has a free open mic every Wednesday night called Pho the Soul. Thursday we’d go to brunch at The Toast on Lenox, window shopping at Lenox mall, and to an open mic at Urban Grind Coffeehouse. Friday we’d catch a movie, lunch and ice cream in Atlantic Station. We’d do some light window shopping before heading to the High Museum for an art exhibit with a party to follow. Saturday we’d go to brunch at Breakfast Boys on Main Street. Then go to Piedmont Park for a picnic. Then go to the Drawbar for a rooftop experience. Sunday we would Netflix and chill, have an at home spa day and lounge to recoup. Monday would be brunch at Milk and Honey in Decatur. Then we’d head to downtown Decatur for tapas and ice cream and dominoes in the park. Tuesday we’d eat Gut Busters for breakfast, American Deli for lunch, and go to Trap City Cafe for their weekly open mic. Wednesday is for Waffle House before heading to the airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tish Jones and the TruArtSpeaks Family. Queeny Fillmore and the Floetry Poetry Vibes Family helped me become the performer/writer I am. The Youth Advisory Board developed me in praxis of hip hop. I learned that poetry was always a part of the culture. I grew confidence in my performance, hosting, and writing styles. Floetry Poetry Vibes allowed me to imagine myself beyond the boarders of my hometown.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monie.poetic?igsh=bTRlcjZxazdxOWRo&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/symone-johnson-hawkins-86348a113?trk=contact-info

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Monie_theMogul

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000997294316

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@monie.poetic?si=gFzhJFtZ2bP0Mw2D

Image Credits
Antoinne Duane Jones
Malika Whitley