SPOKEN WORD ARTIST, WRITER, ACTOR, ACTIVIST
Meet the poet whose heart pulsates with his passion for the art form that saved his life. Fans proclaim his energy is contagious, his message overdue. The spoken word performer known as Yolan A Poet’s Poet was born in San Diego, California to working-class parents with their own penchant for writing and dramatic interpretation. Yolan, a former gang member, has seen the worst and best life has to offer both inspire him. After he was nearly felled by a massive heart attack and is now on the heart transplant list Yolan sought greater purpose. Poetry became his release. These days, he taps into an inherent ability to match words to feelings, verse to reason, meters to moments, and linguistic patterns to deeper meaning. Where many succumb to illness, Yolan perseveres and channels the rhythm of the man made chambers implanted inside him to spread messages of power and pride through every mic he touches.
A history enthusiast, Yolan identifies generational guideposts to pen poems that resonate and inform. From the scourge of the crack epidemic to the viciousness of Southern California gang violence to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and the continuing plague of racial injustice, his performances thunder with truth, intelligence, and practical reason. He cunningly adds hints of hip-hop culture and politics into his work to enhance his broad appeal. Yolan brings reliability to the stage by infusing heartwarming personal experiences into most of his work. If you listen close enough, you are acutely aware of the influence Gil Scott-Heron, Dr. Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, Edgar Alan Poe, Langston Hughes and others have on the artist. The result? Audiences flock to see the award-winning poet perform at the Houston Improv, Houston’s House of Blues, NRG Stadium, and top venues across the nation.
Yolan is a published author of the brilliantly written book "The Unknown Child Named Yolan", community activist, actor, and motivational speaker who credits his family and God for bringing him this far. Through his affiliation with philanthropic groups including Sol-Caritas and Project Push Forward, he makes altruism a cornerstone of his daily life.
Yolan, who now has several movies, stage plays, and music videos he has done over the years believes everyone must pay acts of kindness and mercy forward, is determined to shine a light on unknowns who possess the gift of spoken word. The promise and success of others empowers him a characteristic this fearless poet’s poet knows will amplify his narrative for generations to come.
To book Yolan A Poet’s Poet for a show or speaking engagement and obtain an autographed copy of his book please email apoetspoet@gmail.com or call 832-247-4765.
