This is the core. The writers, organizers, and visionaries behind every mic check, flyer, show, and Sharp Start. These are the folks who’ve helped shape Sharp Pens from the jump, the inner circle you’ll see leading by example, holding down the community, and staying sharp behind the scenes and on the stage.
Detroit, MI
Founder of Sharp Pens, True Avery is a poet who lives what he writes. He pours everything he has into his pen, his performance, and his community. For True, the stage is not just about spotlight — it’s about saying the uncomfortable things in spaces where people feel most at ease, reminding us all that growth lives just outside comfort. More than an organizer, he’s an open mic poet at heart, moving from stage to stage to connect with new communities, rooting for every voice that touches the mic. A two-time Motown Mic finalist and winner of the 2024 Joel Florent Green Abundance Slam, True continues to sharpen his craft while lifting others, considering every poet who’s crossed paths with Sharp Pens as family. His next chapter includes publishing his first poetry book, a project he plans to bring to life with fellow Sharp Pen, Eric Thompson Jr.
Detroit, MI
P the Poet is a phenomenal poet and an even more phenomenal person. Born and raised in Detroit, she is a proud member of Jewel of Detroit (JOD) and has been the main host of every Sharpen My Pen since winning the very first edition. She also represents the city as a member of the Detroit Echo Poetry Team, carrying her voice to the national stage.
Outside the mic, she’s widely known as the “Pastry Peddler,” always moving through Detroit’s poetry scene with her basket of homemade vegan cookies. Whether on stage or in the community, P the Poet embodies authenticity, artistry, and Detroit excellence.
Detroit, MI
Eric Thompson Jr. is a dynamic force in the Detroit poetry scene. A frequent participant at Sharpen My Pen, he’s also joined us on our Chicago trip, marking his first out-of-town poetry experience. Eric hosts his own open mic, Rhythm and Libations, every other Friday and is a four-time author, currently working on his fifth book, while mentoring others to become authors themselves. Whether performing, hosting, or supporting fellow artists, Eric consistently shows up and stands out—making him a beloved and respected member of the Sharpens community and the wider Detroit arts scene.
Motown Mic 25' Champion
Detroit, MI
In just under two years on the scene, MiKaya The Messenger has established herself as one of the sharpest pens in Detroit. A phenomenal poet and a community builder, she has featured at venues across the city and quickly become a trusted voice among curators and platforms alike.
Beyond the stage, MiKaya curates her own monthly series, Wine & Write, where she blends artistry with intentional connection. Her commitment goes deeper than poetry—she believes in paying poets for their craft and creating spaces where community and creativity thrive together.
MiKaya The Messenger is not only an artist to experience but also a person to know, a collaborator, and a builder whose impact continues to grow.
These are the pens we call first. Writers who’ve blessed our stages time and time again, delivering not just powerful poetry, but polished presence, punctuality, and professionalism. Whether it’s a feature slot, a paid booking, or a slam, we know what we’re getting: excellence. These are the poets ready to turn poems into passports, and mics into milestones.
Detroit Verses, Detroit Echo, Author, Motown Mic 23
Motown Mic 24' Champion "I perfrom poetry from an Urban Perspective"
Detroit Grios, Detroit Echo, Author
Detroit Michigan Poet
"Create more than you consume"
LEV Open Mic, Author, Painter
They’ve shown up, shared their words, and made an impression. Some are still sharpening their craft. Others are sharpening their focus. Whether they write just for the love or are building toward something more, these poets are in the case, not quite Certified, not on tour just yet, but absolutely on our radar.
7Uave (Duval)
Aaliyah (Detroit)
An’twion Shamar (Detroit)
Artistic Genius (Ohio)
Asia Monique (Detroit)
Bella The Poetic Baker (Detroit)
Casesar Torreano (Detroit)
Ces (Detroit)
Chef Gabrielle (Chicago)
DGMJ (Detroit)
Dimonique Boyd (Detroit)
Domi The Poet (Detroit)
Drizzy Dria (Detroit)
Elijah Aziz (Detroit)
Elante (Detroit)
Embrace Yaweh Perspective (Nomad)
Falcon Heru (Las Vegas)
Fakir Adrian (Detroit)
Free K (Houston)
Frizz Allen (Detroit)
Fuzz X (Detroit)
Gabbi (Detroit)
Galaxy (Detroit)
Gene The Author (Ohio)
GrandFather Peace (Mt. Clemens)
Half Heart D3P (Detroit)
Hakeem The Peoples Poet (Detroit)
Heart Of Majesty (Jacksonville)
(Detroit)(Detroit)Hey Tyce (Baltimore)
Jaz Jamai (Detroit)
Jay Dolo (Detroit)
Jill Rose (Ohio)
Jewled Gems (Ohio)
Kacie (Detroit)
Kamia Ivory (Detroit)
King Luche (Ohio)
Kym Joyce (Detroit)
Lady Legend (Detroit)
LJ (Detroit)
Love Chyle (Detroit)
Mack Thorsday (Detroit)
Master Ru (Detroit)
Mercedes (Detroit)
Microphone Phelps (Detroit)
Monica (Detroit)
Moose (Detroit)
Nick Fury (Ohio)
Oke Young Genius (Detroit)
Omari Barksdale (Detroit)
One Single Rose (Detroit)
Peace Bell (Detroit)
Peaches and Kink (Detroit)
Phenom (Detroit)
Poetically Im Gifted (Detroit)
Poetry Feen (Ohio)
Reuel Jubilee (Detroit)
Remedi the Muse (Detroit)
Rogue Hart (Detroit)
Sade (Detroit)
Sage (Detroit)
Scar 4 Life (Detroit)
Sheezy Bo Beezy (Detroit)
Shay Marchanay (Detroit, Jacksonville)
Shawn B Speaks Truth (Detroit)
Silent Knight (Ohio)
Shelby Faulkner (Ohio)
Sonia G (Detroit)
Squeeze (Detroit)
Sin (Detroit)
Taj (Detroit)
The Protected Poet (Nomad)
The Real Lade - Detroit
Thursdays Angel (Atlanta, Ohio)
Whisperer (Detroit)
Zeporah (Detroit)
These are poets who’ve caught our attention from afar, through their presence online, performances in other cities, or the buzz from other platforms. They haven’t touched the Sharp Pens stage yet, but when they do, we’ll be ready to add them to the case.
5D.Estiny (Detroit)
95 Jupiter (Detroit)
Alease (North Carolina)
All Wise (Detroit)
Alisha Marie (Detroit)
Anu The Creator (Detroit )
Ashley Nicole – Charlotte, NC
Book of Blessin (Las Vegas )
Bryce The Third (Detroit)
Card 4 (Detroit)
Charming – Charlotte, NC
Cloud (New Jersey)
Guapo (Detroit)
I-Dee (Phoenix)
Jaden (Detroit)
Jamala (Detroit)
JDubb (Detroit)
Jordan Brown (Atlanta)
Jon Frison – (Detroit)
Jubille Jackson – (Detroit)
Kahlfani – (Detroit, MI)
Kamal Speaks (Atlanta)
Kira J (Atlanta, GA)
Kire Wif Words (Charlotte, NC)
Kayleen Powell (Detroit)
Khaleb Coleman (Detroit )
KNaga (Detroit)
Lyrical Faith (New York)
Majin (Detroit)
Malik ( Detroit)
Markuis Cartwright (Detroit)
Millz The Difference (Detroit)
Mind of Mila (Detroit)
Mindfull B (Detroit)
Modern Medusa Poetry (Charlotte, NC)
Monae (Detroit)
Monalyse (Detroit)
Motown OM (Detroit)
Mykai (Detroit)
Nexxus (Detroit)
Nu Era Sunshine (Detroit)
Oya Sunshine – Phoenix (Detroit)
Paris Jones (Detroit)
Power Of The Tongue (Detroit)
Prolific Pro Poet (Detroit)
Rehanna (Detroit)
Scott Muddon (Detroit)
Sean Speaks (Atlanta)
Spiritual K (Detroit)
TA Walk (Grand Rapids)
TMI (Detroit)
Torrey Gray (Detroit)
VRS Chuck (Detroit)
Zelly Zell (Detroit)
