Thursday Real Talk

Artists of Words

Words are a powerful tool.

And I believe we need to be intentional with how we use them.

Not everyone understands the power of words, tone, timing, pauses, delivery, and presence.

Some people speak just to fill space.

Others speak to connect.

To move people.

To calm people.

To challenge people.

To make people feel something.

That is an art form to me.

Back when I used to host Open Mics at my coffee house, Flava… I used to call poets and spoken word artists:

“Artists of Words.”

And I meant that.

Because not everyone has the ability to use words, voice, cadence, inflections, emotion, storytelling, and energy in a way that pulls people in.

I’ve always paid attention to delivery.

Not just what someone says…

but how they say it.

You can tell when someone is fully present.

You can feel intention.

A person can say:

“I understand.”

But another person can say those same two words… and you feel it in your spirit differently.

That matters to me.

I think a lot of that started with my daddy.

Being raised by a Baptist Minister, I learned early on the power of my daddy’s voice and subtle body movements when he spoke in front of people… whether in church or meetings.

He knew how to slow down.

Pause.

Lean forward slightly.

Shift his tone.

And people listened.

Not because he was loud.

Not because he demanded attention.

But because his presence carried weight.

Even as a child, I noticed that.

I watched how words could comfort people.

Move people.

Teach people.

Correct people.

Even shut things down when necessary.

Words carry energy.

And if I’m being honest… I think that is why storytelling is so important to me now.

I don’t want my blogs to sound polished and perfect.

I want them to sound like me.

I want people to hear my voice through my words.

My pauses.

My reflections.

My humor.

My warmth.

My edge.

I want my writing to feel like I’m sitting across from someone having a real conversation.

When I was active in the arts and entertainment industry, I wanted people online and on my radio shows to experience the same energy they would experience from me in person.

Consistency mattered to me.

Presence mattered to me.

And it still does.

To me… great storytelling is when someone reads your words and pauses for a moment and says out loud:

“I get it, Flava.”

That’s when you know the words landed.

Not because they were fancy.

Not because they were perfect.

But because they were felt.

Real Talk.

Lady Flava 🌻