How do we find honesty in our work and what makes it radical? Why does honesty even matter? In this workshop we will discuss those questions as well as dive into self-discovery and examine our relationship with our work. We will learn not to hide behind our words but use them to empower ourselves as well as others. Most importantly we will look at ways to make genuine connections with our audience by sharing our authentic voice.
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JAMES COATS is a multidisciplinary artist, author, and educator born in Los Angeles and raised in the Inland Empire. As a creative change agent he believes the arts can inspire youth and influence positive change in the world. His first poetry collection If I had Lived was published in 2018. He is the winner of the 2021 San Gabriel Poetry Slam. In 2021 he founded the organization Lift Our Voices Education which hosts an award winning workshop monthly called Be The Change: Social Justice Writing Workshop. He became the Artist in Residence at The Garcia Center for the Arts in 2022. His newest poetry collection Midnight & Mad Dreams is published by World Stage Press. You can find him attending poetry readings throughout California or follow his poetry via his Instagram @MrLovingWords.