Crystal Senter-Brown
Writer. Speaker. Educator.
(Not your normal) Bio
When I was 18 years old, I did what most 17/18 year olds do: I graduated from high school.
But I also gave birth to my son Adonte.
Back then, I had no idea how I was going to provide for my son, but I knew I had no other choice but to do my best work in order to create a good life for my son. There were a lot of bumps the first 2 years, but I finally settled in Springfield, MA where my aunt Roberta (my mother's younger sister) lived.
Soon after I arrived in Springfield, I enrolled in Springfield Technical Community College and took a creative writing course taught by Margaret Szumowski (RIP). That's where I discovered the poetry of Lucille Clifton, whose short (yet powerful!) poetry literally changed me as a writer. I also competed in my first poetry slam (and won!) while I was at STCC.
In 1995, I (along with 2 friends) started an open mic at a cafe called Sea Cafe & Art Gallery in Gasoline Alley and for the next few years I wrote poetry and performed on a regular basis with other local writers. I loved the sense of community we had at Sea Cafe, and the regular open mic made me want to create new poems to share every week.
22 years later and I am still writing! I have also self-published 7 books, written a screenplay for The Rhythm in Blue movie, earned two degrees and I am teaching at a local University!
I am proof that your bumpy start does not have to stop you from achieving your dreams. Just set your goals and do the work! I would love to come to your next group gathering or event to share my story and my books. Email me if you would like to receive my booking info.
But I also gave birth to my son Adonte.
Back then, I had no idea how I was going to provide for my son, but I knew I had no other choice but to do my best work in order to create a good life for my son. There were a lot of bumps the first 2 years, but I finally settled in Springfield, MA where my aunt Roberta (my mother's younger sister) lived.
Soon after I arrived in Springfield, I enrolled in Springfield Technical Community College and took a creative writing course taught by Margaret Szumowski (RIP). That's where I discovered the poetry of Lucille Clifton, whose short (yet powerful!) poetry literally changed me as a writer. I also competed in my first poetry slam (and won!) while I was at STCC.
In 1995, I (along with 2 friends) started an open mic at a cafe called Sea Cafe & Art Gallery in Gasoline Alley and for the next few years I wrote poetry and performed on a regular basis with other local writers. I loved the sense of community we had at Sea Cafe, and the regular open mic made me want to create new poems to share every week.
22 years later and I am still writing! I have also self-published 7 books, written a screenplay for The Rhythm in Blue movie, earned two degrees and I am teaching at a local University!
I am proof that your bumpy start does not have to stop you from achieving your dreams. Just set your goals and do the work! I would love to come to your next group gathering or event to share my story and my books. Email me if you would like to receive my booking info.