ON FRIDAY AUGUST 25TH, WE’RE RETURNING WITH “GENIUS” FT. DASHA KELLY!

Dasha Kelly is a nationally published writer, poet, artist, and consultant. In 2016, she was named Artist of the Year by the city of Milwaukee, and she has twice been a finalist as Poet Laureate for the State of Wisconsin. Dasha is also the founder of Still Waters Collective, a resource network for writers and storytellers, which has crafted programs and community initiatives using creative writing and spoken word to build leadership and shape self-esteem. Below, we caught up with Dasha to get to know her better.

1. What do you typically eat for breakfast?  Croissant, banana, coffee.
   
2. What do people know you for?  Writing, performing, mentoring and building.
3. How is Milwaukee special to you?  I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Milwaukee for a long time.  I’m frustrated by the complacency in the water, but seeing so many bold, creative and productive conversations and partnerships in recent years have definitely bolstered the love side of things.
   
4. What may people not know about you?  I’m a high-functioning introvert.
   
5. What drives your creativity?  I don’t know that anything drives my creativity, suggesting it needs fuel or a combustion apparatus or a reason…  My processor for the whole world is creativity: connecting dots that I haven’t seen connected before.  This is finding shortcuts in a commute, combining mismatched fashion patterns, negotiating a free can of soda, writing a one-woman show.  It’s all the same creative brain, always on, always celebrating dots.
   
6. What are you going to talk to us about this month?  My charge and challenge about the idea of “genius.”

Ticket registration opens Monday, August 21st at 11 AM CST. Grab a ticket as fast as you can — they are free but limited!