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JaMika or “Jampoet†as most would know her; set her sights on success at an early age. At 6, JaMika would use her free-time writing short stories, songs, and poems. Imaginative and perceptive, JaMika’s writing reached beyond her years and kept the attention of peers and adults alike. It didn’t talk long for her to discover the hobby she took on to pass the time, was an innate talent that she quickly developed a passion for.JaMika grew to be an avid reader and music fan. In the 6th grade, JaMika took up the Alto Saxophone with heavy participation in Jazz, Concert, and Marching band all the way through college. During her junior high 8th grade year JaMika was identified as academically gifted for English and placed in the AG (academically gifted) program for students who excelled in English and Math. In high school, JaMika balanced the high demand of AG, Honors/Advanced Placement classes, and her extracurricular activities with ease.At 16, JaMika had been profiled in the local Fayetteville Observer 3-times in one year for her writing accomplishments, pending book deal, and influence on the community. JaMika’s ability to find words that other people seemed to be looking for drew attention of the community and soon she was doing poetry for funerals, weddings, and various write ups. In 1999, JaMika graduated from highschool with the reputation of a gifted writer and orator. After participating in the National Forensic/Debate tournament in Phoenix, AZ for Humorous Interpretation during the summer, JaMika set her sights on Fayetteville State University for the fall. As a Chancellor’s Scholar and full academic scholarship recipient, JaMika began to make her mark again writing “punch music†for her saxophone section, speaking at the Phi Eta Sigma honors induction, and writing the “Cheerleader’s Prayer for Varsity Cheerleading squad Cheer Phi Smoov.It was in her freshman year that she met famed poetess Nikki Giovanni. Nikki kept in contact with JaMika through letter and telephone throughout her freshman year. It was not too long afterwards that JaMika published her own poetry book at age 20. “I Am The Word†sold countless copies and propelled JaMika into taking her next step onto the performance poetry scene. It was when JaMika moved from Fayetteville, NC to South Philadelphia that JaMika saw her identity as a spoken word artist take shape. It was at Jill Scott’s home, “THE OCTOBER GALLERY’S PANORAMIC POETRY†that JaMika transformed from her former nickname of Mo’Soul to JamPoet. It was also at the OCTOBER GALLERY that JaMika would meet the likes of Jill Scott, Talaam Acey, The Twin Poets, and Lamar Hill. Soon, JaMika formed “Exceptions to the Rule†with fellow artists Traycee Lynn Bryant, A.K.A. “Ministree†and Raymond Baxley A.K.A. “Brotha Rayâ€. The group toured Colleges and Universities with their spoken word show to raise consciousness and inspire the youth’s point of view about the society they live in. JaMika later went into the studio with Ministree’s guidance and put out her first spoken word album: “Casting Down My Staffâ€. JaMika, a noted and respected artist on the Philly scene participated in numerous radio shows and interviews. More notably, JaMika was the featured artist in Writer Blocks, a newsletter turned highly circulated newspaper in the Philly area. JaMika’s writing slowed after taking a position in banking, but now she is has re-emerged with a different perspective on life and a newfound passion to pursue what comes natural…THE ART OF WRITING.