Artistic Angel: Conversation with jessica Care moore
Posted on August 23, 2010 by Yvelette Stines in Inspiration
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I first heard the name jessica Care moore, during a PBS documentary titled I’ll Make Me a World, a series that celebrated African American artists in the 20th century. I was excited to see a Detroit writer represented and intrigued by Moore’s creative construction of words to create truth, awareness and unforgettable poetry. This year, I had an opportunity to meet Moore. We happened to be on the same early (6:15 a.m.) flight out of Detroit to a layover in Philadelphia. During the walk through the airport in Phillly, we talked about Detroit, following your dreams, creativity and of course writing. Keeping in touch, she took some time out share her story and motivational wisdom.
 A Guardian Angel Passes His Wings
Moore always had a love for writing. She wrote professionally as a journalist and captured her creative voice through poetry. It wasn’t until 2004 at her father’s funeral that she read her poetry aloud for the first time. The response was positive and she paid attention. “The poems just started coming to me when my father passed, it was like a spiritual enlightenment,” she explains. A self proclaimed daddy’s girl she realized her father’s death gave her the wings to fly and let the world hear her voice. “I moved to New York when my father passed away. I never would have moved if he didn’t. Five months after I left Detroit, I became famous.” Â She understood the power of his spirit and used that as her light to help her soar. Her voyage to New York led her to Showtime at the Apollo where she was a five time winner. This led her to become a critically acclaimed poet who performed all over the world and as a regular poet on Russell Simmons HBO Series Def Poetry Jam. Moore has shared the stage with artists such as Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Roy Ares, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and the late Gregory Hines and Ossie Davis just to name a few. As a writer Moore wanted to publish her poetry and was approached by major publishing houses but they didn’t understand her voice and vision so she created her own publishing company.
Let the Voices be Heard
In 1997 Moore published her first book of poetry, The Words Don’t Fit in My Mouth, through her company Moore Black Press. Many authors, activists and poets such as Saul Williams, Shariff Simmons, Danny Simmons, NBA basket-ball player, Etan Thomas, Ras Baraka and Asha Bandele have been published under Moore’s company. She understands the power and importance of publishing voices that may not otherwise be heard, but she is also keeping the words of Walter Mosley in her heart. He encouraged and advised her that “she is more than a publisher. The world needs her (creative)Â body of work and she needs to be writing.” She will continue to write and create a non-profit from Moore Black Press with plans to publish two books a year from an emerging and an established poet.
 
Moore continues to write and understands her position and responsibility not only as a writer but as an artist. “It is powerful to know that there is a strong history connected to my art. Many times in traditional educational systems we are not told the whole story and so much is kept from us. We must seriously do our homework and get rooted. I know presently that I am apart of something and I am not alone.” Expanding her artistic horizon, Moore has stepped into the world of visual arts and will continue her acting career. She was recently hired as the lead actress in a movie that will be filmed in Ghana and the United States. Acting is something Moore never sought after in the conventional way. “I know I can perform on stage that is how most of my movie roles came about. I know I can perform in front of a camera if I am directed well and the script is well written.”
 
With a plethora of projects Moore attributes her balance and humility to her son. “He keeps me grounded,” she says proudly. Her hometown is another element to her humility. “Detroit is a blue collar town, there’s a lot of inspiration from that. There are amazing artists from here and a rich history to fall back on.” As a proud Detroiter, mother and artist, Moore sees hope for the creative class in Detroit and encourages everyone to “hold on.”
Moore shares her motivational wisdom about writing, art and life.
-To be a good writer you must read and study your craft.
- Truly make art and don’t be afraid of it. If you make art first the money will come.
-Learn strong business skills.
- Release the naysayers and anyone in your life that stops you from telling the truth.
- Spend time with those who are smarter than you and people that can teach you something. Â
- As a writer let the art speak. Connect to the art first, don’t write to what you think the crowd wants to hear.
- Be fearless and have integrity in everything you do.
(Photography Credit-Thomas Richardson)
Fab bio and pics!
Lovely post, darling!
xoxox,
CC