Stephen Kalinich

Originally from New York, Stephen found himself in the world of writing and music as he relocated to the west in the 60s. Stephen has years of professional writing under his belt having worked very closely with famous singers. While under contract as an artist signed to the Beach Boys, Kalinich co-wrote several songs released by the group including “All I Want to Do,” “Be Still,” “Little Bird,” and “A Time to Live in Dreams” with Dennis Wilson. Kalinich is also the lyricist and co-publisher for Brian Wilson’s duet with Paul McCartney “A Friend Like You,” on Wilson’s 2004 solo album release, Gettin’ In Over My Head. Kalinich also has collaborated with a number of recording artists, performers, musicians, and composers including P.F. Sloan, Art Munson, Ken Hirsch, Randy Crawford, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Fernando Perdomo, Odyssey, Clifton Davis, Chris M. Allport, and Diana Ross.

MASON GRANGER- GET LIT FOUNDATION

Mason Granger is the Manager of Public Outreach at Get Lit. Originally from Philadelphia by way of Willingboro NJ, Mason is a poet with 15+ years of professional experience on stage & in classrooms across 49 states and six countries as ⅓ of the performance poetry trio, Mayhem Poets. In 2014, he created Slam Find, a digital platform specifically intended to connect fans of poetry videos with the poets & live poetry venues where these videos are born. Between 2016-2018, he was the official videographer for the Women of the World Poetry Slam, National Poetry Slam, and Individual World Poetry Slam, producing hundreds of poetry videos that continue to garner million views across multiple platforms. In the spirit of his mission of always keeping the ‘live’ in ‘live poetry’, Mason hosted the weekly Poet NY open mic at Bowery Poetry Club in NYC from 2017-2019 while also serving as Executive Director of Bowery Arts & Science through 2019.

Salome Agbaroji