In YourWords

Poetry is a necessary force in today's chaotic world. Let Jason Vasser-Elong enchant you with his original work as well as convince you why the art of poetry is important for everyone, especially young people. This conversation also includes Mr. Vasser-Elong's enlightening reflections on identity, heritage, and the African diaspora.

Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing each other's stories. Artists, teachers, students, and activists wield their words in interviews with Michelle Haberberger of YourWords STL. Gather wisdom from those working toward equity in one of the nation's most divided cities.

YourWords STL is a non-profit organization that uses tutoring, creative writing workshops, and collaborative projects to help amplify the voices of St. Louis youth. Learn more at http://www.yourwordsstl.org.

Our intro sounds are provided by Joey Ferber. Our outro sounds are from the song "For Me" on Aysia Berlynn's new album, Synth & Soul.

Guest Biography

Rhyme and Reason: Poetics as Societal Dialogue was the ethnographic capstone for an anthropology student that searched for meaning in the poetry of spoken word poets in St. Louis, Missouri. After earning a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Jason Vasser-Elong published his debut collection of poetry Shrimp (2Leaf Press), which analyzes identity in a post-colonial context, in April of 2018, distributed by the University of Chicago Press. While using an anthropological lens, Jason continues to research identity.  

In addition to his peer-reviewed “Treading the Atlantic” published in the special edition of the Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies – Netherlandic Migrations: Narratives from North America, Jason has also been featured in and has essays in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch "From kente cloth to shrimp: Symbols tell powerful stories", "Where the 'Shrimp' story begins" in The St. Louis American. His most recent poetry appears in  Red Fez Magazine (Issue 140, 2020), The St. Louis Anthology (Belt Publishing, 2019), the latest in their City Anthology Series. Find out more about Jason and his work at www.jvasserelong.com 

How do universities connect with their communities? In this episode, YWSTL chats with Dr. Brynne Schroeder, Webster University School of Education Community Engagement Coordinator. Dr. Schroeder discusses what it means for both Webster U students and administrators to get involved with the people and organizations surrounding the Gorlok campus.

Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing each other's stories. Artists, teachers, students, and activists wield their words in interviews with Michelle Haberberger of YourWords STL. Gather wisdom from those working toward equity in one of the nation's most divided cities.

YourWords STL is a non-profit organization that uses tutoring, creative writing workshops, and collaborative projects to help amplify the voices of St. Louis youth. Learn more at http://www.yourwordsstl.org.

Our intro sounds are provided by Joey Ferber. Our outro sounds are from the song "For Me" on Aysia Berlynn's new album, Synth & Soul.

You can connect with the Webster University School of Education on Twitter at @Webster_SOE. The Webster Speaks Series is available at http://www.webster.edu/diversity-inclusion/webster-speaks/.

Guest Biography

Brynne Schroeder is a faculty member and community engagement coordinator for Webster University’s School of Education. She earned a PhD in Human Development with a concentration Organization Development during the spring of 2020. Before pursuing her doctoral studies, Brynne received a Master’s in Clinical/Community Mental Health and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Her research interests include: college success, social and emotional well-being, identity development, and emerging adulthood.
Outside of work, Brynne likes to spend as much time as she can with her husband, friends, and family. She's an avid reader who especially loves science fiction. She is also a huge soccer fan and enjoys spending time outdoors playing sports, running, or hiking. 

In this premiere episode of the Gift of Words podcast miniseries, YourWords STL interviews teaching artist Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond. Listen in for a wide-ranging conversation that also includes an out-loud reading of the poet's work.

Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing each other's stories. Artists, teachers, students, and activists wield their words in interviews with Michelle Haberberger of YourWords STL. Gather wisdom from those working toward equity in one of the nation's most divided cities.

YourWords STL is a non-profit organization that uses tutoring, creative writing workshops, and collaborative projects to help amplify the voices of St. Louis youth. Learn more at http://www.yourwordsstl.org.

Our intro sounds are provided by Joey Ferber. Our outro sounds are from the song "For Me" on Aysia Berlynn's new album, Synth & Soul.

Guest Biography

A Mississippi native, Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond is a published poet, master educator, community arts organizer, and successful entrepreneur. Treasure was raised in the federal housing projects, and went on to be signed to M.C. Hammer’s label as a hip hop artist, and writer. She is the author of chop: a collection of kwansabas for fannie lou hamer (2015). Her doctoral research focuses on the recorded performances of foundational Black Women poets, and the ways they deployed sound to impact the canon and justice movements. Treasure centers collaboration in her personal arts practice and as an organizing principle. As such, she has co-founded Fannie Lou Hamer House, a retreat space for Black artists, and a funding collective for Black artists called The Black Skillet with artist Dail Chambers. Treasure is the founder of Feminine Pronoun Consultants, LLC, and Get The Acceptance Letter Academy.
After being signed to M.C. Hammer’s record label and releasing an album that DID NOT catapult her to fame and fortune, Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond went back to college and became a teacher. Since 1998 Treasure’s “plan b” has taken her farther than the music industry ever did. Not only is she a master educator, who has taught in high schools,colleges and prisons, Treasure is also a published poet, community arts organizer, and successful entrepreneur.

In 2016 she founded Get the Acceptance Letter Academy where she helps busy parents of college bound teens secure top tier education without massive debt. She has helped hundreds of families secure millions of dollars in scholarships. Testimonials to her success as the “#DebtFreeDegree Expert” can be found at www.GetTheAcceptanceLetter.online.