Neptune the Poet’s introduction to the spoken word was on a karaoke machine rapping as a kid. Now, the poet and creator is a fixture of the local spoken-word scene, often performing at various open mics throughout the city. Neptune uses her voice for positivity, threading together issues like racial inequality and violence with self-love and warmth in her poetry. Neptune, a Washington native, talked about the personal growth she’s experienced in the past year and getting to a point of self-love. She also discussed the Baltimore arts community, overcoming fears, "Black Boy Blues" and the purposes writing and performing serve in her life.