Carlene "Spirit" Roberts

 

Business Director & Project Coordinator for the Diversity Poet Educators ~ Christian, Mother, Poet, Author, & Community Advocate. Originally from New York, now residing in Virginia Beach. Adapted the name “Freespirit” from many after being recognized as loving, caring, spontaneous, laid back, anxious, spiritual, helpful, cheerful, warm, sensitive crazy, rebellious, respectful, non judgmental, open minded, sharing, independent, diverse, trusting, honest, intelligent, moral, family orientated, controversial, energetic, and of course… creative! News Editor for The Prototype Magazine. Event Coordinator for Soul Café Self Expression Community Out Reach Program. Local organizer for the Million More Movement. Also a member of the National Council of Negro Women. On the panel of The Community Advocacy Network, which went to congress to speak out against the budget cuts to social programs. Advisory Committee Leader for The City of Norfolk Culture Teen Fest and on the entertainment committee for the Virginia Juneteenth Festival. Graduated from a specialized art school called Fashion Industries, studying Fashion Design and Merchandising. Also attended Long Island University in New York, focusing on Marketing & Advertisement. Over 8 years experience in management and Medical Administration. Currently, going back to school to become a Nurse to aid in health programs in third world countries. With volunteerism in her blood from as early as elementary school, devoting almost all of her spare time assisting the schools administration staff, teachers, and peers in self-expression, resume writing and job search. Also, substituting as a sister figure in her community in New York. Conducting mediation groups and counseling. Being an example of self- esteem, ambition, freedom, and love. Teaching the youth, and young adults on relationship, sex, and the importance of education. Spirits plans for the future lays in God’s gracious hands but her goals is to contribute her blessings to others, donate her abilities to worthy causes and to promote diversity, positivity, motivation, and love. Being a Universal Spirit.

Performance/Event Resume

• Performed Spoken Word/Poetry in venues and festivals through out the east coast, from New York to Florida. Carlene “Spirit” Roberts has been the opening act for The Last Poets, Melba Moore, Dead Prez, and Ursula Rucker. She has worked with Talaam Acey, Black Ice, Shadokat, 13 of Nazareth, Queen Sheba, some of the east coast slam teams, some of HBO’s Def Poets, Cuba Gooding Jr., Thelma of "Good Times", Dizzy Gillespies daughter, Jeany Bryson and many… many more. Also opening for Susan Taylor, the Editor of Essence Magazine, in March 2007.

Host:

Carlene "Spirit" Roberts is a host for a variety of events, concerts and programs for over 3 years. Including the Who's House Production's Jazz n Poetry series, The Hope House Foundation annual poetry events, the Afram Festival, the City Of Norfolk Teen Culture Fest, St. Mary’s HIV Prevention Retreat, the Junteenth Festival, school and church events. Currently a radio host on WGPL 1350am on Sunday's from 12pm-6pm.

Colleges:
• Norfolk State University 2005
• Thomas Nelson Community College 2005
• College of William and Mary 2005
• Old Dominion University 2006
• Virginia Commonwealth University 2006
• Virginia Wesleyan College 2006
• Hampton University 2006
• Franklyn & Marshall 2007
• Tidewater Community College Literary Fest 2007

Workshops:
• Monthly Youth Poetry Workshop; Ages 12-18, Hampton Roads
• Soul Café Self Expression Workshop; The Richmond Public Library
• Why I Write For Peace Workshop; Hopewell Elementary School
• Personal Child Safety Workshop; Nubian Village Academy
• 12 Weeks Creative Writing/Self Expression; Lake Taylor Middle School
• Utilizing Our Resources Workshop; Sentara Health corporate office
• Many More Available.

Charity Events:
• The Underground Open Mic; Profits donated to charitable causes
• Millions More Movement 2005; Organized and sponsored bus to D.C.
• Slam Fest 2005; Domestic violence awareness showcase
• Word Up! 2005; 3 day Community service projects & showcase
• Erotic Slam 2006; promoting safe sex & HIV/AIDS awareness
• Afram Slam Series 2006; Celebrating the art of Poetry with SEVAA
• Lady Palooza; Showcase celebrating woman in the arts
• The Hope House Slam 2005, 2006, 2007; Fundraiser for adults with disabilities
• 95.7’s 2nd Annual Comedy For The Cure 2006; performance fundraiser
• 2006 Annual Food Drive with Virginia Council Woman Karen Scott
• 2007 Womb Of Wisdom For Woman’s history month.

Theater:
• Walking With A Panther. 2007 East coast premier. Original play debuted in California in 1996, staring Clifton Powell.

Books and Cd’s:
• The D.P.E. Compilation Chap Book; Collection of Poetry
• Skipping Stones Anthology 2006
• It’s Not Spiritual… Its Personal
• We Just Want To Be Heard CD

Publication:
• The Prototype Magazine; Creator, writer, and editor. A bi-monthly Arts and Culture Magazine serving thousands, published by SC Publishing. ISBN number available upon request. Media coverage for Cuba Gooding Jr. 3 day tour in Virginia for the movie “Dirty”.

Displays:
• Breathing Peace Poem; Suffolk Museum display of The Art Of T 2006. A multimedia exhibit, featuring visual artists interpreting the letter T and writers interpretations of those visual works.
• Concrete Streets Poem; Display and performance for “Evidence: An Art Show About Police Brutality”. North Carolina 2006

Media:
• 95.7; Radio Interview with Karen Parker Chestin 2005 ~ Charles Black 2007
• 91.1; Radio Interview 2005, 2006, 2007
• Tidewater Community College News Paper (Chesapeake) 2005
• 88.1; Radio Interview 2006
• 105.1; Radio Interview 2006
• The Virginian Pilot; 2006
• 103 Jamz; Radio Interview with Deja 2007

Awards and Nominations:
• The National Underground Spoken Words Poetry Award for Community Oriented Underground Poet (male & female); 2006 & 2007 nominations
• The City Of Norfolk Division of Youth Development; 2005 Award
• The National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Award for More Like Family winner for 2007

 

Hot 91

95.7 R&B

103 Jamz
Y Do U Think

Azzure Denim

Hope House Foundation
Who's House Productions  

City of Norfolk Division of Youth Development 
Tidewater Community College
The Virginia Poets Society
Hampton’s University ~ Spark One ~ Peer Group 
National Council of Negro Woman
The Million More Movement
The City Of Richmond Public Library
State of Virginia Parks and Recs
Child Advocacy Network 
Independence Realty
Virginia Beach House of Comedy

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Testimonials

Hey Spirit ! I just wanted to say you did an excellent job last night at the Ursula Rucker show . I was most impressed. Annnd I'm so glad we met face to face...FINALLY.
Peace and Light

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WOW! This is what I do! Help to empower the community !
What is the date! Hope i have not missed it!
God be with you all!
Thanks so~o much for the e~mail updates.
We loved the event with Dizzy Gellespi 's daughter! I'll open my schedule if you need ANY help and support! I am S~O~O grateful for this program! It helps poets like myself share our gifts and bless the community!
Congatulations to all the winners!!
We are all winners in the heart especially when we CHOOSE to obey God!

Kimberly Winn 

Hello just wanted to send peace and blessings to all with a hearty thank you for allowing our participation in the Womb of Wisdom. I look forward to supporting and being a part of upcoming DPE events!!
Tierra Walker 

Spirit,
Thank you for your time and participation in the empowerment programs on monday. It was a full day but we really made a difference.Your cousin's poem was the best part of the day.
Sean C

I really enjoyed your poetry at the Skipping Stones release in Chesapeake last Saturday. I did not get a chance to speak with you, but I wanted to let you know that it was a pleasure to hear you speak. Good luck with your radio program. If you would like to read some of my work, you can visit my blog www.bledwards.blogspot.com.

Best Wishes, Brian

To Spirit

P.O.M. POET OF THE MONTH
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
- Bible: Ecclesiastes
I share this blessing with you for if it not for you I wouldn't have
the strength, courage, drive, and inspiration to make it this far.
This is my begining and I will carry you with me till my end!
Our journey shall be endless!
One Love One Poet!

Hello this is Denise McCleese with A Musicians Heart. I just wanted to thank You for the gracious way my musicwas presented on The Passion Party. I hope our future contact is soon.

God Bless You.

I enjoyed "No Church" Spirit
And your achievements are commendable. I'd like to visit the Diversity Poet Educators one day. Maybe add my voice to the choir there.

After hearing No Church, I have a track called "Hear Me Now" that you might like. You can find a sample @ cdbaby.com/maximpact