Myisha Cherry's "Word Work" enlightens New York audiences

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The Literary Mogul, also known around Brooklyn and beyond its borders as Myisha Cherry, is a force of artistic nature. The tenor to her artistic and transcendent tone is staccato- Freelance Journalist, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Published Non-Fiction Writer, Musician, Creator of her own online literary Magazine, Un-Mute.com… she can even add the words ordained minister to her list of accomplishments, as she is an ordained clergy-person in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which dubs her devote to the spiritual word.  She has authored three books, and founded Mwaza Publications, a literary press whose goal is to publish talented literary content that inspires and enlightens readers.
The Brooklyn N.Y. resident also created The WordWork Group, multi-media company for emerging artists. In addition, she has released her debut album, SICK, a 16-track poetry experiment that combines poetry with soulful melody, hip-hop, rock, and folk.  Currently, she is working on her second album. She balances her time between “Freelance Writing for periodicals like Allhiphop.com, the African American Pulpit, and the Urbanite Magazine, art based entrepreneurial endeavors and teaching the world the fundamentals and value of both the literary and the spiritual word by taking on the role as transcriber and griot.  Describing her life’s purpose as “Word Work”, she believes that lives can be impacted by the power of words,” according to her website www.getsick.net.
 
Q. Describe yourself as an expressive artist in all of your forms, genres, etc.
 
A. I am an artist that specializes in a specific art form in which I call “word work.”  Meaning that I take words, exhaust them into art of all forms, and throw them out to people to not only be entertained by them but also inspired and empowered. I use poetry as a medium. Being a poet is two fold: literary sense and also performance. My role is to take the most hidden emotions and ideas and then place them on the page in as little words as possible, [while] striving to leave as much impact as possible.  But my role is to also exhaust these concepts and feelings into a poetic monologue on stage for people to feel and become sparked by. For the last two years I have used the acoustic guitar to help aid me in this, because it has the magical power to pull people into your words and the spirit with which you are saying them.

I also use writing as this medium. Writing in all forms: journalism and non-fiction work. I try to skip over from the poetic to prose to inform and empower people, in words less poetic but yet still engaging. I believe that while I can not be everywhere, my words can. Information is power. And inspiration is energy.
 
Q. What kids of artistic pieces are you working on now?
 
A. I am currently working on an untitled acoustic album to be released early next year. My last album had a few acoustic pieces on them, but it was heavy in production. With this new spoken word album, I want to strip it bear - let it be a representation of what people get when they see me perform.

I also just finished a nonfiction manuscript for which I am currently seeking representation.  I believe this book will inspire, help, and equip readers for generations to come. It’s a self-help book that brings out a consistent metaphor utilized by ancient teachers to teach wisdom. I exhaust on their principles and reinterpret them for contemporary readers. [But] that’s all I can say about the book. (Laughs)
 
Q. Of all of the poems/books you have written, which is your favorite?
That’s a hard question, because each text has a different purpose and effects people differently. But for me as the writer and the experience, I must say “at thirty” is my favorite. Its a poem that lays out the expectation of others placed on you as you get older, such as “do you have kids yet,” “are you married,” “you should make more money,” “leave art alone.”  My response is the refrain in the poem: “its not downhill from here, I’m going uphill from here, cause life for me will just be starting at 30″.  I also love the guitar composition on it - the guitar changes and all.
 
A. What’s your favorite play and why?  Why is it relatable to you?
 
My favorite play is Lorraine Hansberry’s is A Raisin in the Sun. I must admit that the work I love is never really separated from its artist. I relate to Lorraine.  She moved to NYC to become a writer, just like I did.  She wrote the play at a very young age.  The success of the play really inspires me that your first work and early work can be a success.

But I love the play for the message it sends about the American Dream. I think it displays African American’s desire for it in a real way. And also the unwise decisions we make in trying to pursue it.  But I love its details, the emotions, but also the triumph of the play: forgiving and refusing to compromise to get what you desire out of life.
 
Q. Which is the best play you’ve seen on Broadway?
Easy - The Color Purple. I’ve seen in twice - the original cast and then with Fantasia. The stage production was the best I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen props and backgrounds constructed so beautifully. To take a book of letters and create a play of dialogue and music was a challenge. But it was translated well. It kept the integrity of the book and combined comedy and drama on stage. The acting and music was superb. I also cried twice!
 
Q. Which artistic persona do you relate to more?  Billie Holiday/Jimmie Hendrix/Lucille Clifton?
 
A. Please let me cheat and combine Jimmie Hendrix and Lucille Clifton. I, like Clifton, am a practitioner of the “short poem”, trying to capture emotions and life in the shortest of words, and then leaving readers in awe and astounded.  That’s what poetry is all about. But I, like Hendrix, have a passion to continually learn and be the best. He always carried his guitar around with him. After shows, he would go to jam sessions at clubs to learn and vibe with other musicians. And through it all, he was humble and open to being taught. That’s who I am. Always carrying around my notebook, always wanting to learn how I can be a better writer and now a better guitarist.
 
Q. What’s the best artistic hangout in Brooklyn?
 
A. There are so many artistic hangouts in Brooklyn. Each one has a different vibe and persona. How I feel on that day, effects where I go. Everyday I work out of Breadstuy, a cafe on Lewis Ave. I write there, but I also enjoy it because its there that I bump into other writers, artists, actors, and intellectuals. We talk and connect there.  But there is also a new hangout spot on Thursday called “Spit That” at the YUME Loft on Bergen. It’s poetry, music, and art - it’s a positive time with very positive and creative people.
 
Q. Do you have a favorite artistic gift and a least favorite one?  Which one demands more of you?
My favorite artistic gift is when I’m able to combine all of them in one: the poetry and the guitar.
I don’t’ have a least favorite.  I appreciate and use them all. Writing demands more of me.  I’m finding now that I can compose something on the guitar very quickly and then when I write a poem to it… let’s just say it may take a while, but that’s why I enjoy writing so much.  It requires “you” out of it. Your intelligence, the right words, your feeling. At times you can’t do that automatically, it takes time.
 
Q. How are things going with your online literary magazine, Un-mute?  Why did you create it?
 
A. Un-mute.com was created a year and a half ago as a medium for writers and songwriters to showcase their work. Simply I was tired of me and my friends getting rejected by literary journals and even MFA programs, particularly when we felt that we had something to say and something to offer. So instead of crying about it (which I did several times) I decided to create our own magazine that could showcase our work.  Why wait for validation from others. We would become the vehicle of our own work. 

Each month we highlight four national and international artists: the illustrator, the writer, the lyricist, and the literary evangelist. And daily writers submit their literary work.
 
Q. As an artist, where do you see yourself headed in the future?  What is the inspirational vision you see in your mind’s eye when you’re a little weary at pressing on?
 
A. I want to write lots of books and articles, and create lots of albums and have the world eat it all. I see myself as a literary mogul.  But mogul not in the capitalistic since (although I would love and need to make money), but mogul in the sense of vision, the attainment of that vision, and creator of opportunities for others.
 
Q. Anything you’d like to say to other artists to inspire them?
Be you. Do you. Thank God for being You.  Create, despite what others think of your work. Learn, learn, and learn more about your craft. Share, share, and share more of your craft. And you will be happy and bring happiness to others.
 
To read more about the Literary Mogul go to www.getsick.net/

This story is filed under: Art Noire, Arts & Culture