SSF 2019 Featured Poet Haibian

Since the age of 6, Haibian has been writing; from short stories to poetry. She had her first published poem at 12. Performing since the age of 18, Haibian’s interest has always been in the captivation of her listener’s attention with topics that are for the everyday person. She also focuses on staying true to her LGBT community.

She shows her support with volunteer work and personal events to help within the LGBT community. As author of April’s Royal’try Series, Haibian’s main focus is to show her readers a view in the life of herself during the month of April. With April being national poetry month, each book within April’s Royal’try Series will keep you captivated and motivated.

www.haibianlights.com

Deborah Magdalena

Whether she's hosting a spoken word event, music festival, or playing the role of a santera or vixen, Deborah Magdalena makes every emotion super real. This performance artist has acquired impressive TV & Film credits for the past twenty years including Sesame Street (CTW), Apollo Comedy Hour (Tribune Entertainment), Safe Harbor (Warner Brothers), Striptease (Castle Rock), Holyman (Caravan), and For Love or Country (HBO). As a published spoken word artist Deborah has released three CDs, a chapbook, and the spoken word musical FUNKdalena. As an artist-activist she’s the founder of Spoken Soul Festival, a twelve year old, three-day festival that helps women artists go from novice to professionals. As an educator Deborah for the past eight years has led in-school presentations in numerous high schools for the National YoungArts Foundation, is the co-founder of Piano Slam, and led various workshops for local art organizations like Miami Light Project and Institute of Contemporary Art Miami. Most recently and for the seventh year in a row, she was invited by the Arsht Center and Ailey Arts & Education Foundation to serve as the Creative Communication instructor for Ailey Camp Miami.