Photo provided, Jess Lorraine Photography
Poet and writer Wynter Storm.
Utah poet and published author Wynter Storm is bringing positive change to the Utah community through the power of words.
In 2020, Storm founded the UBLAC organization, the Utah Black Artists Collective. According to its website, UBLAC has a mission to inspire the Black community “through the voices of diversity, strengthening the cultural presence of vibrant and talented Black artists, musicians, performers, poets, author, dancer, and any kind of Utah creative. ” UBLAC also has a youth mentorship program that aims to educate and inspire Black youth as well as support upcoming artists.
“I meant it when I said I was committed to making a difference in our community, and making it a more inclusive and safe space for everyone,” Storm said. “UBLAC helps lift those artists without a platform, and we’re working with organizations to make the spaces and celebrations in our state more diverse and inclusive.”
According to Storm, UBLAC has other programs for the community. Currently, there are 35-plus Black professional artists doing work for change. “UBLAC is a step towards rewriting our facts; I look forward to the rest of the journey, ”Storm said.
Storm began his journey as a poet at the young age of 8. “The first time I heard a Maya Angelou poem read aloud, I knew I wanted my words to flow like that someday,” he said. niya. Storm’s first poem, titled “Rainbows,” was published that year in his elementary school. Then, he started writing and exploring dictionaries, feeding on words as most of us writers do. Poetry writing was a secret Storm kept in most middle school and high school, only reading them to his closest cousins, who always encouraged him to continue writing. “I can’t thank them enough for encouraging me even if no one knows,” Storm said.
Storm’s inspirations evolved throughout the years, from young love to going out and embracing his sexuality, then “writing himself better” through a series of “I” poems. In 2017, Storm experienced a lot of trauma from health problems, a horrific breakup and racism. Because of the operation, “I don’t know how to play the drums, so literally all I have is writing. I started writing, and my 19-year-old’s words sounded very different to me, ”he said.
She found inspiration from Ebony Stewart and decided the best way to follow her dreams and spread her message was through Open Mic nights. “I wrote out of fear and hurt, but my poetry is very powerful,” she said. Storm joined and toured with the SLC Slam team soon after.
Thursday night at the Unspoken Bar on Historic 25th Street, Storm will emcee Ogden’s first Speak-Easy Poetry and Mixed Media Jam. She will share her poem titled “Dear Woman.”
“It’s an uplifting piece focused on women, and it’s definitely needed now,” she said. If he has time, Storm will share his poem “Revolutionary Dreamer.” “It speaks about all of us being one, even the beloved community.” That’s the mission and message Storm hopes to spread.
“Music and Poetry are healing,” reads her biography, “and that is her personal mission; to help heal our land of a new moment at every opportunity. ”
For more information, visit UBLAC.org and find Wynter on social media on Instagram (@wynter_storm1), Facebook (@wynterpoetry) and Twitter (@WynterThePoet).
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