About Me
My Experiences
Shelby” Mahogany” Wilson has been in Alaska for over 20 years. She is the Vice President of Black Feather POETS Alaska. Black Feather P.O.E.T.S is a non-profit organization built on bringing cultures together through art. Shelby is a published poet who started her poetic venture with Alaska Poetry League. In 2005, she was forth runner up in the Alaska Poetry Slam contest. Since then Shelby has expanded her creative talents to include performance poet, workshop facilitator, writer, spiritual counselor and motivational speaker. As a performance poet, Shelby strives to entice the audience with life’s moments. Taking an experience and expanding upon it with emotions. Her pen spills the ink from the pages of her soul out into the world touching the heart of individuals.
Shelby has facilitated poetry and created women empowerment workshops for over 4 years. She has conducted workshops for YWCA Leadership Conference, Hiland Correctional Center, Success inside and Out, Northstar and woman empowerment seminars for Black Feather POETS. She has presented at the annual Pink Ice Gala for Cancer 2010 & 2011, Successful Recovery Giveback Program 2012, Jazz and Poetry gala 2012, Take Back the Night organized by STAR (Standing Together Against Rape), open for BET comic Bobo in 2012 also performed at Celebration of Change presented by Radical Arts for Woman 2011 & 2012, and Alaska Pride 2012. She has appeared on Poetic Soul and Alaska Teen Media Institute.
Speaking Influences
Shelby has been an International Toastmaster member since 2009. During her time in Toastmasters, she has accomplished several milestones including being Club President, Vice President of Education Twice and mentoring a club back to Distinguished Toastmasters Status. Shelby has conducted a leadership training at the 2012 YACT Fall Conference and several Club Officer training's for new officers. Her skills as a speaker are inspirational and motivational. She captivates audiences with her poetic rhythm as well as her infectious personality. She knows each person has infinite potential. Given the opportunity and guidance they will soar.
Publications
Her work has appeared online in Daily Love, Vox Poetica, Fib Review, Eskimo Pie, Poetry from Wherever, Poetic Medicine and Bent Alaska. Her print work has appeared in “In My Life Time: Wonders” Anthology, “Building Fires in the Snow” Collection of Alaska LGBT Writers, Safire Magazine and Alaska Women Speak. Shelby produced and appeared on a spoken word CD entitled Lyrical Finesse, a Black Feather Production. She has self-published a Chapbook titled "Serenity", a Poetry Collection titled "Broken Wings, Mending Damaged Souls", “Verbal Stimulation, An Intimate Collection of Poetry” and BeautiFly, Poetry and Affirmations. She believes in giving back to the community by encouraging people to discover their authentic self. Shelby has facilitated poetry and created women empowerment workshops for over 5 years. She has conducted workshops for YWCA Leadership Conference, Hiland Correctional Center in Alaska, Northstar and woman empowerment seminars for Black Feather POETS. She believes her purpose is to co-inspire individuals to discover their greatness.