Seattle Arts and Lectures

Monique Franklin (Verbal Oasis) is an multidisciplinary artist, scientist, healer and arts educator best known for her performance poetry. She has been referred to as “The Unofficial Poet Laureate of South Seattle,” “The Billie Holiday of Spoken Word,” and “The Verbal Manifestation of Nina Simone’s Soul”. Monique’s passion for equity and belonging is woven into everything that she does. Her poetry gives voice to social justice issues, Love, Self-discovery, Purpose, Healing, Liberation, Power, and Self-actualization. As a performer you can find her poetry commingling with the ancestors, musicians, vocalist and dancers. Locally she has performed in every manor of venue from Seattle Parks to Benaroya Hall. Monique is a 15+ year member of African American Writer’s Alliance and has self-published three volumes of poetry and has released three spoken word albums. She is also the Mother of the Mama’z Muezz Project which Includes Mama’z Muezz ( One woman play and book of Poetry), Mama’z Muezzic ( Live Show and Album), and The Mama’z Muezzeum. Monique has created, produced and .hosted poetry shows and open mics for artist expression and development for over a decade such as The Children’s Open Mic, Poetry & Jazz , Muezz Infuezzion, Acoustic Accolades, and Afrodisiac Erotic Poetry Show and the Verbal Oasis Spoken Word Festival. Monique is the Founder and Director of Inspired Child and the Founder and Board President of Inspired Child Community