In nearly six decades of work, she has mentored hundreds of authors, poets and women globally. Her poetry has appeared in African American Review, Essence Magazine, Ms. Magazine... and dozens of literary journals and lifestyle magazines. In 2003, she was the recipient of the North Carolina Award for Literature (the highest award the state can bestow for significant contributions in science, literature, fine arts, and public service). She was selected for the Forbes distinguished 2022 list, 50 Over 50, in the Lifestyle category. She is an activist and a humanist, expertly versed in the power of words to lift the spirit, and she excels at the magic of her being. She is passionate about "helping women, children, immigrants and newly literate citizens."

She is the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate. When he appointed her in 2018, Governor Cooper stated that “(She) brings a deep appreciation of our state’s diverse communities to her role as an ambassador of North Carolina literature.” Her mission is to "promote and expand appreciation of the literary arts" and "help ensure a high quality of life for all North Carolinians." And that's why Here's to Life is proud to welcome, Jaki Shelton Green, poet laureate of the people.

"Poetry is about so much more - it is about the work we do here on the planet. It is about crafting quality work and saving lives, elevating lives. It’s about the spirit. The serious writer who wants to work with an editor, the serious artist who wishes to workshop her work. My measurement of success is creating someone who is serious about the writing process. This is editing. This is refinement and curation of the spirit.” - Jaki Shelton Green

"we are the messengers/new messengers/arriving as mutations of ourselves/
we are these messengers/blue breath/red hands/singing a tree into dance"
From her poem "who will be the messengers of this land."

CREDITS:
Guest: Jacqueline Shelton Green
Host and Producer: Tori Reid
Executive Producer: Patrick A. Howell
Co-Executive Producer: Tori Reid
Writer: Patrick A. Howell
Post Production: We Edit Podcasts
Post Production Assistant: Alana Coleman
Voiceover Artist: Vïntóry Blake Moore
Premier Advertising Sponsor: Vivreau Water Systems
Advertising Sponsor: Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Ad Voiceover Artist: Ginger Levert
Logo Photography: Bobby Holland / MPTV Images
Photo credit for Jacqueline Shelton Green: Duke University

Music:
"Sry" by Twelwe
"Soft Speak" by Siarate
"Febrero" by Vendla
"Less Than Endless" by At The End of Times, Nothing

a Victory & Noble production
@ 2023 Victory & Noble LLC All Rights Reserved.

Find out more about Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green here:
Jaki Shelton Green books
Jaki Shelton Green at Duke University

Dubbed a “national treasure” and nicknamed the “Mother of Black Hollywood,” she’s starred in over 400 episodic TV shows, 68 movies, and four Broadway shows. During her prolific screen career, she’s most notably known as Zelma Bullock in Tina Turner biopic "What's Love Got to Do With It" and as Ruby Johnson in the socially-conscious sitcom "Black-ish." She’s an award-winning actress who steals every scene she’s in, and yet her “real work” is off stage and off camera as an activist and a mental health advocate. She’s a whirlwind of energy who has no time to waste. Her latest book and riveting work, “Walking in My Joy: In These Streets” touches the soul, makes you laugh out loud, while imparting ways on how to love yourself and keep negative energy at bay, while being beautifully transparent about her epic journey. She is a lover of life who is larger than life. Buckle up!! In this fiery conversation, they talk about the importance of loving yourself, her road to her authentic joy, making self-care a priority, how you can be in your joy, her latest book, and so much more. Here’s to the one and only, Jenifer Lewis.

CREDITS:
Guest: Jenifer Lewis
Host and Producer: Tori Reid
Executive Producer: Patrick A. Howell
Executive Producer: Tori Reid
Writer: Tori Reid
Post Production: We Edit Podcasts
Add’l Post Production: Brian K. Jackson at Maven Soundz
Add'l Editing: Cutting Edge Editing
Post Production Assistant: Alana Coleman
Music Supervision: Another Place in Time Music
Voiceover Artist: Vïntóry Blake Moore
Premier Advertising Sponsor: Vivreau Water Systems
Advertising Sponsor: Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Ad Voiceover Artist: Ginger Levert
Logo Photography: Bobby Holland / MPTV Images
Photo credit for Jenifer Lewis: Unknown

Very special thanks to Terry Marsh, Ph.D.

Music:
"Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 - I, Moderato" (Rachmaninoff) by Skidmore College Orchestra

a Victory & Noble production
@ 2023 Victory & Noble LLC All Rights Reserved.

Connect with the Guest:
Jenifer Lewis on Instagram
Walking in My Joy: In These Streets

Part II: Tori returns in delight with one of her favorite spirits, a true comedian's comedian and one of the world’s most groundbreaking, well-respected, and beloved entertainers. A true pioneer and legend in the entertainment industry with 52 years of comedy, relationships, stories, and wisdom to share. He has made over 500 national TV appearances as a stand-up comedian, including more than 60 appearances on The Tonight Show, and was a favorite guest of David Letterman. For fourteen years, he was the opening act for Frank Sinatra, and performed countless times with artists like Smokey Robinson, Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He is currently appearing to rave reviews around the country in his one-man show “An Evening Of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra.” In this spirited Part 2 conversation, they talk about the inner workings of show business, how to have balance in life, your ego vs spirit, what brings him pure joy, and so much more! Here's to the man who made Sinatra laugh, and Tori's beloved "Uncle Tom" ... Tom Dreesen.

“The day I met him, my life forever changed. The day he passed away, I knew my life would never be the same.” - Tom Dreesen (on his relationship with Frank Sinatra)

CREDITS:
Guest: Tom Dreesen
Host and Producer: Tori Reid
Executive Producer: Patrick A. Howell
Executive Producer: Tori Reid
Writers: Tori Reid and Patrick A. Howell
Post Production: We Edit Podcasts
Add'l Editing: Cutting Edge Editing
Post Production Assistant: Sydney Rhone
Music Supervision: Another Place in Time Music
Voiceover Artist: Vïntóry Blake Moore
Premier Advertising Sponsor: Vivreau Water Systems
Advertising Sponsor: Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Ad Voiceover Artist: Ginger Levert
Logo Photography: Bobby Holland / MPTV Images
Photo credit for Tom Dreesen: James Devaney

Music:
"Jazz Intimate 6" by Magnus Ringblom
“A Warm Welcome” by Martin Landstrom
“Ready for New York” by Tiki Tiki
“Tropic Swing” by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
Vivreau Ad Music - "That's What Left Us Behind" by Christian Anderson

a Victory & Noble production
@ 2022 Victory & Noble LLC All Rights Reserved.

Connect with the Guest:
Tom Dreesen Official Website
Still Standing: My Journey From Streets and Saloons, to the Stage and Sinatra