Today we’d like to introduce you to Vee Allen.
Hi Vee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the oldest of eight children, born and raised in Philadelphia. I experienced a rather difficult childhood and moved around a lot. Drawing and writing became a therapeutic means of escape really early on. Journaling, short stories, and of course poetry, all fueled by my imagination, grew from a passionate hobby into a craft I loved. Although writing keeps me alive, it’s not exactly a means of making a living as a full-time artist…yet! So I keep my creative energy flowing by way of fitness training, coaching gymnastics, and being a dance instructor.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely been rough, bumpy, and even a little dark at times! However, the biggest struggle I’ve overcome has been internal. The constant battle of feeling I deserved certain things versus believing it, and therefore WORKING for it. Procrastination still has a tendency to rare its ugly head on the daily, lol.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a spoken word artist, performer, and poet who primarily uses my art to heal, advocate for, and give voice to women’s issues, with a specific focus on women of color! So poetically, I am known as Lady Syren.
Occasionally, I do step on the other side of performing by putting on my mc/host hat. I enjoy curating open mic events in the south Philadelphia and Germantown sections of Philadelphia. Along with my friend and business partner, Yogi Jawn, I am the co-founder/cohost of That Poetry Jawn open mic, which is open to all artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have a saying… that I don’t have any luck, like, at all! I never win prize drawings or get my number called for raffles. Although, I have won on a slot machine or two, lol. But honestly, I am nothing but blessed. Luck comes by chance, even when you don’t always deserve it. Blessings require a lot of faith, a little work, and even more patience! I’ve been blessed to overcome a lot of adversity, a lot of nay-sayers, and people who claimed to be “friends” with no intentions of acting like one when it mattered most. I’ve been blessed to have real people supporting me and giving me a shoulder to lean on. They are few. But they are mighty!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladysyren/
Image Credits
Photo cred- DSC_3378 @Scarletnova_photography (IG) _MG_8732 @CassidyJanae.photos (IG)
