Monique Franklin

Monique Franklin (Verbal Oasis), is an activist, poet, performer, scientist, and mother from Seattle. She has been referred to as “The unofficial poet laureate of South Seattle,” “The Billie Holiday of Spoken Word,” as well as “the Verbal Manifestation of Nina Simone’s Soul.” Monique is a 10+ year member of African American Writer’s Alliance and has self-published two volumes of poetry entitled Acoustic Accolades and Erotic Annals of a Poet. She has released two albums of poetry Acoustic Accolades Volume 1 and Hot Summer Nights. She currently co-host and co-produces Afrodisiac Erotic Poetry Show celebrating the diversity and sexuality of people of color. Learn more about this creative soul at www.verbaloasis.com.

Monique received 2019 GAP Award funding for Mama’z Muezz a one woman theatrical piece written and performed by artist Monique Franklin that explores the theme of African-American motherhood glimpsed from present day and historical vantage points of mother’s of African descent. Specifically this funding would go towards revising and generating new content to bring the show to a full hour and the creation of the soundtrack.