July 17th, 2024
Written by Project Comms member Nickalos
Introduction
NYT bestseller, entrepreneur, and author of his newly published poetry collection “We Alive, Beloved” Frederick Joseph visited Project Comms to work with members around the writing they love to create and discuss his career as a multi-hyphenated writer and artist.
Talking about the factors integral to his successes, such as an unshakeable drive to expand his repertoire in crafting beautiful works and showing up where people expect him not to, Frederick Joseph gave personal advice to members about the importance of pursuing what they love with purpose and strategy.
Orating Together
Frederick set off with a reading of “1520 Sedgwick Avenue” from his poetry collection to warm members up before they read the pieces they wrote. An ode to J Dilla and the way hip hop has resonated throughout his life, Frederick orated his poem, fittingly, over a J Dilla beat.
Members connected with Frederick Joseph, sharing poems, mini-essays, and the reasons why they love to pursue drawing, writing, filming, and poetry. Frederick linked each member’s interest to some aspect of writing, helping them see that art and writing can be connected and be more than how they might initially define them for themselves. Frederick Joseph was not only interested in the writers, he was interested in the dreamers. He went around asking each member about their interest, followed by giving them personal advice on how they can grow in their individual fields. He helped them think about how to plan for their dreams and the many options that exist. Frederick Joseph’s interest in the members went beyond that one day of speaking.
Facing Criticism
Before becoming a bestselling author, Frederick used to live in Yonkers when he was younger and would like to prove people wrong when it came to his talents and skills. Frederick shared a story with Project Comms about a woman who read his recent poetry collection We Alive, Beloved. She came up to him and asked if the collection was his and if it was any good, a jarring question that touched on Frederick’s confidence as a writer. He responded affirmatively. She proceeded to sit right next to him, reading his poetry collection out loud and in real-time, rating each poem in her head along the way. A nerve-wracking experience, Frederick Joseph exclaimed that upon finishing her reading, the woman said that Frederick was a great writer and that all the poems she read were good- except one. The lesson Frederick wanted to convey to members was that as they progress along their passions, whether it be writing, film, or drawing, feedback never stops. And what he has learned is to prioritize certain feedback over others. Here, to remain steadfast in his confidence that he is a strong writer but to also ask the woman why she disliked one poem, hoping to learn from the critique. A key point Frederick also emphasized was to remain focused on why you like doing what you like to do, since that love and passion is what is most important.
Important Lessons
Project Comms is more than grateful for what Fredrick Joseph brought to us. Members learned life lessons and other helpful tools for their future, such as not stopping what they’re passionate about and not letting anyone define them. He also provided insight into how a person can unlock and hone their creativity. Members appreciate what he had in store for us and will further improve their writing and communications skills. Before leaving, Fredrick Joseph left members with an assignment to help them define what storytelling means to them and we can’t wait to give our unique takes on it.