Next Man Up, Poetry in Motion

Wesley Knight 0:00
This is a KU NV studios original program. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

Donavan LeDean 0:15
Here we go. Here we go. Move it. Move it. Move it. Yeah, beautiful, next man up.

Donavan LeDean 0:41
Hello and welcome to the show. I am your host. Donna Billy Dean, actor, author and inspirational rhythmic poet, you now tune in to next minute of poetry motion where the mission is to promote good mental health for everyone. This poetry show will motivate, educate and inspire you with spoken word, through cultural expression, we have a special guest today, charnae Elise Brandon, known as Miss Black. Nevada 2025. Is a mental health advocate, author and sound healing guy whose mantra is, I get finer every time I heal. As CEO of embody village, sincerely a healing soul and executive director of grounding oasis. She is a curator of soulful wellness experiences rooted in psychology, poetry and purpose. Her mission is to help others transform pain into peace through music and Mindful self reflection. Sharnae, thank you for being here. Thank

Charnay Ellesse Brandon 1:37
you. That's such a beautiful introduction I practice frequently. Amazing job. Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be

Donavan LeDean 1:45
on most definitely. First and foremost, I want to give you your roses and say congratulations on becoming Miss Black. Nevada, 2025 such a huge, huge accomplishment. How has that experience been for you. It's

Charnay Ellesse Brandon 2:01
been, it's been personal development and character development on a personal level, on a community level, it's been amazing to be able to go out into different communities. The light bulb on children's space when they see me, it's almost as if they're saying this real life, this real life queen, this real life princess, and they want to take the pictures and all the celebrity status on there, but it's also seeing another black woman or black girl light up and they want to hug, they want to experience and say, You know what, I'm represented somewhere. And that's been like the key component of being able to be represented in spaces that we might not necessarily talk about.

Donavan LeDean 2:39
Remarkable in October, you recently hosted and curated a phenomenal event called resilient women of domestic violence in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it featured discussion, panelists, expert advice from licensed professionals. You had poetry, acting scenes, resources for women who have suffered through domestic violence, but you also welcomed the men in the conversation to express themselves. What drives you to curate these ultimate wellness events that help those who are suffering, emotionally, mentally, to heal?

Charnay Ellesse Brandon 3:14
Yes, it's very deep rooted in my own personal healing experiences, especially as a young girl that grew up in not so good environments, and being able to say, well, how can I take my experiences both negative and positive, and what can I create out of it? I know growing up music has been was always a good tool for me, the arts, everything in that nature. And what I love about developing these programs is, you want it to be entertaining, but you not want to entertain. It's a complete difference with it. So being able to combine the arts with education and a way that people can understand it, and they can feel it in their heart. When you feel something in your heart, you're able to have that empathy. And that's where the excitement for me come in is having everyone have that aha, that connection moment, and now they're seeing their experiences in someone else, and then also being able to have that compassion. You never know what someone's going through. Most

Donavan LeDean 4:10
definitely, there are many people who have the benefits of attending and being an intricate part of the soulful wellness experience that you offer. What moment stands out for you that gave you reassurance that you're right where you need to be, helping others restore and heal?

Charnay Ellesse Brandon 4:29
Good question there. Tell you the truth. The AHA moment again. Always get re confirmation. When we're at the resilient women's domestic violence event, we have four ladies that wasn't a part of the program come out and share their story about domestic violence. And this was not only just your guests, but also licensed professionals. They're coming out and saying, Hey, I feel comfortable enough to experience or express what I've been through. I think that was, for me, the confirmation of, yeah, this is what I should be doing, okay,

Donavan LeDean 4:59
and where. Can they find you your business and your services?

Charnay Ellesse Brandon 5:03
Yeah, absolutely. You can find my business own. Body village. It's O, M, B, O, D, H, I, village, it's going to be you can most of it is on Instagram, and then we have our website. Same handle on body village.com,

Donavan LeDean 5:18
okay. Charnae, along with a Sheena Burke, will be hosting a women's community basic needs drive called Women with a vision empowering women and children through community care. Sunday, November, 23 at 1pm to 6pm at grounding oasis. 4343 North Rancho drive, suites 230 sharnae, it's been a pleasure. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Pleasures online. The poets that will be featured on our playlist today are Jenny, you Dean, Rachel, daveurer, Tariq Moore, Donovan, Lee D Liz Prince, Gabby Moreno, Stefan Pettway, Michelle Marrero, Zachary, Gutierrez and Sheldon. Alex Sebastian. Now let's get on with the show. This is next man up, poetry in motion. Here we go. Here we go. Next man up.

Speaker 3 6:12
Knife is hard. I'm trying to find a way try to copy sacred and do it?

Donavan LeDean 6:38
Go in with a fresh mind and a pure heart. Mistakes were made, go in with a fresh start. The emphasis is today. The uncertainty is tomorrow. I live another day. That's success. Time is borrowed. Hard edges on a regular another family has seen grief. Mics were cut off still. The Tennessee three were able to speak for the crying girl and dying boy slain by soft styles too many bullets to avoid. Pray for them as they attempt to fight for a law made for all, as they attempt to prevent another body to fall. History in the making, yet in the midst of infamy, they're setting aside politics for human safety, making enemies. Your vote can avoid the Williams Your vote can avoid the maybe it wouldn't what it got to be unprecedented as we witness the headlines of an indictment as the rich make more money on merch, posing as victims, inciting another. Riots never quiet. The problems are live. More foreigners are crowded US borders, like refugees after Roe v Wade reversed, more women are escaping rare things like refugees. More protest in the streets like help us please and dire need of open minds and clear views so that one day we're missing universal health care, making headlines on CNN news,

Donavan LeDean 7:48
exhale, PRAY, WAIT for it. Beast never came. Now, beware our man force bound to take the Republic. God bless us, as we fight for peace on earth, as mankind kills one another to gain more turf, for drugs, for crops, for money, for clout. Urgent message, human to human, heart to heart, change your route for a fresh start.

Donavan LeDean 8:18
Next man up

Speaker 4 8:20
the parachute release, I returned to the land below with something new to give, but nothing new to see. It feels swell to return sturdy land in two feet, but it doesn't feel fine. What is wrong with me? I guess I'd rather spend time up high with the clouds in the sky than among the rest of us, where I'm from, which I came, where I went, where I've been, how it feels like better off? Is it wrong? If it is, prepare the ship. I'm going back.

Donavan LeDean 8:52
I'm going back. Next man up,

Speaker 5 8:54
Clay. I am a Filipina, brown sugar skin, almond eyed sight. Voice, deep, resilient and full of fight. I am a Filipina. Vocals like Whitney and Aretha, singing knees to the ground as I hum heavenly sounds. I am a Filipina. I eat with my hands dried rice on my shirt. Don't matter, because when I flirt, I am a Filipina. Wrote two pcns, twirling candles around my palms, dancing to nickeling while keeping calm. I am a Filipina. Got a sister that's a nurse. She survived covid, 19 at its worst. I am a Filipina, watching corrupt legal crimes. My bloodline dancing on picket lines. I am a Filipina Ruby Ibarra raps and serenades, inspiring an era of rebelling renegades. I am a Vegas Filipina DJ e rock, Beng and P dot rocking these streets, their sets never flop. A Vegas Filipina fall. Below the lights to California Hotel. If you know, you know that ox tail real well, a Vegas Filipina making something out of nothing, making space for all human race to come together, fly, birds of a feather. Humanity, in our voices and our choices are clever. I am a Filipina, American, immigrate. No hate spreading poetically, penai words, that's my fate. I am a Filipina. What are you

Donavan LeDean 10:34
next? Man up, Dave,

Jenny Uddin 10:36
I have traveled through many worlds. Some have been superficial, some have been dark. Some have been filled with terror, some have been filled with sorrow. Some have been tainted by drugs. Some have been floating in Oblivion. Some have been plagued with mental illness. Many worlds have been built on lies, on pain, on grief, on greed, on jealousy, on envy, on pure hate, all the worlds that I have seen created on the hopes that when they open the door you do not see their illusions, of depression, desperation, of rejection, of anguish, their feelings unable to be properly expressed. So you witness tantrums, tempers, bitterness, anger, all the things that these worlds will say to you when you wish to leave them behind, fill you up with guilt, with shame, with cruelty, as if you were the creator of their world. Yet the truest of magical worlds have not only been seen with one's eyes, but felt with one's heart. You have felt it in all aspects of your being. These creators are self aware of the negative energies that linger, but can ride its wave without fear, into the depth of solution, into self love before anyone else, anointed in their confidence, enlightened into their ecstasy, grateful in their existence, humble folks, always listening, expressing love, compassion, serenity, thankfulness and kindness. See, these worlds are filled with light so bright you are attracted like a magnet. These worlds have been burnt to the soil in order to be replanted in trust and self respect and forgiveness and love insecureness and enchantment. These worlds in their truths, living in their reality, encouraging you to live within peace. These are the worlds that are worth surviving. Next man up

Speaker 6 13:43
inside me, I need to zone in on the world inside me. Make sense of the silence inside me, create peace with the thoughts inside me, speak the truth of the words that live inside me, channel the voice inside me, hear the melody inside me, feel the beating heart inside me, nurture the child inside me, Please the beast that resides inside me, soothe the soul inside. We relinquish the fear inside. We relax the breath inside. We release the energy inside me, extend the love inside me. Listen to the soul inside me. Focus on the vision inside me, open the eyes inside me, embrace the warmth inside me, express the aggression inside me, conquer the hesitation inside me, strengthen the core inside me, grateful for the power that I possess. Inside me walk with dignity, because I know what's best for me. Here

Donavan LeDean 15:05
we go. Here we go. Next man up. Hello.

Speaker 7 15:09
So the first poem I'm gonna read is called the colors of you. Thinking of painting, my canvas is blank. I put it on the easel and I grab my paint. There are several colors that I choose my favorites being the greens and the blues. I pick up my brush, I begin to paint, trying to envision what I will make, moving the brush up, and I strike it down. My wrists are so soft, they barely make a sound. I move the brush left, then I paint some on the right. My painting is coming together. It's really quite the sight. I step back to admire my art. I think about the meaning, and I realize it's from my heart. The meaning is so complex. Where would I even start? Maybe by describing the purpose of the colors in my art, or by telling you the first color I use is the color of your eyes, or how the second is the color of your hair, or maybe how the third color is representing how much I care, or how the fourth color is your favorite and the fifth is mine. I made them twist together, intertwine the colors together, show my love for you. And each time I look at my painting, I'll see our favorite colors and be reminded that you love me too. Next man up,

Speaker 8 16:14
playing in the music. Allow me to devil and davel, or we could call it piddle and paddle while writing a couple riddles while my brain just goes off and rattles about the music and the notes that ride the ruffled feathers of the rough seas and with the waves washing across my toes and the soles of my beautiful black kingly feet composed with A flow of No Limits, dangerously bumping against the wall, making lines come across, magically mystical. The difficult acknowledgement of taste and tolerance becomes a sour pill and a bottle and you can't even swallow it. You got to take it apart like a puzzle and put it back together. You got to make the dough rise and fall like a rider slaying Heather, the better the opportunities, the better linguistics, the better that the rhythm of the soul will feel this. The better opportunities, the better the linguistics, the better that the rhythm of the soul will feel this. Peel this onion back. It's got layers captivating and voluptuous. Ooh, it's not fair. Like jumping from a foul line. Your Jordans have got airs playing in this music, son, I live there. Move in if you want. It's got plenty of floor space. Atone for your sins before you take shape. Say your Hail Mary's because all eyes are on you. Sovereignty of punishment, sincerity of plea to make this music sound cool to you.

Donavan LeDean 17:46
Next man hotel.

Speaker 9 17:49
This poem is titled The anxious boy that it's been a minute since we last spoke. I've lost some loved ones along the road, been healing and experiencing growth, lost myself and fell alone, the anxious boy that who always has hope, even when it got dark in the depths of the unknown, I managed to climb back up to my throne. My mind always in the clouds, but I'm still in my zone. These past few years have been a blur. Finally did therapy. It eased the hurt, learning every day about my self worth, setting boundaries. I tend to give too much, but don't get the same in return. I live my life on my own terms, selective with my inner circle and my words. I have a huge heart, keeping it safe, no longer getting hurt, healing my inner child was the cure. I take walks that give me peace. My anxiety is always within reach. It's played a role in achieving my dreams, but it's also made it hard to breathe. My view of leaning into the bathroom sink almost became a ritual I didn't need. Realize my anxiety will always be a part of me, learning to not see it as my enemy. But it gets tough when my stomach is in knots, nausea, vomit, ruminating, thoughts, imposter syndrome, feeling like I'm not good enough. Then I challenge my brain and it resets, but it never stops. Started healing by giving myself love, working on my mental health daily. The journey is a never ending one. It may get dark, but the sun always comes up. Please keep going. Don't ever give up.

Speaker 6 19:17
Don't ever give up. Next man up my place, please allow me to reintroduce myself. I have found the epicenter of safety. This place calls my name and welcomes me to my new life. This place sets me free. In my mind's eye, I shouldn't speak of it as I might scare it away, but my visions give way to its sublime glory, the space in between where the gloomy hearts reside, where the night sky speaks to you as you lie awake, where body aches and pains fades away and transmutes treasure your voice. Is are calling you from far away, teaching you your truth, asking you to unlearn and rewire, to be brave and inspire.

Speaker 10 20:09
You can rest here. Let me repeat that you can

Speaker 6 20:16
rest here with eyes closed and an open heart, collecting love. Be not afraid, for this is a chance to walk in your heaven, to see your light and experience the real you.

Donavan LeDean 20:32
Here we go. Here we go. Next man up.

Speaker 4 20:36
When home doesn't feel the same as it was, Where shall I go to feel that old love? I need a new place for my soul to find ease, for my mind to find solace, for my heart to find peace. Another day is draining, another night the same. I can only hope tomorrow I can leave with what remains. Can leave with what remains?

Donavan LeDean 20:57
Here we go. Here we go. Next. Man up. You. Yeah, let me chime in on this one right here.

Unknown Speaker 21:04
Man, the people mission, no time. Body.

Donavan LeDean 21:14
Governments on shut down. I gotta find no hustle for right now. No wellness shakes, no support base, and your inflation is minimum wage. Hope I'm in London. Don't force the bank to turn me down for a long time, to kind of profile, to get many arrested for committing no crimes. More problems. Do can't barely pay the card no on light bill, stressed out, you know, stand tall with my head high. I refuse to kneel on welfare, on food stamps, but food prices are sky high in two weeks, though, food stamps won't be enough to get by. Workers leave a job because he owns strike because the pay is low. Inflation. Spices got suicides, got pill addiction, got more debt with no remission, more problems that have more problems. Give it to us. A human issue I'm trying to solve breach, more problems that have more problems. It's a human issue I'm trying to solve them.

Donavan LeDean 22:20
The next man up,

Acamea Deadwiler 22:27
coexisting in many realms of thought, a walk in prayer, meditation. I can't evade frequencies. I can't explain speak to me and wisdom's name, I've been on that resonance before they coined it. Schumann's Babylon, can't control me. I broke out the show like I was Truman, the human programmed analytics can't measure the spirit, thus they can't fully study us at this point, disappearing. Know thyself, mental, physical and etheric. Lyrics. Tap into your central node, to the soul. You can feel it. Sit in the sun, download codes. I can hear them. There's a natural mystic flowing on Mother Nature's bio rhythm. Get on beat. Connect with every single living organism, like ancestors before, these evil ways of the system walking the less traveled road I and I have seen many visions, many nights, sitting still yet still I listen. Guidance enters the vessel with pure precision, a choice to make daily. Why do we wrestle right decisions? Tussling with the test illusions carrying us away from the way we already know what's best. Come back home, beloved, you no longer have to beat an eagle's chest. Perch inside like an eagle in its nest. Followers Cliff dive into the next trend since the you always been taking heed to the riddles the elders were testing. Now I'm years ahead with good investments. Just bump my head a little less than nonetheless, an imperfect perfection, a walk in prayer, avid meditator, realms of thought between each I'm a mediator, a metaphor of sorts, seeing obstacles as sport I must master slow and steady, wins the race. I learned that in the beginning chapters of a book without middle or end, life goes on again and again. I write on and on with my mind as my ink and my soul as my pen. You

Speaker 11 24:45
next man up Palindrome, one at sea.

Speaker 12 24:53
Can I achieve hope all by myself when I'm far off, almost lost? Lost in crossing waves, in crossing waves, almost lost when I'm far off all by myself. Can I achieve

Donavan LeDean 25:17
hope? Next man up, black love,

Speaker 13 25:24
the kind of love that starts off by aching because we're terrified, terrified of showing our soul, laying down masks, having our triggers exposed. What kind of father did I have? So how do I see black men? What kind of mother did you have. So how do you see black women, black love, is on the siege. It's being attacked, and sometimes it implodes from the inside out, because instead of holding each other up, we tear each other down. But what if? What if there was another way, a scarier one, but one that almost guarantees success, one that demands that we see each other, look right into our soul and breathe, cry, scream. But then what follows is peace, a love so strong it runs through generations and cultures, between Africans, African Americans and Caribbeans between men and women that were told they should hate each other. What happens on the other side of the conversation? It doesn't deny the truth. It doesn't deny the betrayal. It acknowledges it sits and stands in it, but then lets it go, moves on to a better tomorrow, starting with a possible today, black love, the kind of love they said we could never have, brothers and sisters, not from another mother, but from the same father, the one above. Black love, the one that builds communities, Black Wall Streets like the ones we saw burned down. True Love, like a man and a woman holding hands through trauma, healing together, walking the path that's narrow so that our children have a broader path reinvented love, the one that doesn't follow rules but follows values and standards, uplifts women and honors them, sees the Queen and treats her like one, so she can hold up her king, let him come home to a safe space where she can hold his soul, cover his heart, and be the one to protect him. For once, do you believe in black love, the one that teaches our children how to love their hair, their foreheads and their noses, how to love their skin unapologetically, how to sing our songs and dance our dances and hold our traditions, at least the ones that serve us, the ones that remind us where we're from, the continent that holds the imprints of Our identity. I believe in black love. So I'm waiting, waiting for my king to find me, to recognize his queen amongst all the other women that claim they desire him, but I'm the only one who truly sees him. That's my kind of love, black love. You.

Donavan LeDean 28:23
A black love. Before we go, I would like to conclude with a power message. It's a message about perfection. Embrace your imperfections, to perfect at whatever you're trying to become elite at. Pipe down on beating yourself up because of your mistakes, because even the most elite make mistakes too, fall back, assess the errors you've made, observe resources to perfect your craft. Ask others for growth and guidance, and soon you will elevate thanks for tuning in to next man of poetry in motion. I am your host, donnavilly. D, to see my inspirational and poetry reels, you can go to YouTube at Donna village. Also, you can find my poetry books, children's books and coloring books on Amazon under my name, Donna really D for actor or poets bookings. You can contact me via email, DV media, one zero@gmail.com Special thanks to my guest, Miss Black Nevada, charnae Elise Brandon for stopping by on discussing details of her wellness experience and mission on restoring and revitalizing good mental health. Huge. Thanks goes out to donor Stephen King, whose contribution allows you our listeners to listen to more frequent radio programming. I am Donna Veli D actor, author and inspirational, rhythmic poet until next time, peace

Unknown Speaker 29:53
thrive. You.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai