Meet Ebony Davis | Poet, Author, Small Business Owner, Motivational Speaker, and Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ebony Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ebony, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

When it comes to taking risks, I personally don’t look at them as risks even if that is what they are. I am a firm believer that anything we endure in life is either a lesson or a blessing and sometimes the blessing come after the lesson. I feel my ability to motivate and inspire through poetry is my God given purpose to incorporate the change I want to see. So, with that I know there will be different obstacles (risks) that will occur along the way.
Taking risks has played a MAJOR part in my career. As I mentioned I believe I am walking in my God given purpose doing what it is I was put here to do. With that it requires me to have faith and that faith is amplified whenever I take “risks”. I took a risk in 2010 when I went onto 103.7 The Beat, a local radio station, and read my first poem not knowing how it would be received and that was the kick start/birth of Gemini DaPoet. A more recent “risk” would be in 2021 I walked away from my Corporate Job with Geek Squad to dedicate all my time to my passion and open up my business and decided to be my own boss. I had no plan, I just knew it was something I prayed about and knew once God gave me confirmation that I made the right decision. I had some moments of fear because I was walking away from a guaranteed pay check every two weeks to completely relying on my business and poetry to cover my living expenses.
I can’t lie and say it was easy, in fact I endured a lot during that first ear. So much so I returned to the working field for a local nonprofit, with the understanding that I’d still be able to do the work that I do with The Diatribe Inc., that has us going into local schools and teaching poetry and helping students find their voice while addressing mental health. After some change in leadership at that nonprofit, I was advised I would no longer be able to go into the schools and I was basically put in the position to choose the nonprofit or continuing to follow my passion. After some consideration (and prayer) I walked away from the non-profit and once again was faced with figuring out how I would meet my daily living needs without a guaranteed paycheck. But I trusted God and knew as long as I allowed him to lead my steps I’d be fine he would supply all my needs.
Since that time The Diatribe Inc, created a role here for me in Muskegon that was backed by the Mayor of Muskegon, to do the work I’d been doing in Muskegon for free, I’d know be paid monthly to do that. I also recently began an interim role with The Diatribe that allows me to not only do what I love on a larger scale but to also focus on my business and not have any concerns about how I will pay my bills. So to sum it up, if I would’ve never taken the risks I have I would be stuck helping someone else’s dreams become a reality instead of waking up each day and doing what I love and feel is my purpose.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own Poetic Aspirations LLC. I created the business in honor of my daughter that passed, Imani. as a way to honor her legacy. Although she only lived for 14months she saved me from me and made me the woman I am today. What sets me apart from others is I discovered my purpose through the pain I experienced losing my grandmother, daughter and 2 aunts 9 months apart in a span of 2 yrs. With my business I offer custom & premade greeting cards for all occasions. What sets my greeting cards apart is I personally write the poems for each card and with the custom cards there are no 2 cards alike.

What I am most proud of is being indicted as the FIRST author in the Author Garden at Muskegon Community College which included my plaque on a bench next to the iconic Terry McMillian. I have gotten to where I am today via trial and error. I made a lot of mistakes by just diving head first however, I am thankful because without making those mistakes I wouldn’t be where I am today. To be completely honest it hasn’t been an easy road however, nothing worth having comes easy! I overcame the challenges I endured by keeping the faith, doing research and utilizing local resources for small businesses such as the SBDC.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way is to not be afraid to ask for help. Don’t allow your pride to hinder your and in return make your business suffer. What I would want the world to know about my brand and my story is that I am living proof that your past doesn’t determine your future. What was meant to break me made me into the woman I am today and I start each day looking to inspire and motivate someone. Because my motto is if I can touch at least one than I am doing my part!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a best friend that didn’t stay here (mine stays here), and I wanted to show them the best time ever some things we would do would be as follow:

We would eat at the infamous Mr. Scribs, The Chicken Coop, Corine’s , Dannie Lane’s BBQ, Weezy’s, I would order a catered meal from Kuntry Cookin all which are staples in our community.

We would visit Muskegon Community College’s Author Garden to show them the plaque of me, our infamous Pere Marquette Beach/Pier.

There isn’t really a whole lot of outing options here but if there was an open mic happening I would take them there or to one of the various poetry events in Grand Rapids that may be occurring while they are here.

Most of the time I’d probably have them hang out with my Framily and show them how I am surrounded by a group of amazing entrepreneurs who are all working to make the community a better place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of course there is! First and foremost my Mother, Drewnett Smith, My Auntie Grandma Lillie Smith, and my baby Brother Arsenio Davis. These 3 believed in me and supported me when I didn’t even believe in myself. They have stood by me through my darkest times and have always encouraged me to stay the course no matter how hard things may seem.

My circle of Framily (friends that are frailly) for being a listening ear, to provide words of wisdom, to keeping me on track when I seem to be falling, and most importantly for telling me what I need to hear vs what I may want to hear!

103.7 The Beat (Paul Allen Billings & Robert Roundtree Sr.) for believing in me and not only giving me my first platform but for being there along the way supporting, encouraging and providing wisdom.

Website: www,poeticaspirationsllc.org

Instagram: geminidapoet231

Twitter: geminidapoet

Facebook: Ebony Davis and Poetic Aspirations LLC (business page)

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