Rising Stars: Meet ZBassSpeaks of Lafayette

Today we’d like to introduce you to ZBassSpeaks.

Hi ZBassSpeaks, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I wrote my first poem in the third grade and was unintentionally published twice in the fourth and fifth grades. Even then, I had no real sense of where I was going with the concept of poetry. It wasn’t until middle school, when an ESL teacher taught me the power of words in spoken word and poetry, that everything shifted. From that point on, I dedicated my poems to people—to a vision of building a better world for everyone who lives in it. I went to as many open mics as I could, sharing my message on increasingly larger stages. Ten years later, I would go on to earn the title of Poet Laureate of Lafayette, becoming the first Two-Spirit Indigenous poet to hold the position in over fifty years.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, what I have reached on my road of life was most definitely not easy. The main struggle was growing up poor and not knowing very much. Being poor meant I couldn’t always indulge in my love for poetry—from going to open mics to attending events I was invited to as a kid. Survival took priority, where a ten-dollar entry fee could mean the difference between entering a poetry contest or having lunch. I constantly faced the choice between being a starving artist with no guarantee of ever “making it,” or becoming complacent and killing the part of myself that made me feel most human. As a child of immigrants, I was navigating uncharted territory. I had no idea how to pursue my love of poetry in a proactive way, how to connect with people, or even how to name myself within the art. But poetry was always there for me—not as an object to chase success, but as a source of comfort and guidance when no one else was around.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a poet who currently holds the responsibility of serving as the Poet Laureate of Lafayette, Colorado. This means I work to introduce poetry— in all its many forms— to people who may have never experienced it, while also offering new work for longtime lovers of the art. My specialties are my workshops for kids; there is nothing more gratifying than hearing from teachers that a quiet student suddenly felt compelled to share their writing with the class.

As I walk through my community, I’m often recognized and affectionately called “The Poet.” I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve been able to do through poetry—reaching the hearts of many and leaving something meaningful behind. In Indigenous culture, we call that “Good Medicine.” In that sense, poetry becomes something that heals and something that speaks to the human experience in every way.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are far too many people to name when it comes to those who have contributed to my success. I am forever indebted to their support, their love, and everything they have given me—both material and immaterial. I want to give special recognition to my beloved teacher, Diane Witt; may she rest in peace. Her dedication to my education during my early years has stayed with me throughout my life. I am grateful to Elaina Verveer for being my guiding arrow and my light. To Karen Rafthor, thank you for your gift of knowledge and thoughtful insight. And to Clifford Bridges, thank you for mentoring me and teaching me even when I was too young to fully understand, and for showing me what it means to be more human.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zbassspeaks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zbassspeaks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBassSpeaks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zbassspeaks

Image Credits
Karina Wetherbee (Portrait)