Meet T Gardiner | Poet and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with T Gardiner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi T, what matters most to you?
Empathy is the foundation of my business practice and my movement through the world. Everything we do serves to build community, and that is best done when we seek understanding. The human experience can be very trying, and I love the idea that people can walk away from me feeling lighter, energized, and more optimistic about the future! This is particularly important to me as a queer, black, woman. Empowerment is my tool against oppression and empathy is the basis. Building a beautiful future, one interaction at a time!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I fell into professional poetry. I always wrote as a child (poems, books, stories, songs) but never saw myself getting paid for it. I went to performing arts school in college, planning to be a professional actress. While I was there, I took a few poetry courses/workshops. I absolutely loved it, but it wasn’t until I started attending a weekly open mic in 2020 that it really dawned on me that I should pursue the art in a serious capacity. I was sharing my experiences on the mic, and people would ask if I had a book they could purchase, or any performances they could attend. A dear friend of mine- Frankie Tan was creative director of the LA Chapter of the Poetry Brothel at the time, and they invited me to audition for the cast. I had never felt so alive! This led to me diving into slam poetry, and writing my first book. I haven’t turned back.

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.
We are in LA, so we absolutely must visit some of the staple communities! We would spend the first part of our time in the Crenshaw area, eating at places that flavor the city. Leimert Park has a myriad of cultural eateries, bookstores, and events like open mics. We would go to Hollywood and Los Feliz, where I lived for 12 years. There are so many lesser known bars, restaurants, and movie theatres to enjoy as well as scenic spots I’ve cherished. OF COURSE we are going to the beach! Way past the more popular beaches, and up to some of the lesser known places. We could visit some of my favorite people in every city, I have friends all across this great, big city!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My closest friends! I have struggled so much in life and they never gave up on me- even when I did. I no longer have a relationship with my father and my mother has passed, but I never feel like I am lacking in family ties. They remind me every day of the progress I’ve made, and the importance of my work. They inspire me because they have all made their dreams come true, and never given up. I wanna be like them when I grow up!

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