Spotlight On: La Shaun phoenix Moore

Encore Staff Writer
May 12
3 min read

La Shaun phoenix Moore (she/her/hers) is a multifaceted artist; a vocalist, spoken word poet, and activist, who strives to use her art to build a more equitable future.

How did you get started in the arts?

I ran into Cafe Mahogany in the late 90s to a poetry night hosted by Joel Fluent Greene and I was hooked on spoken word poetry ever since! I have had the wonderful opportunity to share stages with many national and local acts including The Last Poets, Saul Williams, Jamaal May, Franny Choi, Nandi Comer, Tommye Blount, Jassmine Parks, Ajanae Dawkins, Brittany Rogers and Natasha T. Miller. I was the five-year host of the ByteThis Poetry Series. I also sat on the Executive Council for Poetry Slam, Incorporated and served as the Event Coordinator of the national poetry slam events Women of the World Poetry Slam and Individual World Poetry Slam. I am the coach of the Youth Performance Troupe for InsideOut Literary Arts and I curate poetry and music events in partnership with The Wright Museum, endprejudice.org, and in collaboration with Steven D. Thomas at Michigan State University. I am the recipient of multiple Creators of Culture Awards by CultureSource and am one of the standards for excellence in artistic curation in Detroit.

If you could direct/produce one show, what would it be, and why?

A secret dream show I'd like to curate would be with Big Sean along with the best and brightest Detroit youth and adult poets. Big Sean is a poet, humanitarian, culture creator, legacy builder and genius. Letting hip hop and spoken word (which are close sisters) be in conversation with each other on a grand stage would be a fire show! I've never said this dream outloud to anyone. Maybe he'll see this article and give me a call!!

If you could play one character in all of theatre or film, who would it be and why?

I would play the Woman King, and it would be because I am the woman king in real life for my city.

Name two artistic role models and why you look up to them.

My first artistic role model is Joel Fluent Greene. He was my first introduction into the Detroit poetry and arts scene and I have never been the same. From speaking truth to power, providing a space for crazed artists to get their art out to the public, and being a key component in me leaving an abusive relationship - Joel is one of the heartbeats of art in Detroit. He is a brilliant host, intuitive curator, and a man who amplifies art in the Detroit community. I'm very grateful to him.

My second artistic role model is Detroit vocalist, Angela Davis. Angela is more than just a beautiful vocalist, she is a beautiful human inside and out who embodies community, grace, artistic brilliance, mentorship and general kindness. Her mentorship and leadership have been pivotal in my work as a vocalist and the way she shows up in the artistic community ready to work has been deeply influential. Needless to say, I am a fan of Detroit artists.

What did you want to be when you were a child? Are you fulfilling that dream?

I wanted to be an archeologist. I am not fulfilling that dream directly, but indirectly I am excavating the stories of my people and their rich history and providing them a stage to keep those stories alive and relevant to the generations to come.

What is your artistic guilty pleasure?

Magic shows! I'm obsessed with a very cool magician named Jasen Magic. I never ask the magicians to revel their secrets either. I don't want to know the behind-the-scenes mechanics. I just want to keep believing that their magic (and our internal magic) is very real.

What role/show/experience on your resume is most memorable and why?

My most important work on my resume is my work with InsideOut Literary Arts in Detroit. Flicking on the light switch for emerging youth artists is a part of my legacy work. The young voices of today are the world changers of tomorrow. Our lives depend on supporting, cultivating, enriching and HEARING the thoughts and opinions of the younger generation. It's how I keep from looking like I'm almost 50 also!