Public Speaker | Performer | Art Activist

Read: The Philosophy & Practice of People Not Things

NEW BOOK AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

People Not Things: Love Poems & Paintings for Humanity. Release Date 11-14-2023

Pre-order here.

Genesis Be is a critically acclaimed poet, peace activist and artist from Biloxi, Mississippi. She is the founder of Strive Till I Rise and People Not Things. Her work has been featured in The Associated Press, New York Times, NY Daily News, Soledad O’Brien, and VICE. She often uses theatrical protest during her live performances to bring attention to both global and localized issues surrounding racial justice, peace movement, queer visibility and gender equity. She creates original paintings, poetry and music under her ever growing collection, People Not Things. As a Cultural Ambassador for the Government funded Meridian International Center, Be works to promote understanding and conflict transformation on a Global level. She is the subject of the documentary "Mississippi Turning" (unreleased) and continues the fight to improve race relations in her home state Mississippi.

Artist Statement

"My goal... to bring human dignity to the forefront of our divided World. To advocate for compassion, vulnerability and the burning need for freedom. Every word is born from unapologetic love, permission to be all of me and every painting is a nod to my inner child. With all her simplicity and complexity, I make space for the entire World. I believe in the good of humanity with all my heart though she has broken it many times. Consider this my small contribution, to move the unmovable, to tell the truth through hands clasped over ears, to nudge out what little space I can so that the next lover may thrive. People Not Things forever and ever."

- Genesis Be

“You forfeited your humanity, in order to deny mine”

- Genesis Be (Mississippi The Microcosm of America)