Artist Spotlight: Jaz Sufi

“Poetry doesn’t have to be boring on the page. Poetry can be living and present on the stage.” -Jaz Sufi

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At seventeen years old, Jaz began her career in the poetry scene through discovering slam poetry for the first time at the Berkeley Poetry Slam. Much like others that attended public school, she originally viewed poetry as inaccessible and boring until she witnessed the power it could possess. What truly captivated her was the addressing of urgent and real-world issues that have plagued the world, along with the freedom to put yourself forward despite stance, race, gender, and view.

From making finals in the 2015 National Poetry Slam, to touring across the U.S., to participation in Bay Area Creative Battle of the Beaches, Jaz finds herself fully immersed in her craft and is thankful for every opportunity in which she can put herself out there through her art. 

Of all her accomplishments and experiences, her biggest inspiration in the classroom is her students. Jaz believes poetry is the ideal vehicle for people to express themselves, being as open and authentic as they can be. With her students, Jaz is incredibly encouraging with the desire to inspire them to write what they want to write. 

“What matters is just knowing that when I leave for the last time, at least a few kids are gonna be interested in poetry in a way that they weren’t before.”

Jaz strives to provide a secure and inviting environment for expressing thoughts and feelings on what matters most to them. She understands that everyone has an opinion, though often most will not share it because of the thought and belief that their opinion is not shared by others. She encourages them to put their imaginations to work and bring their thoughts to life. Poetry is not one note; it is multi-dimensional, but for that to happen, you must be willing to put yourself into your work and your work out there.

“Open yourself up and try writing one thing today.”

Jaz’s career has come full circle as the Berkeley Poetry Slam that first ignited her love of poetry is one of the Bay Area Creative programs she works with today. From a skeptic to San Ramon's Poet Laureate, Jaz believes poetry has something for everyone and that anyone can find their niche in the poetry world.