Jonathan Samuel Eddie
Writer
Spoken word ARTIST
comedian
Actor
Director
Teaching artist
Speaker
Playwright
Jonathan
Samuel
Eddie
Jonathan Samuel Eddie is a fourth generation educator with a passion for youth empowerment, creative expression, and community building. He credits his late mother and long-time educator, Carmen V.W. Perkins, for encouraging him to use his gift of writing and performance to inspire young people. This teaching artist, spoken word comedian, actor, activist, and playwright is a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Jonathan has competed with his unique brand of comedic poetry nationally and regionally, ranking among the top poets in the world. Jonathan travels the nation, offering K - 12 students insight and tools on using creativity as a means for emotional health, personal growth, and professional prosperity.
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His poems, drawing inspiration from black pop culture and lived experience, have been featured on Write About Now, The Root, and All Def Poetry. Jonathan was also a 2018 runner-up in The Missouri Review's Miller Audio Prize for Humor. He was a 2018 recipient of The Columbus & The Valley Magazine's "5 under 40" award. Jonathan was also included on Georgia Trend Magazine's 2020 "40 under 40" listing, recognizing his community efforts. He is a 2022 Apollo Stories Fellow with the Legendary Apollo Theatre, where he is building curricula and lesson plans to help facilitate national, youth-led conversations about some of the most critical social issues of our time.
As an actor, he has graced stages in productions such as the world premiere of ACE: The Eugene Bullard Story, Look Forward: The Ruby Bridges Story, and Blues For An Alabama Sky, to name a few. He portrays Crispus Attucks in an interactive video display at the African American Military History Museum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. As a director, Jonathan has overseen numerous productions, including three of his original works to stage, STIMULUS, Blues For Mama, and WORDS through his company, Yellow Mojo Productions. He has opened up for the likes of comedians such as Bruce Bruce and Earthquake, and was a featured stand up comic at the 2014 Black Box Comedy Festival in Atlanta, GA. His poetry has been featured on the digital platforms of Write About Now and All Def Poetry. He most recently was a featured performer on "The Golden Mic" hosted by Sunni Patterson on The Congo Television Network.
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Jonathan was recognized with the 2022 Leadership Award by the Georgia After School & Youth Development Conference for exemplifying excellence in the field of expanded learning. He is the founder/director of the Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam, Inc. Through the art of spoken word, he’s been blessed to witness hundreds of young people harness the power of their voices for over fifteen years. My philosophy of teaching is anchored by a personal goal to be a lifelong learner, consistently improving and evolving, while also being a listener, and leading as a role model in and out of the classroom. Language is an enthralling and malleable asset that fosters a sense of confidence and capacity.
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He currently serves as the founder/director of the Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam, an organization that inspires youth to use their creativity as a positive outlet in their daily lives. From his work as a wellness instructor with the Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court and Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center,he has also designed an effective and fun-filled curriculum that teaches students life skills through creative writing. Students have experienced the benefits of this auxiliary arts education in their intellectual, personal, and social development. Through weekly workshops, poetry slams, national/regional/local performance opportunities, and community service, he’s blessed to watch the future take shape one word at a time.
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Media/Publicity Links:
Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam celebrates 10 years
How an Indie Theatre Scene Took Root in Columbus, Ga.
Mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s inspires poet’s work
Spokenheard Interview w/ Susan Dobbes Chase
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Performance Links:
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