The Allstate Pillars & Poetry Tour has been absolutely AMAZING!! Allstate has provided a beautiful platform for these HBCU students to highlight their stories about their Pillars of Strength - those people in their lives who have lifted them up, encouraged them, and pushed them to be their best selves. It’s been an honor to be the host. I’m looking forward to the next stop at Florida A&M!! LET’S GO!!!
Much Love The Undefeated!!
Thanks for the LOVE!! The Undefeated - ESPN!! CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
Morehouse & Spelman!!
Much Love Tuskegee University
Pillars & Poetry Tour
What up Good People!! I’m visiting 4 HBCU schools (Tuskegee University, Morehouse, Spelman and FAMU) to kick off the first ever Allstate Pillars & Poetry tour! There’s gonna be music, stepping, and celebrating as students get a platform to lift their voice and lift up those who matter to them – their Pillars of Strength. Become a part of the tour at www.pillarsandpoetry.com and get a chance to join me on stage. Can’t wait to see you there – J. Ivy
Raise Your Vibration
I'm excited to announce that my new album is complete, but before diving in I wanted to share another visual from my album, "My Daddy's Records: Songs from the book Dear Father." "Raise Your Vibration," which features Yaw and the support of Tarrey Torae on vocals, Marshall Knights on production, Ferrer White on sax, Chris Paquette on percussion, Mike Gallagher on guitar, Chris Rob on keys and the dancing of Queen Simone and Taye Walker, is a rally call to tap into those things in life that will positively effect change in our lives. In this age and time it is so important that we remind ourselves to be conscious of our ability to do more, IF we are vibrating on a higher level. Much Love Good People!! Together let's raise our vibration!! Directed by: J. Ivy & Marco Simmons. Filmed by: Marco Simmons & J. Ivy. Edited by: Hana Mitchell.
Rolling Out Magazine x The Compound
When the elements come together they form a Compound...much love Rolling Out Magazine, The Hiplet Ballerinas, and the Chicago Bucket Boys!! Great rocking with y'all!!
This Heart of Art
I'm SUPER PROUD to be the Resident Poet of the Ernie Barnes Foundation!! For the opening exhibition of The North Carolina Roots of Ernie Barnes, which took place at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, NC, I had the honor of performing, "This Heart of Art." Here is a piece of the performance. Much Love!!
Dear Father Excerpt
Here J. Ivy performs an excerpt from his audio book "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain." Keys by: Chris Rob.
&More x J. Ivy x NPR
It's truly an HONOR to pay homage to our mothers, matriarchs, our ancestors... Much Love to NPR for premiering the video. Click here for the article. And be sure to click like and share...
@nprmusic just debuted the official video for, “My Own Light” by @weareandmore (@ChillMoody & @dtonevic ) ft three time HBO Def poet and Grammy Award-winner J. Ivy (@j_ivy) with production by @jacqconmusic & @jmotone
Special thanks to @jacqui7917 for embodying (and just plain bodying) the role of Ethel Bobcat
#WeAreAndMore
Directed by @amlemle
Produced by Panavista Inc.
The Boy Illinois x J. Ivy x PTSD
I'm proud to be a part of this important message and must needed discussion. PTSD, or in this case, Post Traumatic Slave Disorder, has caused countless cases of depression in our homes and communities. It's an illness that has plagued us for generations. The Boy Illinois wanted to bring light to this topic, bring awareness and healing to our neighborhoods by bringing this issue to the forefront. It was an honor to lend my voice to something I've dealt with myself in the past. Check it out and be sure to share it with your networks. Let the healing begin... Much Love!!
J. Ivy x TIDAL x National Poetry Month
In honor of National Poetry Month I teamed up with TIDAL to drop a playlist of songs I love to vibe to when creating. Click here for the playlist: J. Ivy - Songs I Write To. Also featured on TIDAL is my poem, "Raise Your Vibration. Click here to read. Much Love!
History Channel's Mountaintop Moments
Truly an HONOR to have the opportunity to pay homage to the GREAT #DrMartinLutherKingJr. Now more than ever his walk and his words are the roadmap to our victory and freedom. “I see...” Thank you to the History Channel for having me be a part of this reflection and dedication. #repost @history #MountaintopMoments #MLK #MLK50
Loyola Chicago x Nike x J. Ivy
Congratulations to the Loyola Chicago Ramblers on an amazing season and for inspiring the nation. Here is a piece by Nike and J. Ivy showing appreciation for their fight, dedication, and heart.
The Oscars x AARP x J. Ivy
After the success of the first AARP ad, The Rules of Aging are Changing, which aired during programs like This Is Us, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, the NBA All-Star pregame, ESPN's Sportscenter, March Madness, and The Oscars, AARP has rolled out the second ad featuring J. Ivy titled, Take on Today. IF you happen to have missed it, check it out here.
Another Day
"God Blessed me with Another Day!" In celebration of my birthday, 3.03, I'm releasing the first single off my upcoming album. I'm super excited about the album and I'm really looking forward to sharing it with y'all, but in the meantime, download the track HERE on iTunes and have a BEAUTIFUL day!! Pisces in the House!! #303 #AnotherDay
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
This was a very special day! As a part of a speaker series sponsored by Washington Wizard's young star Kelly Oubre Jr., I was invited out to be a guest speaker at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. The campus alone was a site to behold. I couldn't believe the state of the art architecture and sophisticated technology that graced every hallway and turn in the building. Truly breathtaking, truly the perfect environment for education and creativity.
The theater where I would perform was packed with young men from the school and I was set to speak to them about my book, "Dear Father," and the power of forgiveness. It's always a blessing to have the opportunity to share my gift, but this day was extra special because Kelly Oubre Jr. and his father Kelly Oubre Sr. participated with Dear Father Letters, by not only sponsoring the event, but by writing letters to one another and sharing them with the audience. It was a powerful moment and very inspiring. And based on comments and questions from students in the crowd, I know that lives were changed on that day.
A special thanks goes out to the Oubre's, Principal Sandi Logan, Brittany Roberston, to Tia Powell Harris for the introduction to this special place, and to all the young men and ladies that came out, listened, shared their stories, their thoughts, and their art. If any of you are in the area, and are looking somewhere to devote some of your energy and resources, be sure to knock on their door. Much Love Duke Ellington! See you all soon.. J. Ivy
SHINE your LIGHT
Poem by: J. Ivy Photo by: Darran Tiernan
Dear Black Athlete Promo ft. J. Ivy
The Undefeated, ESPN’s content initiative exploring the intersections of sports, race and culture, will present Dear Black Athlete, a collection of conversations with African American athletes, and civic and community leaders, on Sunday, February 11, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The one-hour program, hosted by SportsCenter anchor Cari Champion, was taped in front of a live audience at the historic Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. – the birthplace of the civil rights movement.
The speakers:
- Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
- Anquan Boldin, retired NFL wide receiver
- James Harris, first African American to start at quarterback in the NFL (Buffalo, 1971)
- Jemele Hill, ESPN/The Undefeated writer/columnist
- Chiney Ogwumike, WNBA No. 1 Draft Pick in 2014
- Jason Reid, The Undefeated senior NFL writer
- A. C. Roper, current Birmingham, Ala., police chief
- Benjamin Watson, Baltimore Ravens tight end
- David Williams, Athletic Director, Vanderbilt University
The telecast will feature four primary segments – all focusing on the athletes and community leaders discussing the leadership role athletes play in the society, social justice and more.
Happy Anniversary College Dropout
#HappyAnniversary to #KanyeWest’s #CollegeDropout #album!! So PROUD to be a part of this #CLASSIC work of art that filled a huge void in music, #HipHop, and culture. It was a true honor to share my gift with these amazing talents...Ye, #JayZ, John Legend, Tarrey Torae, and Tracie Spencer!! Cheers to another year of inspiration. Much Love! #poet #poetry #history #tripleplatinum #8millioncopiesworldwide #grammy #bestrapalbum #2004 2.10.04 #BlackHistoryMonth #everydayisblackhistory