Educator and poet Janae J describes herself as a spiritual being having a human experience. Janae works as a first grade teacher in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Twentysomethings, her debut poetry collection captures the raw and ever-changing emotions experienced by young adults who are navigating first heartbreaks, self-doubt, and figuring how to show up in the world.
Why did you write Twentysomethings? What were you going through that inspired the more emotional work in the book?
I’ve always felt shy about my feelings. I thought being vulnerable was a weakness so I took to writing my emotions in the way that felt the most organic to me; poetry. Writing allowed me to release while still appearing strong on the outside. My twenties felt like a rollercoaster, building friendships, falling in and out of love, and facing myself in her totality; the good, the bad and the not so pretty. I think the path leading me to pull these things into a collection was my move to Abu Dhabi. Here in the United Arab Emirates, I found myself alone but not lonely. I was able and still am able to utilize the lessons I learned in therapy. I guess you can say TwentySomethings is the final project of the lessons I learned in that part of the school of life.
With the upcoming release of your debut Twentysomethings you are joining the “instapoet” community? How do you feel about that? How important is social media to your sharing your art with the world?
Instapoet is such a new term for me. I grew up reading Shakespeare, Emily Dickenson, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou in books. In those books is where I found my voice. Now, we have social media. Information and art spreads in a different and more efficient way. I think social media allows art to reach new parts of the world. Yes, paper books are beautiful and have their place in time but things are evolving. Creatives have the ability to reach a wider spectrum of people. I’m appreciative. I’ve reached people from Italy to Brazil because of Instagram.
Why did you choose to launch your work independently under your own brand SheaButter Publishing. Why did you go this route?
I believe we are in the second wave of the Black Renaissance. There is no time better than now for young black entrepreneurs to make a mark. The American system was never built for African Americans. However, it is built for the entrepreneur. The only way for our community to excel is if we start making wealth for ourselves by our own means and terms. I grew up watching my mother work at jobs she didn’t care for. I watched my father quit his profitable job to build his own company. It’s those moments that made me want to be my own boss and build generational wealth. I know in life you either work to create your own dream or you work to help someone build theirs. I’m not a worker bee. I am a queen bee in every sense of the term.
Who are some of the poets you enjoy reading?
I don’t read too many current poets. I do enjoy Rupi Kaur’s collection. I find myself still lingering in the verses I grew up on. Poets such as Nikki Giovanni, Paul Laurance Dunbar, James Baldwin, and Countee Cullen. These are the voices that play in the rhythm of my poetry.
You are an educator from North Carolina currently working in Abu Dhabi. A world traveler. When the global pandemic is resolved, where would you like to travel and perform some of the work from Twentysomethings?
Honestly, I just want to go home. I’ve been told the people closest to you won’t be able to see your genius so you will have to leave your home to be appreciated. I’ve done that and now I’m ready to go home to share my art. After I spend some time in North Carolina, I would love to go back to Paris. The city of love is the perfect place for me to share my expression of love.
What do you want those who are new to your poetry to know about you and your creative work?
My poetry is a feeling. It sends you to places you’ve been to before or want to go. Everything I write comes from experience or observation. My poetry is a secret hidden place for those seeking shelter.
