Today we’d like to introduce you to Shasparay.
Hi Shasparay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in and around Austin, Texas. At an early age, I started performing and competing in poetry slams when I was in middle school. The first time I competed in a slam, I was terrified. Arms tucked, sweaty, with my poem vibrating in my hands. I told my story to a room full of strangers, crying. I didn’t perform well, getting a number of bad scores, and even a sympathetic 10 ( the highest score you can receive in a slam), but none of that mattered. I had told my truth for the first time. I “got free”, and then I got good. I traveled for poetry competitions, got a poetry book deal, and my poetry landed me a full tuition scholarship out of state, at UW Madison. I have been a finalist in every national poetry competition I have entered. While in undergrad, I brought poets and artists from all over to the cold for a poetry slam and arts festival called the Black Arts Matter Festival. I have since returned from Wisconsin with a Master of Arts in Business Administration, 4 festivals produced, and an acclaimed one-woman show. I have worked for several arts organizations, non-profits, and businesses, all while touring my show BODY POLITICS, and continuing to take jobs as a poet, actor, and performer. My competitive nature has found a different stage, or court, if you will, as I have played dodgeball in a league for 4 plus seasons and even captained an all-Black and queer dodgeball team in 2025. I am constantly seeking to create space for joy to the benefit of not only myself but also the intersectional communities to which I belong. I invite your audiences to follow me on instagram @shasparayspeaks to look out for events I produce or to see where I will be performing next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I believe I am the person I am because of the challenges I faced when I was younger. Who would I be without the trauma? Certainly not someone who could write and publicly share about my experiences with sexual violence, racism, fatphobia, and many other woes for audiences with resonating pain and experiences. I know that speaking about these things with the platforms I have been given has helped so many understand that they aren’t alone, especially when so many are told to bury their truth.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do a lot of contractor work as an artist, coordinator, and arts administrator. In too many roles, I have experienced misogynoir and ableism, so I am aiming for mission and value alignment while I search for a full-time role. My dream job is one where my identities are respected, and my drive and expertise are valued. I am very privileged to have diverse work opportunities as an artist and contractor while searching for employment that truly fulfills me.
I am very proud of creating and actualizing the Black Arts Matter Festival while I was in undergrad. I have given over 100 Black artists paid opportunities to perform. I hope to bring BAM Fest or a similar festival to Austin, my hometown.
What were you like growing up?
I was a bookworm. I stayed at the library with a nose in a book. I loved escaping to the worlds that fiction authors built. I was quite known for being quiet, until people hear how I transform on a stage. I am still like this. I thrive in quiet environments and often need to decompress when I get home from performing and making a lot of noise myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shasparay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shasparayspeaks/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shasparayspeaks
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shasparay/
