Meet Daquala Hunt, a painter, educator, and poet from Cincinnati, Ohio, who shares with us her unique capability to excite our imagination and emotion. We had the pleasure to know more about about Daquala Hunt, also known as Day La Soul, and "Just Day" for all who meet her in a fun Question and Answer segment:
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Who are you and where are you from?
I am DaQuala Hunt, aka Day La Soul aka âJust Dayâ. I am from Cincinnati, Ohio.
What is your educational background?
I have a BA in Psychology from the University of Toledo, in Toledo, Ohio.
What Inspired you to get into spoken word?
Well Iâve been writing poetry since I was about 10. I shared a piece when I was in high school at an open mic function so that kind of opened me up to the idea of spoken word. However, it wasnât until college that I found the love and appreciation for actually performing poetry. Some members of a poetry group on campus called DEEP were performing during freshman welcome week so I told myself Iâd get involved but I didnât. When my sophomore year came around I decided to give it a try in that organization, after my first time on the mic, I fell in love with performing. I enjoyed the immediate feedback from the audience and seeing their reactions. I also loved that they could experience my words as I felt them.
How long have you been doing spoken word?
Iâve been performing spoken word for only 3 years now.
Any other talents you may have?
I love drawing, I am a decent dancer, I can harmonize and I think Iâd be a dope actress.
May you please provide any experience you have sharing your craft with others?
I served as the VP and President of the poetry organization D.E.E.P at UT. Through that organization Iâve performed at many events on campus such as the AIDS Gala, Domestic Violence Awareness Event, Open Mics held by DEEP and other orgs., performed at USC, also participated in a Talent Show and won 2nd place. Additionally, Iâve most recently performed for a ministry group at a local church, called One Church LA.
Name your most difficult moment up to date.
My most difficult moment up to date was coming to terms that my cousin was dead. My cousin Kim got me really into poetry because she used to write and I wanted to be just like her. When she committed suicide I was 11 years old and I, along with her sister, her sisterâs boyfriend, my aunt and my little sister found her body. It was really difficult to have to articulate that to others since we were so close. It was even more difficult to accept that she was gone.
Name your greatest moment up to date.
My greatest moment would have to be when my family and I threw this surprise birthday party for my grandmotherâs 60th birthday. My grandmother is one of the hardest people to please but we brought her to tears that day. Her joy was my joy and it was very much needed because we had experience so much loss that year. That is one of my most favorite memories.
Any sage wisdom you would like to share to our readers?
Think about what dream you are chasing and ask yourself who it belongs to? Is it your parentâs dream? Your partnerâs dream? Your friendsâ dream? Societyâs dream or expectation? If it doesnât belong to you and youâre chasing it, then who will your dream belong to? Remember that you have purpose, any gifts/talents you possess does not belong to you, it belongs to the world. If you withhold from sharing, then youâre being stingy. Think about that person who inspired you. What if they never shared a piece of themselves? What if they never chased their dreams? Understand that your dream may have millions of people attached to it waiting to be inspired.Â
If you can feel one emotion for the rest of your life what would that emotion be?
WHAT IS UP NEXT FOR DAQUALA HUNT?
With her two infamous poems, "Netflix & Chill" and "Butterflies" Daquala plans to release Voems, (Visual Poems) of the two infamous pieces. In the mean time, we encourage you to read the poetic style of Daquala Hunt here.Â
