Meet Bleek Blakely | CEO of Poetic City

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bleek Blakely and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bleek, what do you attribute your success to?
The driving force behind my work ethic, passion, ambition, and brand is love. Rather the motivation is from my kids, friends, family, or community each person who believes in is helping boosts my brand “Poetic City” to higher heights. I love what I do so much I feel like I do it for free sometimes, if that makes sense. I was blessed with the right pieces of the puzzle to make my brand become a whole body. I’ve recruited over 25 artist all on the strength of love and encouragement. In Poetic City our members carry a loving heart for one another and the brand itself. The levels of empowerment within our organization is through the roof! A group full of Bosses collaborating and building an empire. Honestly so many hearts have touch Poetic City now that the brand is bigger than myself or any of the members. Knowing Poetic City will be the bat symbol for communities to hold onto inspiration within our cities limits. The brand is successful because our brand isn’t worshiping the God’s of money, fame, and entitlement, we are worshiping the grind and willingness to push our self beyond all doubts. When you learn to understand the “grind and will” you can relate to what sacrifices you have to make sometimes to grow into something more than just yourself. Poetic City is a voice for the people of understands that mentality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Poetry has saved my life, giving me the ability to express myself like never before. It opened so many doors besides just words on a paper. I’m blessed to be talented enough to travel the U.S sharing my poetry with others. Poetry developed me into an author, actor, CEO, teaching artist, director, and so much more. What makes me different from others I believe is my acceptance of what other artists chose to invest their gifts into, and finding a way to mesh it all together. Providing venues, platforms, and audiences with an artistic variety to choose from for their entertainment. What I love the most about my version of art is it create and gives off positive vibes so loud you can’t ignore them. You can literally walk into our events for the first time, and feel like you been apart of the family for years now. I got where I’m at professionally today by working hard seriously. Like Kobe Bryant being at the gym 4am when practice doesn’t start until 10am. I always been a work horse checking checkmark after next. If I let up on the small things like networking, paperwork, perfecting the craft, or building my brand up. That means another brand in my same field of expertise is trying to catch up or surpass me and I’m toooo COMPETITVE to let that happen. Nothing about the grind is ever easy, but I overcame a lot by staying true to who I am and having the right support behind me. Sometimes gaining the right support can mean you have to change your circles, way you live, or old habits/addictions. Don’t be afraid or hesitate to do so, it just means your out growing seasonal things. Embrace that!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday: Monday visit the Hubbly Bubbly for “The Pop Off!” an poetry event by Belle Publishing at 9pm Tuesaday: “The Wave” at Oceans & Sharkbar hosted by Poetic City. An open mic for poets, music artist, comedians, and dancers. Also serves some amazing food inside, and sign up for the open mic start at 8pm. Wed: During the day we got to go by Not Cho Cheesecake, and taste a little piece of heaven in those deserts. Thur: Live music at Ice Event Center with Glenjamin Tha Great at 8pm. Fri: Hawaiian Dons grabbing a fishbowl to get the weekend started. Sat: Kongs Bar & Grill around 11pm will have you dancing and sipping til the next day. Sun: Run it back to Oceans & Sharkbar at 8pm for “Sing Along Sundays”. An awesome event where we have a featured singer and and the crowds sings the hooks and choirs to the features favorite songs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Aline Holden and Alton Blakely. (Mom and Dad) Sam Holden (Step dad) Sir Prince Blakely(My son) KT III Productions (Member of Poetic City) He been with me the longest. Sharita Renee (My Vice President of Poetic City) MAC Woods (Member of Poetic City) Belle Publishing LLC (Members of Poetic City) Donut The Legend (Member of Poetic City) Juss Fresh (Member of Poetic City) Tad Nips (Member of Poetic City) Queen Ella (Poetic City) DJ Chief Tr3 (Poetic City) Sunee Rice (Poetic City) Sam Cooper (Poetic City) Teamworksmedialo (Poetic City) Tyrae Threats (Poetic City) Muskogee Soul Searchers (Poetic City) Mid South Dominata’z (Poetic City) D.Ross (Poetic City) Lewie P (Poetic City) Arianna Mone (Poetic City) Cristina Rivera (Poetic City) Detra Bruner (Poetic City) Moneek Howell (Poetic City) Nylainah Brewer (Poetic City) Omari Williams (Poetic city) Relo Barry (Poetic City) Robert Polk (Poetic City) Juice (Poetic City) Tachana Cole (Poetic City) TNise (Poetic City) Sevonta (Poetic City) Trice (Poetic City) E.T (Poetic City) Pretty Well (Poetic City) Danea Smith (Poetic City) Jonathan Warren (Poetic City) Mike Guinn (My Mentor) Miss Vee (singer) Mastarpeace (Poet) Popeye (Motivational Speaker) Teon Watson (Venue owner) Antroyd Naff, Tony Brown, Frank King, Dal Farrow, Keyun Simon, Raydon Brown, Brandon Carter, Vonnie Briskby, and Ashton Kirksey (My best friends)

Website: https://www.facebook.com/CEOBLEEKBLAKELY

Instagram: Poetic.city

Twitter: Poetic City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poeticcity

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/PoeticCity

Other: https://www.arts.ok.gov/Curriculum/Poetic_City.html

Image Credits
Rice Photography