Meet Tif Boom | Poet with a Purpose, Author, Youth Educator

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

Hi Tif, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Mindfulness and meditation play an important role in my life. Mindfulness has helped me achieve a level of self-mastery. Knowing myself has made all the difference in my entrepreneurial progress.

Meditation has brought me peace. Peace encourages focus and discipline. Peace led me to my purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Leaving my Corporate America career in the field of Public Relations was a difficult decision. It was hard to believe in myself and my talents enough to sustain my lifestyle.

I am a poet. These days poetry keeps me busy. I write poetry for two reasons.

(1) Spread a positive message

(2) Tell black & brown stories.

I am most excited about teaching high school students how to write poetry.

I work with Guitars Over Guns encouraging students to express themselves  through writing poetry. I enjoy inspiring them. Pushing them creatively. Beyond the poetry it’s about connecting with the students and building trust. Keeping them out of trouble after school when they’re must likely to make bad decisions.

I also very excited about my debut book Safe Word. It is a book of positive poetry and mindfulness exercises. Summer 2021 I partnered with FIU and College Impact to teach a Mindfulness and Mediation class based on my book.

Additionally I teach inner city youth and adults how to meditate, be present and protect there mental health. My 2022 goal is to teach 50,000 people how to meditate.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If my best friend is town I would have to bring them to a fe of my favorite spots.

1. Alchemist Coffee Shop for brunch for a chill vibe or Victory Miami for a lively atmosphere.
2. Historic Hampton House for a lesson in Miami’s black history. See the room MLK Jr and Muhammad Ali use to stay in while visiting the city during the Civil Rights Movement.
3. Red Rooster for dinner and fun in Overton (hip hop night, good food and DJ)
4. We’re definitely hitting Brick in Wynwood for the Afro beats5 day party on Saturday.
5. Coyo Taco for bomb tacos and a dancehall reggae night in the secret back room.
6. Miami Shores to see a view of the whole city from the bay
7. Hollywood Beach for sun and relaxation

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Shoutout to Guitars Over Guns. This nonprofit organization saw value in my art and welcomed me into their after school program to positively impact high school students with my poetry.

College Impact commended me on the work I was doing with inner-city youth with Guitars Over Guns and saw potential in my book Safe Word, a book of poetic life hacks for better focus. College Impact gave me the opportunity to work with FIU and teach students mindfulness and mediation classes.

Shoutout to Kanye West, Jay Z & J.Ivy  for creating the song “Never Let Me Down.” When I first heard this song back in 2006, it was the first time I heard spoken word poetry on something so mainstream. Hearing J.Ivy recite his poem over the beat gave me hope that I could make a living/career out of poetry.

Shoutout Mark Batterson for writing the book “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day”. This book taught to me to chase big dreams and face your fears head on.

Website: www.tifboom.com

Instagram: @tiftif_boom

Twitter: @tiftif_boom

Youtube: Tif Tif Boom