Hi, I’m Andrea Augustus, the creator of Poetic Black Gurl LLC
, an educational consultancy dedicated to partnering with schools and organizations to develop innovative, holistic wellness initiatives.
I often joke that I entered the field of education through a non-traditional route since the usual entry was closed off to me.
From my early school days through to high school, I consistently excelled and received high grades. However, college was a different experience altogether; it felt like the education system dealt me a harsh blow. I enrolled in a PWI (Predominantly White Institution) during the shift from the Obama to the Trump presidency. Many of my classmates and educators leaned towards a conservative viewpoint, leaving students of color with few outlets to navigate the emotional toll of the situation. My environment shifted dramatically. Having come from a lively, diverse public high school in SoHo, Manhattan, I suddenly found myself in a setting where I felt overlooked and unimportant.
There was a lack of environments to grapple with the complexities of being Black, a first-generation student, and away from home. I didn’t have any professors of color or access to culturally relevant mental health support.
Like countless other students of color, I faced my struggles silently, and ultimately, I decided to drop out.
Back in New York, I found myself taking on long shifts as a waitress. Exhausted by the end of the day, with my clothes infused with the scent of fried food, I questioned whether this was all life had to offer.
In response, I began to write poetry—not for class assignments or performance, but simply as a means of processing my emotions.
Poetry became my remedy and, over time, it also served as my reflection.
Performing at local open mic events soon connected me with a vibrant community of artists who utilized movement, sound, and storytelling for healing. I found my own healing within this group. The inspiration led me back to education, where I pursued studies in art therapy. I sought the vocabulary, training, and resources needed to empower others to navigate their pain through creative expression.
While I was engaging in my studies, I established Poetic Black Gurl, a wellness initiative rooted in cultural relevance and introspection. What began as small grassroots workshops evolved into a business model that recognized art as not only a healing tool but also a powerful means for long-term impact.
I began designing my programs in ways that schools could effectively incorporate. Vision boarding sessions transformed into comprehensive school-wide SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) initiatives. I was creating supportive spaces and wellness mechanisms.
As I started building, I discovered a crucial insight: artists need proper infrastructure. We became an authorized vendor for the NYC Department of Education, achieving certification as a Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise. I studied city contracts, RFPs, and procurement guidelines as diligently as I once studied poetry, and this hard work bore fruit.
That’s when everything escalated. We progressed from conducting single events to forming multi-location collaborations. From personal passion to public engagements. From a hobby to a structured approach.
It’s easy to idealize the entrepreneurial journey, especially for creatives, yet the reality is far more demanding. True magic lies in the systems you construct that support your creative endeavors. I aimed to do more than just establish a brand; I aspired to create processes that could serve as a model for other educators, artists, and community organizers.
Currently, Poetic Black Gurl LLC is in a phase of expansion. We have been collaborating with various schools for years, nurturing trust and making an impactful difference over time. We have engaged local teaching artists to lead our programs while staying true to our core values.
Each workshop serves as a reminder that healing doesn’t have to adhere to clinical or sterile norms. Healing can be as vibrant, artistic, and imaginative as one desires.
I have come to understand that consistency is vital. Regularly showing up for the community you serve is essential. Come with fear, come prepared, come with passion, and most importantly, come consistently.
Now, I engage with principals, superintendents, and non-profit leaders with the same self-assurance that I once brought to the performance stage. I have realized how impactful our voices and our narratives can be.
Poetry opened the door for me to heal myself while also aiding others in their journeys.
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that creative entrepreneurship doesn’t necessitate severing ties with your heritage. It’s about deepening those connections, sharing them, and constructing a legacy from them. Fully embrace your identity.
For anyone out there questioning whether your art can sustain you, evolve with you, and establish space in this world, consider this your moment of affirmation.
Pursue your passions, and the universe will reward you for your courage.
Photo Credits
Images by Andrea Augustus – All Rights Reserved
About the Guest Author
Andrea Augustus
Andrea Augustus is a writer and educator, and the visionary behind Poetic Black Gurl LLC, an organization focused on wellness and education, emphasizing storytelling, joy, and culturally relevant care. Through creativity and advocacy, she cultivates environments where students, families, and communities can heal, reflect, and thrive.
Blog / Website: Poetic Black Gurl
Site maintained by Synaptic Systems Inc.