As a spoken word artist, Jae does poem commissions for brands, voice-over work, commercials, workshops, and readings.
Louisiana-born and Portland-based writer Jae Nichelle is the author of the poetry collection God Themselves (Andrews McMeel, 2023) and the chapbook The Porch (As Sanctuary) (YesYes Books, 2019). Jae began competing in poetry slams at 15 years old, becoming one of the inaugural winners of Youth Speaks' national "Raise Up" competition at 17. Her poetry has appeared in The Offing, Muzzle Magazine, The Washington Square Review, and elsewhere. In 2021, Jae became the first winner of the John Lewis Writing Award in poetry from the Georgia Writers Association and in 2023, she was a finalist for the Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship. Always an informal student, Jae has completed residencies and workshops through The Watering Hole, Hurston/Wright, and The Carolyn Moore Writer’s House.
A powerful performer, Jae’s spoken word has been featured on Write About Now and Button Poetry. Her viral piece about anxiety titled "Friends With Benefits" has amassed millions of views online and counting, resulting in her being solicited for media campaigns by Pfizer, Yahoo, and Natalist. In the film sector, Jae’s screenplays have been finalists in Slamdance and the Atlanta Screenplay Competition. In 2024, she received a grant from Catalyst Film Collective to produce her short film breaking, broken.
Jae has a passion for language, linguistics, and mental health, and she has published articles in AFROPUNK, An Injustice, and Black Youth Project on these subjects. When she’s not writing, you can find her cuddling with her cat and hopping between random hobbies like embroidery, latte art, and boxing.
Press/ Recognition
“101 Black Women Poets in Mainly White and Mainly Black Rooms” in The LA Review of Books
“Black poet, author raises her voice at WSU Vancouver workshop” in The Columbian
“Meet Jae Nichelle” in Voyage Houston
“A Conversation with Jae Nichelle” in The LA Review of Books
Jae Nichelle on the The Poetry Question Podcast
“Ends with a Smile,” an Interview with Jae Nichelle in Superstition Review
“Jesus Saves” featured on The Slowdown Podcast
“We don’t often think of poetry as handiwork, in the most literal sense, yet it is. Jae Nichelle’s art illustrates how powerful this handiwork can be. ”
Socials
photo: Christopher Diaz Photography
Bluesky: @CropTopAssassin.bsky
Instagram: @CropTopAssassin
Facebook: facebook.com/jaenichelleLLC
Booking and Inquiry email: jaenichelle@gmail(.)com