Wole Adedoyin in conversation with Grace Oluwawemimo Olorunleke: My Writing is Usually a Mix of Personal Experiences and Shared Realities

WA: WHAT DREW YOU TO SPOKEN WORD POETRY AS A MEDIUM FOR EXPRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS?
WEMIMO: I’ve always felt deeply about the issues young girls face, especially in societies where their voices are often silenced. Spoken word allows me to speak boldly and emotionally. The performance aspect gives life to the words and makes it harder for people to ignore the pain in them. It felt like the most honest way to express myself and the struggles of others.

WA: HOW DOES PERFORMING YOUR POETRY AMPLIFY ITS MESSAGE COMPARED TO JUST READING IT ON THE PAGE?WEMIMO: There’s something powerful about tone, pauses, facial expressions—even silence. These elements add emotion and urgency to the message. It allows the audience not just to hear, but to feel the weight of what is being said.

WA: WHICH HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES RESONATE MOST DEEPLY WITH YOU, AND HOW DO YOU BRING THEM TO LIFE IN YOUR PERFORMANCES?
WEMIMO: Child marriage, gender inequality, the silencing of girls’ voices, gender-based violence, and violence against women. These hit me the hardest. My poem "Bride Price" was the first time I addressed these issues publicly, using storytelling to help people feel the pain that young girls endure when their dreams are sold off too early.

WA: DO YOU WRITE FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, COLLECTIVE STORIES, OR BOTH WHEN ADDRESSING INJUSTICE IN YOUR WORK?
WEMIMO: I draw from both. Some lines come from stories I’ve seen or heard. Others are born from what I feel when I think of girls like me who are forced to grow up too fast. My writing is usually a blend of personal experiences and shared realities.

WA: CAN YOU RECALL A MOMENT WHEN YOUR PERFORMANCE MOVED AN AUDIENCE TO ACT OR RESPOND MEANINGFULLY?
WEMIMO: The African Human Rights Spoken Word Contest was my first public platform. Being named the second runner-up was not just encouraging—it was a breakthrough. The feedback from the organizers alone gave me hope and the push to keep writing and performing.

WA: HOW DO YOU PREPARE EMOTIONALLY TO PERFORM POEMS THAT DEAL WITH PAIN, TRAUMA, OR OPPRESSION?
WEMIMO: I take time to sit with my emotions. I don’t just rehearse the words—I rehearse the feelings too. I try to embody the pain, imagine the lives behind the lines, and then release it all during the performance. It’s not always easy, but it’s powerful and necessary.

WA: WHAT ROLE DO RHYTHM, VOICE MODULATION, AND BODY LANGUAGE PLAY IN DELIVERING YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS MESSAGES?
WEMIMO: They are everything. I’m intentional with every pause, every whisper, every movement. These elements help deliver urgency and emotion in ways that words alone sometimes can’t.

WA: Have you ever performed in spaces where your poetry was considered controversial or PROVOCATIVE? HOW DID YOU HANDLE IT?
WEMIMO: Not yet. This is still the beginning of my journey. But I know that as I keep speaking up about topics like child marriage and gender inequality, resistance will come. I’m preparing my heart to stay bold and gracious.

WA: DO YOU FEEL SPOKEN WORD HAS MORE URGENCY OR EMOTIONAL IMPACT THAN WRITTEN POETRY WHEN ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS?
WEMIMO: Absolutely. Spoken word is alive. The tension in your voice, your physical presence—it all delivers the message in a way that stays with people long after they leave.

WA: WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM PEOPLE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE ISSUES YOU HIGHLIGHT?
WEMIMO: Since I haven’t shared many of my poems widely yet, I haven’t had direct feedback from affected individuals. But the encouragement from this contest alone shows me that when the message reaches the right ears, it will resonate deeply.

WA: HOW DO YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM TO EDUCATE OR RAISE AWARENESS BEYOND THE STAGE?
WEMIMO: I’m currently working on building that platform. My plan is to start posting my spoken word pieces and reflections on social media to reach more people—especially young women.

WA: ARE THERE PARTICULAR SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS OR ACTIVISTS WHO’VE INSPIRED YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY?WEMIMO: Yes. Hafsat Abdullahi, popularly known as Havfy, has been a big inspiration to me.

WA: HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOU REPRESENT MARGINALIZED VOICES AUTHENTICALLY AND RESPECTFULLY IN YOUR WORK?
WEMIMO: I listen a lot and try not to assume I know everything. I write with empathy, prayer, and a genuine desire to tell the truth without exploiting anyone’s pain.

WA: HAS YOUR SPOKEN WORD POETRY LED TO COLLABORATIONS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS OR MOVEMENTS?
WEMIMO: Not yet, but I truly hope platforms like this interview and the contest will open doors for future collaborations.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN GETTING YOUR WORK SEEN OR HEARD ON LARGER PLATFORMS?WEMIMO: Access to quality recording equipment, visibility, and support are major challenges. I don’t have the resources to produce my work professionally yet, and social media doesn’t always favour young, emerging voices.

WA: HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE WHO SAY ART SHOULD REMAIN APOLITICAL OR NEUTRAL?
WEMIMO: I believe art reflects life—and life is never neutral. Even silence is a form of expression. I choose to use my voice for justice and healing.

WA: DO YOU SEE A GROWING MOVEMENT OF SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS SPOKEN WORD POETS AROUND YOU?
WEMIMO: Yes, absolutely. More young voices are rising, especially women who are done being silenced. It’s beautiful and empowering to witness.

WA: WHAT’S ONE PIECE YOU’VE PERFORMED THAT BEST CAPTURES YOUR MISSION AS A POET AND ACTIVIST?WEMIMO: “Bride Price.” It’s raw, real, and represents the cry of so many girls out there. It captures what I stand for perfectly.

WA: HOW DO YOU KEEP HOPE ALIVE IN YOUR WORK WHEN DEALING WITH HEAVY OR HEARTBREAKING THEMES?WEMIMO: I remind myself that every time I speak, I’m breaking silence—and someone, somewhere, is finding strength in that voice.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO EMERGING SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS WHO WANT TO USE THEIR VOICE FOR JUSTICE?
WEMIMO: Start where you are. Your voice matters. Don’t wait for the perfect platform. Write, speak, share. One line can change a life.

Grace Oluwawemimo Olorunleke is a final-year student of English and Literary Studies at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. Born on July 24, 2003, in Bwari Local Government Area of Abuja, she hails from Ijumu Local Government in Kogi State. A passionate writer, poet, and spoken word artist, Grace is determined to leave a lasting impact on the literary and human rights landscape.She has published her works on respected platforms such as the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja Chapter, The Hope Newspaper in Akure, and Scribe. Her writing explores themes such as hope, gender-based violence, identity, child marriage, and the lived realities of women—subjects drawn from her personal experiences and observations of the world around her.
Grace's voice is powerful and purposeful, driven by a desire to educate, inspire, and uplift through storytelling. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, she opens up about her creative process, activism, and journey as a spoken word poet.