mOody bLaCk

mOody bLaCK is a TEDx performer, a National Award-Winning Poet and Host, a Smart Arts Teaching Artist, Motivational Speaker, Spoken-Word and Visual Artist, Actor/Voice Over Artist, Chess Instructor, Story Teller and Comedian from Spartanburg, SC who now resides in Greenville, SC.

mOody is a product of Spartanburg County School District; Spartanburg Technical College;
Spartanburg Community College; and
USC Upstate.

mOody bLaCk is passionate about teaching poetry to youth and adults, as well as, speaking about purpose and challenging depression. Each time mOody is on the stage, he aims to uplift everyone in the audience.

​Highlighted Achievements:

2020 Upstate SC Music Awards- Artist of the Year
2020 Presenter for Summer Online Arts Integration and STEAM Conference
2019 Carrie and Skip Gordon Teaching Artist of the Year Award
2019 South Carolina Underground Music Awards Nominee for Best Male Model and Best Male Entrepreneur
2017 TEDx Greenville Presenter

Other Achievements:

Performed at several elementary, junior and senior high schools, universities, and colleges
Competed in hundreds of poetry slams
Poetry Slam Master and Coach
Poem published in Still Home (Book of Spartanburg Poets)
Featured artist at dozens of festivals
Opened up for multi-platinum recording artists Trey Songz and Lyfe Jennings
TEDx Greenville and TEDx Furman Performer
2011 Pecha Kucha Performer- Greenville SC
2014 & 2016- Champion of the 2nd and 4th Annual Slam Madness Poetry Slam Competition,
2012 and 2018 Grind Flu Magazine Spoken Word Artist of the year
2015 Annual National Poetry Awards- Best Open Mic Host
2015 Annual National Poetry Awards nominee for best Spoken-Word CD (Rebuilding Hope),
2016 GANSPA Awards for Best South Carolina Poet
2017 GANSPA Awards for Best Male Poet in the Nation
2017 ALL DEF Poet
2017 Certified Smart Arts Teacher Trainer through the Metropolitan Arts Council of Greenville, SC
2018 Brand Ambassador for Empire Limited Men's Consignment and Genius is Common
2023 Commencement Speaker for Tri County Technical College

Lighting is important, but mOody bLaCk can perform in any type of environment, as long as it's safe. If it's a small-intimate audience: most times a microphone and sound is not needed. Definitely, for large audiences: a microphone and sound system is required.