Truth B. Told (born Christopher Owens) is a Phoenix-based spoken word artist, multiple slam champion, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of professional stage experience. A brain surgery survivor, he now speaks at the intersection of neuroplasticity, creative entrepreneurship, and reinvention — drawing on lived experience and the science of how the brain rewires itself after crisis. He has performed for thousands at Barclays Center, Alvin Ailey Theater, and Ford Theater, and has delivered corporate keynotes for companies including Ideas Collide. He is the founder of CultureHUB, Arizona's first Black-owned co-working space, and is completing an MFA in Creative Writing at Wilkes University.
1 review
Jodi L.
December 11, 2023Wow! We can't say enough good things about Truth B. Told, his message, delivery, warmth and professionalism. Our organization, Reproductive Freedom for All- its one of those that attracts passionate activists from all walks of life. They are mission-driven and extremely loyal. When we decided to change our name- whew! It felt like a risk, so we knew we had to get our "ReBranding Celebration" just right. Truth helped us nail it. Our members and stakeholders could feel the authenticity of TBT's message and they were bowled over by his humor and charismatic delivery. Wow indeed. Great job for a "rebranding" performance that was right "on-brand!"
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
Price range: $5,000-$10,000
Languages: English
Gig length: 20 - 60 minutes
Unions: Freelancers Union
Expect an interactive, captivating, high-level poetry performance from an individuals with 20+ years of hosting and performing skills!
Chris Owens — known on stages across the country as Truth B. Told — is a Phoenix-based spoken word artist, slam champion, entrepreneur, and brain surgery survivor whose career has become living proof of the principles he now teaches.
A 20-year veteran of stages ranging from Barclays Center in Brooklyn to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Manhattan to Ford Theater in Los Angeles, Owens brings an artist's discipline and a survivor's urgency to every speaking engagement. As a speaker, performer, event host and MC, he has held rooms of every size for over two decades, guiding audiences through complex moments with warmth, precision, and a performer's timing.
After brain surgery placed everything he had built on hold, Christopher emerged with a new body of work grounded in the neuroscience of recovery. His signature talks weave together lived experience, the latest research on neuroplasticity, and hard-won wisdom on what it takes to rebuild identity, purpose, and momentum when the plan collapses.
He is also the founder and CEO of CulturePHX and CultureHUB — Arizona's first Black-owned co-working and event space on historic Grand Avenue in downtown Phoenix — and has delivered corporate keynotes on creative entrepreneurship and innovation for companies including Ideas Collide. He is completing an MFA in Creative Writing (concentrations in poetry and fiction) at Wilkes University and writes a Substack on creativity, reinvention, and the art of the comeback.
Christopher is available for keynotes, workshops, spoken word performances, panel discussions, fireside chats, and full event hosting, in person and virtually.
Topics Include: Neuroplasticity & Recovery · Creative Entrepreneurship · Reinvention · Cultural Identity · Resilience · The Creative Process
Microphone and mic stand
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
Saturday
Other
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
Varies per event
Gil Scott Heron, Donny Hathaway, Nikki Giovanni, Kendrick Lamar
Microphone and stand
Leadership/Success Speaker
