Aja Monet Bacquie

Aja Monet Bacquie is an experienced teaching artist and poet with a diverse background in educational and creative roles. Currently serving as a Teaching Artist at Urban Arts Partnership since September 2013, Aja has also been part of the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies as Staff Faculty, developing workshops since June 2006. Aja's involvement with Urban Word NYC began in September 2003, where contributions include mentoring youth and coaching the NYC Youth Poetry Slam Team. As a self-employed poet, Aja engages in various creative endeavors, including performances and educational facilitation. Aja co-founded Poetic Justice at Lawrence Road Middle School and facilitated a poetry program at Odyssey House. Additional experiences include writing for Nickelodeon and interning at The New York Times. Aja holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA in Poetry, Psychology, and Philosophy from Sarah Lawrence College.