A native of Dallas, Akusua Akoto currently resides in Colorado as a writer, spoken word performer, public speaker and facilitator. She is currently working on her manuscript “’To a Soul that has been Abused' the State of the World Commentary” and she is the 2023 recipient of the Muse mentorship with poet laureate Ahja Fox.
How the Muse mentorship has been for Akusua
This is my first writing mentorship that I have held, and it has been both rewarding and healing. This has been so much more than someone editing and critiquing my work. Ahja has handled my work with care and consideration. We take our time with each piece, we have a conversation, and she is very like-minded and curious about the process of my work not just the result.
Ahja is that poet mentor I wish I had when I started this manuscript, and I was terrified to allow someone into my process. I appreciate her questions as she painstakingly goes through each line as well as the overall piece.
Working with Ahja has been a partnership that has made me believe it's okay to trust people with your work. This is what community and action looks like.
Akusua’s Project
The poetry project “To a Soul that has been Abused” is almost 10 years in the making. It is a political commentary of sorts where my focus on the role is of the witness to political and police brutality and to the collective anger and helplessness.
What Akusua Feels They have Accomplished During the Duration of the Mentorship
A renewed sense of trust in working with someone during a difficult and vulnerable creative process. Developing more interesting ways to approach my work such as the style of writing editing and even researching for new ideas.
Also, a sense of possibility overall. Certain pieces are longer than others and there is a heaviness about my work, often at theatricality, however, when I find myself thinking this is too much or maybe not understood I feel a little more confident in my power as a writer.
You can be the next Muse Mentorship recipient!
Start your application at AuroraGov.org/Poet.