Writer & Dj, New York City

1. Name.

Janelle Poe aka Elle DJ

2. Where is your hometown?

Born in NYC, raised on East/West Coasts and lived abroad, but spent the longest time in NY, Harlem.
What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? Writer & DJ

3. What was the journey like to get where you are (career wise)? 

Long and convoluted! I’m also still on it! I started writing when I was very young and have always kept a journal where I wrote poetry, songs and tried to reflect on what was happening in my world and with my emotions. It wasn’t until around 2007/8 that I actually considered a career as an author, when I was a diversity educator and had a ridiculously difficult time finding diverse children books for a curriculum I was developing. Thinking, “Hey, I can do this too,” was the first step and applies to the music as well, but it took me a very long time. 

4. When was the mental shift to start the journey? 

After college, I knew that despite my political science/global studies background, my progressive thinking and passion for social justice was not going to be welcomed in a traditional firm or government agency and that the staunch “politics” would be potentially crushing to the artistic spirit that had finally broken free during my senior year. Instead, I chose to embrace the colorful, creative side of me that had always been interested in fashion and a buying job in fashion retail opened the door to the world of creatives, exposing me to people actually made a living being “creative.” As the daughter of a corporate executive and former teacher, this seemed impossible, or at least not for people like me. Realizing that many of the people out there following artistic dreams were doing so against all odds, and because they had something inside of them that wouldn’t let them rest, or be truly happy if they weren’t creative, showed me it was possible. There are many ways to make a living, and why not do so with something you love doing, want to get better at, care about deeply, rather than earning a living and being miserable, unfulfilled, or waiting for the weekend to eke out some creative time among all the other responsibilities filling up your “free" time. 

5. Biggest accomplishment since making the (physical/mental) move?

For one, knowing that soon my work will be published in a Aster(ix) an incredible literary journal celebrating diverse writers who are often marginalized and ignored. Beyond that, it’s the overall reflection on where I am now, in grad school, balancing DJing and accounting as my sources of income, while I allow myself the time and space to really develop my writing. That I believed in myself and kept fighting for the right to live an alternative lifestyle and follow my dreams. 

6. What was biggest disappointment and plan to overcome it?

Getting rejected from a number of schools in 2010-11 was pretty crushing. It seemed to reflect on my writing talents and potential, period. I cried and got mad and actually, that led me to start spinning instead. I kept writing but it took 4 years before I was prepared to face the rejection again, and felt like I was ready. By then, there was nothing I wanted more. In terms of DJing, it’s a rough job. It looks glamorous, but it’s worse than being a singer because A) it’s not your music and B) unless you have a big name, they didn’t come to see you, the people there are just in the space and they are either critiquing every move you make, or ignoring you completely. I had one terrible night where it seemed like my dreams were coming true, early on with a gig for a huge liquor brand, celebrities around, etc…But not only wasn’t I prepared, I was pitted against two super professional and talented DJs and the person with me had lied to get the gig and hadn’t DJ’d before! Talk about a nightmare!! The two of us were a mess as I tried to hide and pretend he was DJing instead of me, and at only a year in, I wasn’t even that good. It was soul crushing and even though I was paid handsomely for the event, I felt my reputation and ego were destroyed. I cried, I was angry. I wondered if anyone would ever hire me again. They did because I keep playing, and I keep showing up.

7. Advice for other women? 

Do you, be nice to yourself, and invest in your dreams. No one else will do this for you, and everyone in the world will tell you that you’re going to fail, until you don’t and prove them wrong. It’s not about them, it’s about you. And start today. It takes time and repetition to get good at anything. DJing has taught me that more than anything. Show respect to people who have been doing what they do for years, especially artists, and especially the ones who aren’t “rich and famous.” Authenticity and innovation is often overlooked or unseen because of the package, the timing, or the lack to connections.

8. Where in the world do you feel “tallest”? 

Hmm, never been asked this but it’s odd because I always feel tall. In the sense of my highest self, in a really good yoga or dance session. Artistically, when I’m deep in the mix or feeling really good about my writing because it’s surprising me and I know I’ve done my best. Physically, on a plane, above the clouds or at the top of a mountain!

9. What is the future goal/challenge (career goals in 5-10 years)?

Published author, professor, mom & wife, who can still rock a party on the 1’s and 2’s. I’d love to have been impactful and a major voice of change in the struggle for racial justice and an end to the segregation, criminalization, and execution of people of color, black people in particular, at the expense of white capitalist demands.

10. What fears are you still hoping to overcome? 

Knowing that I am good enough, smart enough, talented enough, without a doubt and all the time. Not caring what others think or say about me and really not needing their validation or permission.

11. What inspires you? 

Freedom and the glimpses I’ve seen in myself and others, like Erykah Badu, Nai Palm, Bilal, James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, Jesse Williams, the Black Lives Matters organizers. The work of people who are fiercely authentic and glorious, who keep pushing past the ugly, the fear, the negative. Love inspires me.

12. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Right now I'm reading Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss and short stories on various online journals like Aster(ix), Narrative, The New Yorker & Recommended Reading. Before Summer's end want to have finished James Baldwin's "Collected Essays" and Zora Neale Hurston's "Folklore, Memoirs & Other Writings." Favorite authors: James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ZZ Packer, Junot Diaz, Colson Whitehead, Octavia Butler & Margaret Atwood. Arivand Adiga's "White Tiger" is the most surprising novel I read this year.

13. Who is a “WOW Woman” in your life who inspires you (and why)?

Mom’s of the world, women birthing and raising their dreams, and those of others. Too many to name but I’m (we’re all) surrounded by incredible women who are amazing in so many ways, and not just the women I know. The universe lives inside of us and literally continues through us. How can we not be amazing and magical?

14. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

Well, working on launching a blog with several of my closest friends and sisters, Danbe Ink, which should be ready to launch late August of this year. Still trying to figure out my personal writing “persona” but Elle-DJ.com is where my music info is at. Stay tuned to asterixjournal.com for The Eyes of The Tiger, a contemporary short-story about a bartender working in Harlem during an historic boxing match. IG: elle_djnyc FB: Janelle Poe