NATALIE PATTERSON
Hometown: Kokomo, IN / Southern CA
Quote: “When they tell you harsh truths, learn to listen for the love.” — Natalie Patterson
One Accolade: Was part of the Los Angeles Slam Team
Natalie Patterson is a poet with the heart of a photographer, she is about capturing a moment. In 2002, while seated on a beanbag in a crowded poetry venue Natalie felt the spark. She had never shared one of her poems and even writing outside of a journal was new. With a few poems, dedication and a bunch of passion Natalie went on to make the Los Angeles Slam team, get accepted to NACA and book a full college tour then opened a monthly poetry venue, The Siren Collective. Natalie soon began developing her own curriculum and her love of teaching emerged stronger than ever. At the recommendation of a fellow poet, the legendary Stan Lathan asked her to facilitate a poetry based educational event, after a job well done he followed with an offer to join the cast of Debbie Allan’s Def Poetry ALL star show.
The spirit of contribution always extremely central to Natalie’s life work she continued to support the nations largest weekly poetry venue, Da’ Poetry Lounge (the venue she began in) nearly every week since 2003. As a result of that commitment and dedication in 2010, she become the first female producer and host in the 16-year history. That same year, Natalie developed and facilitated innovative poetry programs for under-resourced youth as Director of Poetry for Collective Voices Foundation, teaching eight classes a week at five different schools.
After a series of fortunate events, Natalie left the familiar of Da Poetry Lounge after a decade to focus on building her own brand. In January 2014, Natalie and her work were featured on the entire season of SoulPancake’s “That’s What She Said” web series. SoulPancake has over one million global subscribers, shooting Natalie from a local market into the world. While the international success has given her a larger audience and platform, Natalie remains grounded in her goal to change the world one poem at a time.
Natalie is currently keeping busy working on her first sound installation, writing for major brands like Sephora, teaching her private workshop, Reconnecting: Vulnerability and Integrity, in high school and college classrooms throughout the nation. She is Vice President of Sister Support, a non-profit seeking to empower and support women artists and entrepreneurs through the funding of projects, mentorship and education. The Warehouse on Prime is her current passion and provides space to create content on a variety of topics. Natalie’s latest project is FULL CIRCLE, a monthly interview series with a twist.
Natalie currently lives in Los Angeles. She enjoys love notes, working in the middle of the night, black tea, spending Sunday’s in love and being promptly paid for her art.
Links: