Halifax

Joi N. Payne is a poet and spoken word artist who was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She began writing at a young age and can not remember a time when she did not use the pen as a means of self-expression. Joi is a founding member of Word Iz Bond Spoken Word Artists’ Collective and the current Coordinator. Since the first "Word Iz Bond" performance in March 2001, Joi has helped to develop the group and has earned recognition as an artist and for her contribution to the cultural tradition of spoken word. She has been featured at various venues across Canada and has performed on CBC Radio, and CKLN in Toronto. She continues to promote the tradition through the series "Speak!" held monthly in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

David Rimmington has been published in "to find us words and images of Halifax" (edited by Sue MacLeod, 2004), and in the journal "All Rights Reserved". His one act play "Railway Station", was performed by King's Theatre Annapolis Royal, N.S., in their "King's Shorts Festival" in June 2007.

Asna Adhami's poetic works are ignited by spirit, love, nature and simple moments in human experiences. She is influenced by many, including Urdu, Persian and English poets, and is especially inspired by the traditional Sufi poetry of elders and ancestors. She explores themes of culture, identity, multiplicity, success, struggle, transcendence and resilience as a poet, photographer, journalist and cultural expeditionist. Asna regularly engages audiences with her provocative poetry, headlining shows and performing at cultural and human rights events. Asna created and runs the outdoor summer series Poetry in the Park, in Halifax. She enjoys designing collaborative opportunities for intercultural poetry offerings such as Fusion Infusion and Light of the Heart; an Iftaar Party.

Nanci Lee is a Halifax-based poet, adult educator and community development worker supporting microfinance associations. She believes in poetry in its own right and as a springboard for social justice. She won the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia Unpublished Manuscript poetry prize in 2007 and has recently begun publishing. A friend gave her the tagline “ever in flight.”
Nanci Lee's website

Andrew Abraham is not a poet, and he is. He was a member of the 2007 and 2008 Hali Slam Teams, winners of their respective years' National Slam titles. Andrew works with a local youth organization called Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) and performs regularly at Word Iz Bond's 'Speak!' poetry series. He thanks his mother, Hali Slam, his family at LOVE, and Word Iz Bond for their strong shoulders and beautiful minds.