Some people write to be heard. MayaRose (LeahJoy Pearson) writes to awaken. A Spoken Word poet, community builder, and relentless advocate for artistic expression, she believes poetry is more than ink on a page—it’s history, heartbeat, and home. Whether performing on stage, amplifying voices on television, or guiding intergenerational workshops, she weaves words into bridges, connecting people across generations, cultures, and lived experiences.
Her television show, Speak Your Mind (Spectrum Channel 192), is more than a program—it’s a movement. As host and curator, she brings together poets, storytellers, writers, and advocates, proving that every voice holds power. Leahjoy has performed and facilitated writing workshops at CT Folk Fest & Green Expo (2022, 2023), produced Poetry in Motion and the Gala at Studio Hill through Arts Alliance of Woodbury grants (2023, 2025), and created Expression Mondays, a long-running open mic series in both New Haven (2013-2020) and Los Angeles (2003-2008).
Her artistry extends to the page as well. She is the author of Poems from My Broken Heart: Expressions on the Spiral of Life (2016), a collection blending poetry and original photography, and her work is featured in Volume Two: A Neverending Books Collective (2024). She has been a guest on Spoken Voices (WPKN) and Malcolm Tent’s Wild Ride (WNHU), further solidifying her presence in the spoken word and literary communities.
Beyond the stage and screen, Leahjoy’s impact is deeply felt in the spaces where art meets social change. She co-created F.L.O.W. (Fluent Love of Words), a writing and performance program for incarcerated youth, later merging with the nonprofit newearthlife.org (2005). She also produced Writers, Storytellers, and Poets at the Riverview Arts and Music Festival (2018), featuring Connecticut Grand Slam champions Midnight, Influence, and Zulynette.
Through it all, Leahjoy remains committed to the belief that words—when wielded with passion and purpose—can build bridges, break barriers, and spark revolutions.
Selected past performances can be viewed on her YouTube channel, MayaRoseSpokenWord.
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