I was a TEDx Virgin... Don't get me wrong I had gorged on many a TED talk on YouTube but never attended a live event. That all changed on Saturday 13th of May at TEDx Shoreditch Thanks to 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Chevannes who decided to put on the event to spread the message #betruetoyourself and all the host of volunteers working with her. As someone who uses poetry and coaching to enable transformation. I had no clear roadmap to follow and the temptation was to change how I was showing up in pursuit of "success". Being true to myself felt like the kind of message I needed to hear right now! Add to that, I was connected to Ryan Hopkins and Steve Richards who were speaking at the event. It was a no-brainer in the end! I can truly say it was a transformational experience for me to hear from such a diverse and aligned set of inspirational speakers. Shout out to the other speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, and Ramat Tejani) Thanks for being vulnerable and authentic in sharing your stories. The added bonus to attending was the opportunity to network with so many fantastic people and have such great conversations. Many I hope to continue into the future. It was a pleasure to meet you Jacob Notlov, Richard Nero, Shaun Murphy, Rishi Sapra ACA, MCT, Microsoft MVP, Pavneet Syan, Camilia Berrada, Adedoyin Oyekan, Lawrence Emenike, Nina Saffuri, Matthew Quadri, and Thomas Duncan Bell I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of their world embracing their uniqueness to create a unique legacy just like all the speakers. -------------- Pilgrimage  By Frank Bolaji Irawo Pilgrimage is a journey Back to authentic self It is wading through conditioning To arrive where you never left The home that is the Essence of love The eternal infinite you always were Enjoy it all Every ebb and flow Every joy and pain Every fear and hope The unfolding  Of an inward odyssey We never left the room, but we journeyed far as we took a guided pilgrimage to our deeper essence. When is the last time you took the time to explore if there are parts of you that you have left behind? I was hiding my poetry to appear more businesslike. What is it for you?

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 2 - Session 1 - Ellie Middleton Deep down we all want to be seen, accepted, and understood. To feel safe as part of the human collective. When your brain just won't play by the widely accepted rules judged as the norm. It can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life. You experience yourself as broken and in need of repair. Ellie shared her story about being diagnosed late in life with Autism and ADHD. this helped her make sense of what she had been going through and how come the mysterious rulebook everyone else appeared to live from did not serve her. She formed her own tribe and gave many that sense of belonging they have been missing. Through the excellent work she is doing, I do hope that we become better informed about how to show up in this neurodiverse world we live in. -------------- Rule book By Frank Bolaji Irawo There is a book Maybe you have seen it I assume everyone else has it That’s where it's all written You know what I mean At least I hope you do It’s the one we are all to follow Contains all we need to know In it are all the rules  It clearly lays out the standards To which normal people comply A copy of which no one handed me So I am left guessing What those weird looks mean I clearly didn't get the script to life So I'm stuck with doing improv Come to think of it If they won't let me in on it Should I just write my own Assemble my tribe and circulate it? Here's to a place where I belong Let's build it piece by piece Forming it as we go along Welcoming and inviting, a place for all ---------- Who is the author of the rule book you have been trying to live to? If your tribe does not exist exist are you willing to create it? ---------- I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 3 - Session 2 - Jide Maduako We all have personal ambitions that we dream of achieving. Jide's dream was to be a professional footballer and seemed to be well on his way. Unfortunately, that journey was cut short and he was left seeking a new direction. Jide went on a journey of discovery in search of something more than just personal ambition. His calling is to serve more than himself. He did not allow what seemed like a failed football career to define him. He learned from the experience and now he is an entrepreneur as the CEO of Yoke Network specialising in social media marketing. For him, failure was not the end of the process but a part of it. -------------- Road to failure By Frank Bolaji Irawo Failure Sounds like  It should be Where the road  Comes to an end It could be That depends on you You could decide To build more road Using the learning material -------------- What have you learned from the failures have you experienced along the way? How can those learnings equip you in service of others? --------------   I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 4 - Session 3 - Louisa Stafford Northcote The saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is meant to convey the sentiment that it is up to the person observing to decide what is beautiful to them. There is an implication that this would vary from person to person. The reality of the modeling industry is that beauty is in the eye of the agency gatekeeper. This is what Louisa found out when she developed Acne. She did her best to cover it up with makeup but was finally told to go and get it seen to and come back once it had cleared up. She persevered and eventually became one of the first models to do a photoshoot with Acne on full display. This inspired many people who identified with this reality to come forward and her tribe was formed. What began as a problem became the seed for a movement for people to be unapologetically comfortable in their own skin. Learning to love ourselves is the greatest love of all, and by so doing we encourage others to do the same. -------------- Make up By Frank Bolaji Irawo Watch me reach Into my toolkit See how I use My skills To make up To improve  The take up Of this version I've made up Of my skin What else to do Being poreless Not being flawless Falling short of perfect Prisoner to a lie I make up Falling in love  With this being Without apology  Adorned with a covering Free to or not to Make up -------------- What is part of you that makes you uncomfortable? What can you do today to embrace it as part of your reality? --------------   I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 5 - Session 4 - Steve Richards It's hard enough trying to discover your own story without having to contend with fitting into the stories that others have written for you. The brain uses stereotypes as a hack for making quick decisions on what it flags as desirable or undesirable. When a business owner was introduced to Steve as a brand consultant, he took one look at his dreadlocks and concluded he must have been connected to the wrong guy. His brain had put Steve in a box that did not fit the brief. Thankfully they were able to get past that and do great work together. There are a lot of narratives people hold about what is expected from you based on your looks, colour of your skin, sexuality, religion, or gender. People get nervous when you start behaving in a manner that does not conform to those stories. Ironically they need you to stand grounded in your uniqueness to give them the permission to stand in theirs. -------------- Conformity By Frank Bolaji Irawo The majority have an ask For your Conformity For them it spells safety Like looking in a mirror To be confronted by their reality Should you decide to comply They can breathe a sigh of relief The majority have a need For your non-conformity Being free in your own skin Like looking in a mirror And seeing what is possible The inspiration to break free And be true to who they are -------------- What have you been hiding so others don't feel uncomfortable? What do you see in others that makes you feel uncomfortable? --------------   I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 6 - Session 5 - Amanda Baker Life can seem like a hamster wheel, we end up working hard but have lost track of why. Moving from task to task with no space to breathe. In those rare moments when we catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror, we are tempted to look within but afraid of what we might find. So we distract ourselves by doing even more. Amanda came to a point in her life where she decided to take the plunge and create space to reflect on and write out her stories. It was a journey of self-discovery in which she identified that everyone would benefit from crafting five stories that span their past, present, and future. They can act as an anchor, decision-making tool, and motivator both personally and for those who get to experience them.   They can be the difference between showing up as a human doing or a human being. -------------- Tell it By Frank Bolaji Irawo Take the time Uncover your stories The ones to tell While you are still here You just never know Who needs to hear As you dare to share Sparking hope Saying you are not alone It's okay to be you If I made it So can you Let's together Walk this road [S] - Start with retracing where it all began with your origin story [T] - Then with vulnerability connect with others with your empathy story [O] - Own the narrative about your why, with your purpose story [R] - Relay the way in which you serve others with your product story [Y] - You then finish off by laying out where you heading with your vision story Let them anchor you Let them remind you Help decide what to do Eliminate what not to do Those stories are so true for you They say you matter and you care Establishing a legacy When you are no longer here -------------- What are your 5 stories? Where can you start sharing your stories? --------------   I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 7 - Session 6 - Luke Manton The NHS website defines Tourette's syndrome as "a neurological condition that causes you to make involuntary movements and sounds called tics" Imagine having no control over when your body might get highjacked by movement or sounds/words for which others hold you accountable. There is a good chance that if you were born with it, you would have known no different. It would of course be no less of a challenge but you won't carry that extra psychological baggage of wishing things would go back to how they used to be. This was Luke's reality after developing Tics after an accident. His variant of Tourette's syndrome involves swearing which can be a challenge in a professional environment and result in reduced opportunities. He has managed to overcome these challenges and support others in doing the same too. The one way we can all make a great difference is understanding. Understand the condition by doing some research (Connect with Luke Manton and check out his podcast) Understand that however inconvenient the condition may be for you the person affected has to live with it 24/7 Understand that everyone has a different manifestation of the condition so do ask what support each person needs. Understand that discrimination of any kind against someone with the condition robs them of the opportunity to contribute and be included.        -------------- Tic, tic, tic…boom By Frank Bolaji Irawo We're alright Luke What's up with you Why not just behave Like a regular dude What's with being so rude This a serious gig You won't fit in Swipe left next one Rather Skip this Awkward situation Life's hard enough Living with me You encounter me It feels too much for you Try being this 24/7 Watch relationships Bite the dust Sleep at a premium Trying to hold it down Tic, Tic, Tic…Boom Neural hijacking Energy draining So Unpredictable Anybody's guess  What comes next Enough to get on with A little understanding Wouldn't go amiss Who would care To walk in these shoes  -------------- What can you do to learn more about the condition? What can you do to improve opportunities for people with the condition? --------------    I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 8 - Session 7 - Ramat Tejani What do you really want? Sounds like a very straightforward question that anyone should be able to answer without much hesitation. Try it now and see how easy it is. Do you see what I mean? Even when you do come up with a list, how many things on there are influenced by what others expect of you? Ramat proposed the idea of taking the time to reflect and curate the words, themes, and ideas that infuse you with passion and a sense of joy and fulfillment. Then take them and create a personal manifesto, similar to a list of mantras by which you live. Uncover what really matters to you! You are unique. What is right for others will not necessarily be what is right for you. No one else can define who your best self should be. The process is fluid and evolving, give it space to grow. If you want to find out more about crafting a personal manifesto, connect with Ramat Tejani. -------------- Your best self By Frank Bolaji Irawo In this moment Is this the best  I can do? Then I can ask No more To this notion I'll be true That is my Best Self Creating space For everyone To live in the reality That is at play  In this moment That is their Best Self Too Until it isn't Making way For something new -------------- Which words describe your best self now? Which words describe who you think you should be? --------------    I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 9 - Session 8 - Ryan Hopkins If I told you that we could make a big dent in addressing the global wellbeing pandemic from the throne room you would be forgiven for thinking I had lost my marbles. Worse still you could conclude I never had them to lose in the first place. That is of course till you realise that we all have one in our homes and use it several times a day. I am of course referring to the room in which we ease ourselves aka toilet, bathroom, or restroom. You should have been there at the TEDx Shoreditch on the 13th of May 2023 event to experience Ryan giving his talk on well-being titled "Engaging a billion people from the toilet' while literally sitting on one. The concept was simple enough, why not do something no matter how small to improve your well-being every time you visit? Breathe, stretch, rehearse your mantras, reset, switch off, etc. -------------- The throne room By Frank Bolaji Irawo I visit the room It summons me repeatedly I sit on the throne Sometimes as much as 8 times a day To pay my dues, a penny or two The place of release My mind is at peace I take a breathe or two Here is my chance To do what's good for me Well-being hack that I need Here is the deal Mind, body, and soul Wellbeing made right Little by little  Like the tortoise over the hare Slow and steady beats boom and bust Now I'm no longer forlorn As I flush and flourish Every time I'm called To the throne room -------------- What one thing can you do to enhance your well-being when next you visit? How can you help spread the word to help reach a billion? --------------   I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. In the days to follow, I am going to deliver a series of posts reflecting on the key learnings from the event in poetry and reflective questions. It is my hope that this recap will inspire the reader to show up in service of all with all their uniqueness on display to create a lasting legacy. Organiser 🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM) Speakers (Amanda Baker, Ellie Middleton, Jide Maduako, Louisa Stafford Northcote, Luke Manton, Ramat Tejani, Ryan Hopkins, and Steve Richards)

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 10 - It's A Wrap - Brain Training Part 1 It is my hope that this series has inspired you to show up in service of your world while embracing your uniqueness to create an enduring legacy just like all the speakers. Below are some more poems inspired by the speakers on the day. Now for a chance for some brain training. See if you can work out which of our speakers inspired the pieces below. Match the letter for the speaker to the number for the poem (some have more than one). Let's see who can match them all! Answer to be supplied in the comments later. You can catch up on the whole series using the link supplied in the comments section below. A. Ellie Middleton B. Jide Maduako C. Louisa Stafford Northcote D. Steve Richards E. Amanda Baker F. Luke Manton G. Ramat Tejani H. Ryan Hopkins --------------- 1. Table By Frank Bolaji Irawo I could see them Sat at the table One that looked Like I could fit I waited to be invited It never came I tried to hint But fell on deaf ears Tired of waiting I built my own table Invited my tribe To join me Which table Have you been eyeing? --------------- 2. Small things By Frank Bolaji Irawo By no means A small thing This wellbeing thing But many small things Done consistently Just like small door hinges Swing open the great door To global well being --------------- 3. Grief By Frank Bolaji Irawo Grief How did it show up For you I know how it did For me Stopped Questioning If this is right For them I know it's right For me Even if it hurts --------------- 4. Fear chat By Frank Bolaji Irawo I had a chat with fear About Its obsessive stifling A quiet word for it to ease off Give me a break so I could live on Without its constant meddling Just as I'm about to push off Do the things that stretch me To my surprise fear replied I assure you it's all for the best Staying away from the unknown Guarantees no surprises To never take a chance  Is to know no failure Always playing it safe Is to make no mistakes To never face danger Ensures no harm is done All I do is to save you  From the perils of life That's one way of looking at it Was my retort Staying away from the unknown Guarantees no adventure To never take a chance Is to close the door to success Always playing it safe Reduces chances to grow To never face danger Dulls the fun of being alive All that leads to is the path Of death without living We made a deal It can speak I will listen I get to decide To try and fail and learn Than never to try at all To die knowing I lived Than live like the dead --------------- 5. Doing more By Frank Bolaji Irawo I am so busy Busy as a bee Doing so much more I trust you're impressed It's my way of distracting myself From facing the fear of A Void within I started the #poetricity movement to leverage #poetry to power transformation. If you have an event you would like me to cover. DM me.

Poetricity Presents - TEDx Shoreditch Poetry Recap - Part 11 - The End - Brain Training Part 2 This series was born out of my desire to use poetry as means of communicating my learnings from attending my very first live TEDx Event. It is my hope that it has provided some inspiration for you to #betruetoyourself. I enjoy creating poetry to power transformation and will seek more opportunities to do so. DM me if you have any ideas about that. Here is the final quiz to close off the series. Below are the remaining poems inspired by the speakers on the day. See if you can work out which of our speakers inspired the pieces below. Match the letter for the speaker to the number for the poem (some have more than one). Let's see who can match them all! (Answer to be supplied in the comments below and along with the link to where you can catch up on the whole series.) A. Ellie Middleton B. Jide Maduako C. Louisa Stafford Northcote D. Steve Richards E. Amanda Baker F. Luke Manton G. Ramat Tejani H. Ryan Hopkins --------------- 6. The void By Frank Bolaji Irawo I felt the pain Made by the void The one no one would fill I searched for someone To go before So I had another to follow I wait some more Now I am forlorn In desperation I take the leap Giving others permission to follow Emboldened by my courage  Showing what is possible --------------- 7. Socialisation By Frank Bolaji Irawo There is a process A systemic process One that keeps working With or without your permission Shaping your identity when you're asleep That's the process referred to as socialisation --------------- 8. Broken By Frank Bolaji Irawo Broken, Misshapen Freak or just need a tweak Needs to make sense Or there is no progress Remaining clueless To what comes next Oh what a mess It is what it is How do we  Make the most of it I wade through the mess My tribe come along As I sound the horn The way is over here The answer I was seeking Is in what makes sense Having self-love for me --------------- 9. Becoming By Frank Bolaji Irawo Are you ready Or will you still hold on Hanging on for dear life  To what appears to be Blocking the very passageway  For what you could become --------------- 10. Miss By Frank Bolaji Irawo Take the shot What if I miss? What would that mean? You missed the shot That's another one  You never got Can't take that risk The risk of what? Missing that shot What if it's a hit? That's one more you got Now guess what You never got anything From not taking those shots Every single time