Phelisha Levi : The Poet

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Phelisha was born into a family of writers. The skill of writing was something treated so casually since everyone could do it and do it well. It wasn’t until her mother discovered her poetry book that she realized she had a talent. Convinced her mother’s interest in her writing was due to her simply being a mother, Phelisha still kept her writing a secret.

Once Phelisha joined the Open Mic program of Afterschool Matters and began performing at her high school talent showcases, she was convinced that her gift was in fact real. Phelisha became recognized as a poet able to make complex situations easier to understand and soften the blow of discussing hard issues.

Poetry had always been the ladder to which she used to climb out of dark places. Poetry was the gem produced after deep reflection. Poetry was also the first thing affected when she was overwhelmed which led to long periods of not writing poetry. The loss of motivation to write off and on lasted for over 10 years.

In 2018, facing a time of confusion and frustration she told one of her best friends that she was going to write consistently in order to find peace and clarity. While doing this, she produced her first poetry book. Although she made a decision to postpone publishing the book, it was the lethargic process needed to bring her peace and remind her that her purpose is to ignite change, heal, and inspire herself and others through words.

Since the end of 2018 she has written hundreds of poems, have published some on social media, have performed in several open mic events (in-person as well as virtually), and has finished another book which is set to be published in the fall of 2020. Poetry has proven to be a faithful counselor and a therapeutic form of expression. Her love affair with poetry has been rekindled and it is sure to be eternal this time around.

Jewelry making is a skill Phelisha learned from her mother. Her mother was a woman who was adamant on matching her jewelry with every outfit. If her mom purchased a piece of jewelry and she thought something should be changed, she changed it. Her mom also ventured into making original pieces of jewelry for herself.

Phelisha took after her mother and started making jewelry as well. After getting so many compliments on the jewelry she made, she decided to start selling the jewelry to her classmates in high school. This proved to be lucrative and rewarding. Seeing others wear her jewelry was so exciting. She vowed then to never make a duplicate piece of jewelry.

In 2013 she launched Fingerprint Jewelry. Fingerprint Jewelry was a jewelry line designed to remind every woman that they are truly one of a kind. Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, every piece of jewelry is unique as well. She started selling jewelry online, in a local women’s boutique, as well as at jewelry parties she would host monthly.

Phelisha stopped selling jewelry to focus on her career. In 2018 the requests for her to continue to sell jewelry was overwhelming and she decided to oblige. Phelisha often says she does not make jewelry, she makes wearable art. To explore the art that is Fingerprint Jewelry, click here!