Evolve BentonEvolve Benton, a queer, black, artist, poet and South Central Los Angeles native whose harrowing life experience - from growing up in poverty, violence, losing a parent and becoming homeless in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - inspired a fearlessand unapologetic outlook on life. Evolve's saving grace throughout childhood was being surrounded by strong role models - motivated, confident black women and men - caretakers, nurses, cooks - fearless souls who inspired Evolve to speak out and stand up for those who are marginalized and oppressed. Evolve has a bachelor of arts in mass communications from Dillard University (2008) and a master of arts in clinical psychology with an LGBT specialization (2012), as well as a master of fine arts in creative writing (2018) from Antioch University of Los Angeles. The resilience and power of Evolve's poetry soon caught the attention of many and their writing has appeared in the Dillard Review (2008), Trans bodies, Trans Selves (2014) and Outside the XY: Black and Brown Masculinity (2016). Evolve also served as a poetry copy editor on the literary journal, Lunch Ticket. While Evolve's experience as a black queer poet has been challenging it has resulted in deeply rewarding self-resilience and a search for the authentic self. Evolve hopes to perform poetry around the world and eventually, establish a literary organization to help queer and trans folks of color become better writers and build their own brand. Evolve enjoys speaking, curating art and healing spaces with/for community and watching the Los Angeles Lakers. Learn more about the author at evolvebenton.com . Get an exclusive audio version of SIR at http: //bit.ly/SIRAudioBook. Read More Read Less