Twice appointed Poet Laureate for the City of Harrisburg Pennsylvania. This was the cover of Central PA Magazine. Photography by Sean Sims.

“Each morning I wake I pour myself into a goblet, slowly inhaling the scent of my own faults, swirling them around the glass, allowing them to breath, then I sip, allowing my own inconsistencies to soak my tongue before swallowing. If I am tipsy from my own frailties – I’m less likely to become drunk on yours.” – Iya Isoke (introspection)

Black History Event hosted by Governor Tom Corbett (R.PA)

Speech delivered at Mayor Linda Thompson’s (D. PA) Inauguration.

Hosting Poetry Night at “The Den” Harrisburg, PA

A prolific speaker and writer since 1997, Iya “SoKey” Isoke quickly emerged as an outspoken voice of her community. Her mantra is “language is a code, use it, or be used by it.”

Ms. Isoke is twice appointed Poet Laureate for the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The Poet Laureate serves as the official lightning rod for the poetic impulse of Americans. During his or her term, the Poet Laureate seeks to raise consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and
writing of poetry. Her post ended 1/20/14, she handed the reigns over to Rick Kearns. Now she will fly from city to city, from cyber space to your place trying to make an impact on the world one word at a time.

 “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn,
burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes “Awww!” – Jack Kerouac

Poetic performance at Der Mannechor in Harrisburg, PA

The “SoKey” Experience is a fusion of Spoken Word; Emotive Truth & Jazz which will take you places you’ve never been or thought you’d travel to.  Through her poetry Ms. Isoke strives to highlight the primacy of such Beat Generation essentials as spontaneity, open emotion, visceral engagement in often gritty worldly experiences thereby bringing a love and respect for Spoken Word to the forefront. Like the Beat Generation which came before us; The “SoKey” Experience is a rebirth of new bohemian ecstatic epicureans, who often engage in spontaneous creativity.

Ms. Isoke is a member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency – Survivors Speakers Bureau. Known for her impactful delivery and powerful prose she facilitates “Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence” Prevention workshops across a diverse community in addition to  “Impact of Crime” classes for prison inmates.

For booking information please email iyaisoke@gmail.com

The SoKey Experience’s Recent Posts:

Click here to listen to “kNOw Beloved”

Visit HealTHY Heart and you will read how one woman deals with heartache and grief.

Visit “What IS That?!” and you will laugh along with her as she eavesdrops on the world. You may also shed a tear or two.

• KEMistry – Reflections, Memories and Healing.
• Marvin’s Trophy – a short story inspired by a Facebook Status.
• The Unnecessary B*tch – A woman’s worth.
• A Mother’s Love – Thoughts on a mother’s worth.

The SoKey Experience’s Poetry:

• kNOw Beloved
• These Hands
• Fly Robin Fly

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Iya Isoke, Poet Laureate-City of Harrisburg PA | Follow Iya Isoke on Facebook