JustJamaal ThePoet

About the Artist

JustJamaal ThePoet is an award winning poet, arts educator, creative entrepreneur, songwriter and recording/performance artist. He has brought his work to audiences nationally and abroad, and served as Ottawa’s poet laureate from 2017-2019 as well as Carleton University’s Music Program Artist in Residence for the 2019-2020 school year. He also founded the Origin Arts + Community Centre with fellow MASC artist Jacqui Du Toit. His defining moments occur when he makes intimate connections with his participants during workshops and performance sets. His topics range from emotional maturity to world issues, from parenting to the human condition. He resides in Ottawa, Canada, with his wife and six children.

I don’t imagine there is a more rewarding feeling than providing a welcoming space for individuals to gather and create art.

— JustJamaal ThePoet

Artist's Programs

Curriculum Links

Explores thematic use of language as a portal to public speaking; supports literacy by exploring language devices such as pattern, rhyme, figurative speech and syllabic metre; explores traditional and contemporary functions of melodic language.

Artistic Disciplines

Literary Arts, Music

Diversity

Black, Culturally Diverse, Men+, Person of Colour

Age

Children ages 5 - 11, Children ages 12 - 18, Seniors, Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Language Proficiency

English

Video Gallery

JustJamaal ThePoet pointing upwards in the center of a white background. He has a black short beard, black dreads, and is wearing a purple buttoned up t shirt.
A woman with short dark blond hair standing in a class room behind a camera as well as a phone. She is filming JustJamaal ThePoet who is sitting on a table talking.
JustJamaat ThePoet, literary artist and musician, looking to the left. His hair is halfway up, he has a black beard, and black hair.
JustJamaal thePoet in front of a microphone with is hands up and eyebrows raising while. He is explaining something and his hair is tied up halfway with some strands in the back.
A group of young men, some in large jackets and one of them in a bow time and red vest, looking into a camera. It is a screenshot from Just Jamaal the Poet's music video.

People love this artist

Jamaal is very good at meeting kids where they are at and harnessing their curiosity and drive.

— Morweena Doing, Agincourt Road Public School

The students loved Jamaal's performance! What an amazing and creative approach to educating students on the history of Hiphop!

— Catherine Hollick, Lester B. Pearson High School

Jamaal’s “Polyphonic Poetry” was the perfect performance for our Black History Month celebration. His patience, compassion and expertise in working with children allowed students to open their minds and hearts for one hour. In fact, he was so well received that students did not want to leave the Google Meet when time was up. Jamaal being the true artist he is, remained for a few minutes more.

— Shaz Tyndale, Ottawa-Carleton Virtual School

JustJamaal had great audio for a virtual connection which made the experience run smoothly!

— Heather Fyfe, St. Bernard School

Articles About This Artist

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