About Gleason
Here are a few of the hats I wear and engagements I offer.
Head to my Booking page to inquire about rates!
Host/Emcee + Keynote Speaker + Storyteller
I love connecting with audiences, whether hosting and highlighting other artists or sharing my own story. I believe in the transformative power of seeking and speaking inner and outer truths. Growing up in a Christian Nationalist cult, my journey has been one of reflection and exploration, challenging the status quo, and embracing change regardless of the cost.
Themes I speak on include: Intersections of Faith, Trauma, and Identity; Arts, Culture, and Representation in the Classroom, Queer Poetry as Activism, and Nonprofit Leadership and Community Advocacy.
Teaching Artist + Workshop Facilitator/Trainer
I began working in middle and high school classrooms helping young people unlock their poetic and storytelling abilities in 2013. In 2016, I co-founded a successful arts education nonprofit where I was the Director of Education for six years. Through that work, I developed award winning curriculum and content and connected with students in ways that made them feel seen, heard, empowered, and celebrated.
This work has extended into the corporate setting as well. I have led education focused workshops at teacher training conferences and poetry workshops in break out sessions at corporate events. I also facilitate LGBTQ related DEI trainings for companies and organizations.
Award Winning Poet and Performer
I have been performing my poetry on local and national stages for the last fifteen years. My creative expression is often an exercise in finding “god” in places the church told me god did not exist, reclaiming the holiness at the heart of my queer existence, and feeling pride and divinity where I once felt shame and condemnation.
I share this expression in hopes that others can experience the transformative power of seeking and speaking truth. Whether in 5-10 or 30-45 minute featured sets, my work has been commissioned and highlighted at Pride festivals, universities, conferences, and corporate and community events.