About Jacinta V. White
After experiencing the sudden passing of my father -- with whom, months prior I'd shared my first published poem (Young Detroiter, 1996) -- I found poetry to be my "lifeline."
Poetry took on a different meaning for me after my Dad passed. It helped me process the pain and grief that were raw and unimaginable. Years later, I started The Word Project (TWP) as a way to provide urban youth a safe space to share their complex stories through poetry. Today, TWP has expanded its reach, and works with those of all ages and walks of life. And, through it, the international online quarterly, Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing was born.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with a BA in Speech Communications (1994), I began her career as a public relations professional. I parlayed those skills with my love for the nonprofit sector, and after receiving her MPA in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University (2000), I worked in the field of resource development and event planning for several Atlanta-based nonprofits. I loved Atlanta but also wanted to return home to focus more on my writing. So, in 2005, I returned to NC and I brought TWP with me.
I've been fortunate to study Poetry Therapy with Dr. Sherry Reiter of the Creative Righting Center in NY, and have worked alongside renowned poetry therapist, author, and friend John Fox. I've also studied poetry with Terrance Hayes, Stuart Dischell, and Cecilia Woloch, just to name a few.
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As director of TWP, I lead countless workshops and trainings; am called upon as keynote speaker for programs; serves as a consultant for many initiatives. I am also recognized as a NC Arts Council Teaching Artist. But my work doesn't stop at poetry. I'm also called upon as an artist facilitator and thought partner working with such groups like EmcArts, UNC School of the Arts, and The Kenan Institute for the Arts. I'm the founding principal of Deeper Dive Consulting, where I serve as a certified coach and corporate trainer (see my other certifications here).
My latest collection of poetry, Resurrecting the Bones: A Journey through African American Churches and Cemeteries in the Rural South was released Sept. 2019 by Press 53 (read more here). My chapbook, broken ritual, was released by Finishing Line Press in 2012. Other works include: poetry in, What Matters Anthology (Jacar Press, 2013), Press 53 Open Awards Anthology (2008) as its first prize winner, contributor to My Soul to His Spirit: Soulful Writings of African American Daughters to Their Fathers (SoulDictates, 2005), and editor of Walking With God (Duncan & Duncan, 1996). See a list of more recent published work here.
More recently, I have been a student and practitioner of Tantra. I've received by Tantra Teacher certification from InnerCamp and am beginning to incorporate many of its spiritual principles and practices around healing in my sessions. Many think "sex" when they hear or see the word "tantra." That's our Western conditioning. Whereas some Tantra principles deal with consensual sex, my focus in on healing childhood wounds and leaving into our authentic pleasure. I've studied a lot about pain and grief and know that healing is a continuum. Not all of my work involves these principles and I make clear what does and what doesn't, so there is no need to worry if you are not there yet on your healing journey. I will meet you where you are.
I'm truly blessed to do this work and am committed to helping others with art and artistic practices as a catalyst for individual and community healing.
See press Jacinta has received based on her work with TWP.