Paine the Poet

Paine The Poet is a spoken word artist, activist, educator, and public speaker from Columbus, OH. He uses his gift of poetry and lyricism to bridge the gap between the “disenfranchised” and the society from which they have been detached. His experience as a formerly incarcerated individual of eight years makes him powerful voice for “convicted felons” and those deemed a “menace to society.”

As a teaching artist, Paine attempts to disrupt the school to prison pipeline by facilitating poetry courses in high schools across Washington, DC. Currently, Paine is partnered with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to prepare incarcerated youth for their return to society.

He has headlined at the National Gallery of Art, 93.9 WKYS, the U.S Capitol, the NFL and various social justice event throughout the United States.