2013 Champion, Spoken Word: Rakarra

“Row Row Row Your Boat”, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”, “The Wheels On the Bus”; all classics and very special to this poet. These nursery rhymes and others are what motivates this young, electrifying woman to grace any stage. Rakarra Williams is influenced by nursery rhymes because they all relate to emotions and involve those entwined in her life. Using poetry as a tool, Rakarra writes to find herself. Through the written and spoken word, she has learned to appreciate herself more and has an increased confidence.

Born, raised and educated in Oakland, CA, Rakkara disliked her English class and writing essays. Early on, she enrolled in a creative writing class and completely fell in love with it. Using her time in group homes as the fuel to express herself and spit fire, the young poet, has begun her healing process. With distant mentors like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, Rakarra writes to rebuild her life and the ones that she touches. Currently attending Laney College part-time, Rakarra is in pursuit of a degree.