Nathan Wallace is a poet and teaching artist based in Atlanta, Georgia, originally from Hinesville. His work uses poetry and storytelling to explore healing, mental health, civic trauma, and community care while creating space for reflection, dialogue, and social change.
As the 2019 Atlanta Youth Poet Laureate and a 2023 Soul Fried and March Madness Poetry Slam Runner-Up, Nathan has published two acclaimed collections, I'm My Own Therapist (2019) and Before My Own Eulogy (2022). His writing examines mental health, generational trauma, identity, and justice, amplifying voices and experiences that are often overlooked.
A two-time Future Corps Director, Nathan has collaborated with organizations including BET, the Atlanta Hawks, East Atlanta Kids Club, and Georgia Broadcasting. He is also a 2024 Arts & Entertainment Atlanta Grantee and has performed alongside renowned poets including Alysia Harris and Jasmine Mans.
Through workshops, performances, and community engagement, Nathan encourages participants to claim their stories, deepen their understanding of themselves and others, and imagine healthier, more connected communities.
Underground Railroads
Even before it was legal for people of African descent to read in America, poetry existed through some of the oldest forms of storytelling: song. In this workshop, participants explore how music, poetry, and storytelling have been used as tools for liberation, survival, and resistance. Together, we examine the significance of these traditions and consider how art can continue to inspire social change and strengthen our communities today.
Separated but United
African American culture carries generations of resilience, creativity, and connection to ancestral traditions. In this workshop, participants explore cultural practices that have survived across time and distance, examining how communities preserve identity, honor heritage, and maintain connections to their roots. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own cultural traditions and consider how they can help sustain them for future generations.
Building a Better You: Exploring Mental and Emotional Health Through Poetry
Poetry can be a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and self-discovery. Through guided writing exercises and discussion, participants explore emotions, triggers, and personal experiences in a supportive environment. This workshop encourages self-expression, open dialogue, and greater awareness of mental and emotional well-being while connecting participants with tools and resources for support.
Building Better Habits: Healthy Communication Under Duress
How do we communicate when emotions are high and conversations become difficult? This workshop explores healthy communication strategies during moments of stress, conflict, and emotional overwhelm. Through reflection, discussion, and writing exercises, participants practice active listening, empathy, and self-awareness while developing tools for stronger relationships and healthier communication.
Building a Better Community: Creating Safe and Supportive Spaces
What helps people feel safe, respected, supported, and valued? Through discussion, reflection, and creative exercises, participants explore the qualities that create healthy communities and relationships. Together, they identify practical ways to foster environments that encourage belonging, empathy, and emotional well-being.
Moving Day: Working Through Grief One Day at a Time
This workshop creates space for participants to explore grief through poetry and storytelling. Through guided creative exercises, participants honor memories, process difficult emotions, and reflect on the many ways grief shapes our lives. The workshop acknowledges loss while offering opportunities for connection, healing, and hope.
Who Want Smoke: Suicide Prevention Through Poetry and Reflection
This workshop helps participants recognize signs of depression and suicide while exploring poetry as a tool for healing, reflection, and connection. Through creative expression and guided activities, participants develop greater awareness, learn strategies for supporting themselves and others, and strengthen their capacity for resilience and care.
Effective Grant Writing: Securing Funding for Your Projects
Designed for artists, students, nonprofits, and community leaders, this workshop introduces the fundamentals of successful grant writing. Participants learn how to identify funding opportunities, craft compelling narratives, develop realistic budgets, and communicate the value of their work through practical exercises and real-world examples.
