Da Spotlight with DJ Gatsby & Guest Poet Joy Elan

Joy Elan is from Oakland and Berkeley, CA. She received her BA degree in African American Studies at UC Berkeley and her MA degree in Education at Stanford University. She won third place in Oakland's Got Talent in June 2014 for her spoken word piece, "I'm A Survivor." In 2015, she won Poetry Video of the Year for the National Poetry Awards for her video performance of "I'm A Survivor." 

She was born with a hearing loss and has been wearing hearing aids since she was 15 months. Despite the obstacles she faced, she overcame many of them and continues to overcome obstacles. Her mother always told her that she had three things against her: Black, female, and disabled. Joy Elan went through life prepared for what she would face and has smiled throughout everything she has been through. She is currently working with urban youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Joy Elan can be seen performing her poetry at various venues and events around the San Francisco Bay Area.
For more press material, go to Joy Elan's Press.