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Blythe Baird

Blythe Baird

Followers of Blythe Baird202 followers
location of Blythe BairdMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Storyteller. Author. Copywriter. Editor. Content Creator.

  • Education

    • Hamline University

      2014 - 2018
      BFA in Creative Writing BA in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Minor in English Honors: cum laude.

      Activities and Societies: - President of HU Poetry Slam Club - Member of Triota Honors Society - Runestone Literary Magazine Student Editor and Contributor (2016-2017) - Coach of HU Slam Team for College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational Competition (2017) - Cumulative GPA: 3.87- Hedgeman Center Outstanding Ally Award (2018)- George Bridgeman Poetry Prize 1st Place (2016, 2018)- Rainbow Award for LGBTQ+ Leadership (2016)

    • William Fremd High School

      2010 - 2014

      Activities and Societies: National Honor Society, 2014 Graduation Speaker

  • Experience

    • Hamline University

      Jun 2015 - May 2018

      - Planned and executed 22 unique campus events, routinely surpassing attendance goals- Booked artists including Hieu Minh Nguyen, Sierra DeMulder, Siaara Freeman, G Yamazawa, Rachel McKibbens, Paul Tran, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Olivia Gatwood, Kwabena Foli, and more - Collected detailed post-event surveys, interpreting and implementing feedback from participants to inform future advertising methods and to ensure programming decisions reflected the voices, interests, and identities of the student population Show less

      • Event Coordinator for the HU Programming Board

        Aug 2015 - May 2018

      • Receptionist for the HU Creative Writing Programs Department

        Jun 2015 - May 2018

    • Self-Employed

      Dec 2015 - now
      Touring Performance Poet

      - Facilitated workshops and creative writing lectures for orgs such as Art to Reduce Mental Health Stigma at Brown University and the Undergraduate Mental Health Magazine at Harvard University**- Headlining performer for an audience of over 5,000 at Kommune's Spoken Fest in Mumbai, India (2019)- Featured poet at events for Prairie Center for the Arts, California State University, Marquette University, Macalester College, CU Denver Live!, University of New Hampshire, and Brookdale Community College**- Guest blogger for The Emily Program, The Poetry Question, and To Write Love On Her Arms**- Work has been featured by the Academy of American Poets, Ours Poetica x The Poetry Foundation, Ken Burns' PBS documentary "Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness," The Huffington Post, ELLE India, The Body is Not An Apology, TEDxMinneapolis, VICE, Yahoo News, Bustle, and The Mighty****complete lists available upon request Show less

    • Self Employed

      Nov 2016 - Dec 2022
      Editor

      Conducted virtual proofreading, editing, and publishing consultations via Zoom for individual poems and full-length manuscripts; servicing over fifty clients of diverse ages, writing backgrounds, and skill levels (November 2016 - December 2022) https://blythebaird.com/classes"I never meant to do anything with my writing, just get emotion out. But Blythe took me from words as therapy to words with intent and images with power and precision." - Elizabeth Johnson, former student-- WRITE BLOODY PUBLISHING: Delivered in-depth manuscript draft feedback for upcoming Write Bloody titles (August 2022 - Present) Show less

    • The Loft Literary Center

      Aug 2018 - Jul 2022
      Educator

      Created educational art-based literary courses for The Loft's summer programs, including serving as a teacher-in-residence for the "Bring the Loft to You" initiative, where I presented students with a curriculum of my own design to supplement Turtle Lake Elementary's preexisting learning objectivesCourses I have taught:- WRITING ABOUT PETS: In this charming class, we adopt small “desk pets” to inspire us throughout the week as we explore writing about our cutest furry (and scaly!) friends. Ages 9-11. (July 2022)- WRITING THE FANTASY WORLD: We’ll talk about the common-sense rules of writing place-based fiction (ranging from the basic laws of science to the physical limitations of characters), and how to step outside those rules to make our stories even more interesting. Grades 4-6. (June 2022)- PERFORMING AND EDITING SPOKEN WORD POETRY: In this class, we will explore strategies to create an impactful spoken word poem, collaboratively edit to prepare to take on the stage, and practice performance exercises to strengthen our delivery. Ages 13-17. (July-August 2019)- INTRODUCTION TO SPOKEN WORD AND POETRY SLAM: This engaging class centers around hands-on writing activities and creative exercises to learn the basics of poetry slam. Ages 13-17. (July 2018) Show less

    • Button Publishing, Inc.

      Aug 2018 - now
      Author

      - Author of #1 New Release "SWEET, YOUNG, & WORRIED" (2022) and #1 Best-Seller in LGBTQ+ Poetry on Amazon "IF MY BODY COULD SPEAK" (2019).

    • SEE Eyewear

      Dec 2018 - Jan 2020
      Optician

      - Won store competition for SEE credit card sign-ups, garnering 13 in a one-month period (March 2019)- Learned the basics of the optical industry including taking eyewear measurements, lensometry, placing orders to a lab, prescription analysis, adjustments/repairs, and providing customized frame suggestions- Created rotating weekly artistic advertisements on the chalkboard displayed in front of the store

    • Art Of Optiks

      Jan 2020 - Jun 2022
      Optician

      - Developed more advanced opticianry skills, such as how adjusting/selling luxury frames made of unique materials like acrylic (Kirk and Kirk Eyewear), gold-plated titanium (Leisure Society), or wood (ROLF)- Individually generated an average of over 420k in gross annual revenue- Guided patients through understanding their insurance coverage, adapting to progressive lenses, completing triage forms for optical emergencies, and troubleshooting various prescription issues- Provided extraordinary and detail-oriented service, garnering 10+ organic Google/Yelp reviews**** “I am so happy with the service I received at Art of Optiks! Blythe was so helpful in picking out amazing frames! She made me feel special throughout the entire experience!” - Monique Hawkins-Carlson (Google Reviews)** “Blythe was amazing throughout the entire process: selecting the perfect frame for my unique face shape, applying insurance wherever possible, providing ease of pick-up/final frame adjustment all the while being helpful, knowledgable, stylish, and kind.” - Katie O. (Google Reviews)** “Blythe took it all up a notch with her friendliness and attention to detail.” - O.M. (Google Reviews) Show less

    • Montalvo Arts Center

      Nov 2022 - Dec 2022
      Artist in Residence

      - Spent 3 beautiful weeks creating brand new content (both written and digital) and experimenting with form as an Artist-in-Residence at Montalvo Arts Center. My visit was sponsored by the McKnight Artists Foundation and The Loft Literary Center as an extension of my 2020 Fellowship in Spoken Word Poetry.

    • The Loft Literary Center

      Feb 2023 - now
      Storytelling and Community Engagement Coordinator

      The Storytelling & Community Engagement Coordinator establishes and promotes the Loft’s presence and builds community by developing and maintaining compelling, engaging, and accurate stories and other digital content for the Loft’s website, social media, blog, and other content channels. Additional responsibilities include coordinating public relations and media work and developing tools that advance and deepen the engagement of the community across the Loft’s programs, events, and services.

  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Blythe Baird
      Audible- Best Poetry Audiobooks for National Poetry Month Audible Apr 2022 From the Audible Editors: "Blythe Baird is a spoken word poet perhaps best known for her viral slam poems including “When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny,” “Pocket-Sized Feminism,” “Relapse,” and “Girl Code 101.” Her work, biting, incisive, and absolutely devastating, has been watched by millions online, no doubt resonating with young women across the globe. If My Body Could Speak contains poems new and familiar, each one revealing something significant about the lasting sting of trauma, the… Show more From the Audible Editors: "Blythe Baird is a spoken word poet perhaps best known for her viral slam poems including “When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny,” “Pocket-Sized Feminism,” “Relapse,” and “Girl Code 101.” Her work, biting, incisive, and absolutely devastating, has been watched by millions online, no doubt resonating with young women across the globe. If My Body Could Speak contains poems new and familiar, each one revealing something significant about the lasting sting of trauma, the universalities of girlhood, and the power of survival and self-love in a world that often demands otherwise. Her voice and delivery are as rich as ever, alternating between tones acerbic and gentle."https://www.audible.com/blog/article-best-poetry-audiobooks Show less
    • Awarded to Blythe Baird
      2020 McKnight Artist Fellow The McKnight Foundation & The Loft Literary Center Apr 2020 I was awarded a Fellowship in Spoken Word Poetry (administered by The Loft Literary Center) as well as a $25,000 grant from the McKnight Artist Foundation based on poetry from my book “IF MY BODY COULD SPEAK” (Button Poetry, 2019). Submissions were judged by Patricia Smith. https://www.mcknight.org/news-ideas/2020-artist-fellowship-award-announcements/https://www.startribune.com/5-minnesota-writers-receive-mcknight-grants/570011442/
    • Awarded to Blythe Baird
      2017 ADCAN Awards- Category Winner ADCAN x National Eating Disorders Association Oct 2017 I collaborated with my classmate (filmmaker Abby Thompson) to adapt my viral spoken word poem “WHEN THE FAT GIRL GETS SKINNY” into a powerfully vulnerable short film. The film quickly went viral. At the ADCAN Awards in Los Angeles, CA, it was the 2017 Category Winner for mental health. Our film was partnered with NEDA (the National Eating Disorders Association) to increase awareness of disordered eating/encourage early intervention. To date, the short film continues to be circulated on social… Show more I collaborated with my classmate (filmmaker Abby Thompson) to adapt my viral spoken word poem “WHEN THE FAT GIRL GETS SKINNY” into a powerfully vulnerable short film. The film quickly went viral. At the ADCAN Awards in Los Angeles, CA, it was the 2017 Category Winner for mental health. Our film was partnered with NEDA (the National Eating Disorders Association) to increase awareness of disordered eating/encourage early intervention. To date, the short film continues to be circulated on social media and has over 8.9 million views on YouTube.https://adcanawards.com/gallery/films/eating-thompsonhttps://www.fastcompany.com/40480923/these-6-psas-from-young-filmmakers-were-just-voted-best-of-the-year Show less
    • Awarded to Blythe Baird
      Art With Impact Short Film Competition- 1st Place Art With Impact Jun 2017 - Winning entry was added to the OLIVE Film Library (AWI's Online Library of Interactive Video and Engagement), known for its diverse collection of educational short films about mental health issues. https://www.artwithimpact.org/film/when-the-fat-girl-gets-skinny/
    • Awarded to Blythe Baird
      GLAMOUR Magazine x Girlgaze #NewView Film Competition Glamour Magazine and the #PoweredbyWomen initiative Apr 2017 My viral spoken word poem "Pocket-Sized Feminism" was adapted into an impactful short film/"rally call" by Motion Poems and Chilean American director Valerie Schenkman. It was chosen as one of the 5 winners selected by GLAMOUR Magazine and judges such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Lilly Singh, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Zendaya.What the judges loved: "It touched on the issues women face, through the strong and relatable voices of our mothers, sisters, and friends." —Lilly… Show more My viral spoken word poem "Pocket-Sized Feminism" was adapted into an impactful short film/"rally call" by Motion Poems and Chilean American director Valerie Schenkman. It was chosen as one of the 5 winners selected by GLAMOUR Magazine and judges such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Lilly Singh, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Zendaya.What the judges loved: "It touched on the issues women face, through the strong and relatable voices of our mothers, sisters, and friends." —Lilly Singh, entertainerhttps://www.glamour.com/story/new-view-2017 Show less
    • Awarded to Blythe Baird
      Hamline University Awards Hamline University - The Hedgeman Center Outstanding Ally Award (2018)- George Bridgman Poetry Prize (2016, 2018)- Rainbow Award for LGBTQ Leadership (2016)