Noelle Aiisa Berry
Noelle Aiisa Berry, artiststically known as “Aiisa la Mala”, is a 2011 Alum from Oak Park and River Forest Highschool. During her highschool career Noelle performed in 8 of the 12 spokenword showcases and was captain of 6 of those 8. Noelle was also able to compete and perform at the Tatse of Chicago being a proud member of the Spoken Word Club’s hip hop wing. During and through her highschool and College careers she’s preformed at Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakes, Victory Gardens Theatre and many others singing, acting, dancing and writing. Noelle is now a business owner and entrepreneur running a tech based financial firm coast to coast and in Puerto Rico with her family. She has been integrating the “Respect the Mic” culture with her business, business partners and agents for over 5 years. With her love of the city of Chicago, her community and her family, she wants to continue the Respect the Mic Legacy Creating, Leading and Educating globally.
The impact of poetry and the spoken word club
I was always the kid who had notebooks of poems and songs and lyrics tucked away where nobody could see. I was an incredibly shy kid and wasn’t to convinced anybody would want to listen to what I had to say. I was used to memorizing and singing and even interpreting someone else’s words and emotions. When it came to my own thoughts I was intimidated. I still had a fire in my belly that I couldn’t put out. When I met Mr. Kahn he saw right through me almost immediately and challenged the leader in me. I’m forever grateful for Mr. Kahn and the founders of the spoken word club. Simply put, spokenword club, the culture and the art of poetry saved my life and kept me in school. Rowdy, rambunctious and full of raw talent, I was given a space to grow and be natured. That 14 year old needed a place to be a leader to even dream of leading tens of thousands now.
Top favorite poets or lyricists
I’ll forever love Gordon Sumner, more commonly known as Sting. He just writes timeless music. His lyrics have hidden gems in them that I’m still discovering.
A. Van Jordan wrote one of my favorite poems of all time, “From.” Meeting him, and hearing him read it aloud cemented that piece in my mind. The entire book Magnolia completely expanded my thinking on poetry and what was possible.
As a lover of hip hop and it’s culture it’s difficult to pick just one Rapper or MC. However, Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation to this day is, in my opinion, one of the best albums ever made. I started rapping at 6 years old because of that album.
Connect with Noelle IG
Writing Prompts
Write about a time someone helped you discover your voice
Write about a time you felt insecure about your appearance or your abilities
Write about an adult figure in your life that believed in you before you believed in yourself
Write about a part of yourself that you were ashamed of in the past but are now proud of