Tymmarah Anderson
Hi there! My name is Tymmarah, but most people call me Tymmy. I was born and raised in Chicago, but moved to Oak Park with my mother to attend OPRFHS. There, I discovered my love for poetry and spoken word as a dedicated member of the Spoken Word Club and 2-time member of the Slam Team. From there, I went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, where I graduated with a degree in Anthropology (concentration in Research Methods) and a minor in Informatics.
During my time at UIUC, I was involved in a writers organization called Writers Organizing Realistic Dialect (W.O.R.D.) and quickly became a leader in the space. By my sophomore year, I was Vice President of W.O.R.D., and eventually became President, all while joining the best sorority in the world, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As a collegiate member of my sorority, I became the Arts and Letters Chair, hosting events like open mics and paint & sips for the community.
After graduation, I returned home to Chicago where I worked as a Content Writer at Neighborhoods.com. Not long after, I transitioned to my current (and dream) job as a Research Advisor at dscout, where I get to help some of the biggest companies in the world run important user experience research that improves their products and services. For about a year, I served as a contributing writer for The Pedestal Project LLC, discovering new ways to create art through blog writing. In my free time today, I enjoy writing poetry, playing my piano, and going to bottomless brunch with my friends. I’m constantly searching for new ways to showcase my art and love for content creation, so be on the lookout for my new projects soon!
The impact of poetry and the spoken word club
I had no clue that one day in English class would change my life forever. When PK came to my class for a poetry workshop, I didn’t even think I knew how to write a poem, none the less that I’d love it. I joined the Spoken Word Club not too long after and it felt like I found home. As a child, the word “home” was always ambiguous to me, since I often bounced between 3 homes all in a week’s span. The Spoken Word Club was a home I could count on. It was also a place that introduced me to other marginalized identities, and inspired me to become the advocate I am today.
Writing Prompts
Write about a time you tried to help someone who didn’t want your help
Write about how the environment you grew up in. How did it influence who you are today?
Write about someone who is difficult to love but you love them anyway
When Slam Team tryouts came around sophomore year, I had no intentions on trying out. Truthfully, I didn’t think I was good enough, and had convinced myself that I had no interest. PK made me tryout anyway with an old poem I had written, and I was devastated not to make it that year. It was then I realized being on the team was something I truly wanted. Junior year rolled around, and I was dedicated to making the team — and I did! When I made the team Senior year as well, it was special, because I got to share the moment with my 2 best friends who also made the team. The most life changing moment I had on Slam Team was performing my poem “Terrorists” at LTAB finals in 2015 as a sacrificial poet. A young woman from Nigeria had been in the crowd and was blown away by my poem which featured some of the political issues people in Nigeria were facing. She was so grateful to me for telling her story and we quickly became pen pals. I could never imagine my words would impact someone that way, and I never forgot the feeling of empowerment it gave me.
Poetry and I became even closer in college. When I battled depression sophomore year, poetry became my center. When I was looking for an out in a toxic relationship, poetry became my safe haven. Poetry connected me to life long friends who shared the same passion for art and it pushed me to lead organizations like W.O.R.D. and the Arts and Letter Chair in my sorority. I never knew putting words on a piece of paper (or in the notes app on my phone) would be so life-changing, but I wouldn’t have discovered my love for poetry had it not been for the Spoken Word Club.
Top favorite poets or lyricists
Three Favorite Poets:
Steven Willis: Hearing his poem “How the Hood Loves You Back” is like hearing it for the first time every time. I’ll never forget the impact it had and continues to have on me.
Jasmine Mans: Jasmine was one of the first poets I heard that made me fall in love with the art of poetry. She is still one of my biggest inspirations today.
Patricia Smith: Reading poems from Patricia Smith in Spoken Word Club truly taught me the power of words on paper. It feels like every word she writes jumps out at me and I continue to learn so much from her as a poet.
Three Favorite Lyricist:
J-Cole: Anyone who knows me, knows I’ve loved J. Cole since "The Come Up." His consistent message of love in life spoke to me right away and he’s been my favorite artist ever since.
Lucky Daye: I’ve never felt so connected to someone's music the way I have with Lucky's. I listen to his album "Painted" every single day. No joke!
Chance the Rapper: The man truly has a unique way with words. Listening to Acid Rap in high school gave me a whole new outlook on lyricism.