Empowered in Verse: An Author Interview with Anjetta “Anjie” Williams-Brown

Rooted in resilience, faith, and a lifelong devotion to words, Anjetta (Anjie) Williams-Brown is a poet whose voice carries both quiet strength and transformative power. After retiring from Tennessee State University following 22 years of dedicated service as a Business Coordinator, Anjie emerged into a new season of creativity—one where poetry, purpose, and community converge.

A trailblazer in her field, Anjie made history as the first African American female in Tennessee to pass the Educational Facilities Professional examination, navigating a male-dominated industry with grace, patience, and strategic creativity. Her professional background in Medical Records Technology and Public Relations/Communications sharpened her ability to blend structure with storytelling, equipping her with the tools to make words vivid, accessible, and deeply human.

Though she had been writing since childhood, it was later in life—through encouragement from the Soul Fire Poetry Group and her own journey through illness and early retirement—that Anjie found the courage to fully claim her poetic voice. The result was her self-published debut, Pieces of Anjie: Poetry from My Soul, a work she describes as her “truth in motion”—a reflection of valleys, mountaintops, and everything in between.

Family, faith, and legacy sit at the heart of Anjie’s work. She writes to inspire, to comfort, and to preserve memories—often weaving family stories into verse for future generations. Beyond the page, she is a passionate community builder, hosting poetry platforms that uplift emerging voices and continuing the legacy of encouragement passed on to her by fellow poets.

Now expanding her creativity into handcrafted art, Anjie is the founder of SoulLine, a custom greeting card company that merges poetry with visual expression, offering messages of peace, love, and comfort. Whether through poems, performances, or carefully crafted keepsakes, her mission remains the same: to ensure that no poet’s voice is silenced and that words continue to heal, inspire, and connect.

In this interview, Anjetta (Anjie) Williams-Brown shares her journey—from breaking barriers and rediscovering purpose, to rising like the phoenix she so powerfully embodies—revealing the soul of a woman who never stopped believing in the power of words.

Background & Journey

1. You recently retired after 22 years as Business Coordinator at Tennessee State University. How did your career in higher education shape the writer and poet you are today?

During my tenure at TSU, I worked in the Facilities (Maintenance) Department.  That department requires a different type of writing. Most of the writing was of a technical nature.  Most of them included writing, designing and binding manuals, policies and procedures as well as job descriptions.  The diverse nature of my writings enhanced my “outside the box” thinking.

2. You were the first African American female in Tennessee to pass the Educational Facilities Professional exam—an incredible milestone. How has breaking barriers influenced your voice in poetry and creative work? 

I didn’t realize I had broken a barrier until one of my coworkers excitingly told me.  Facilities is a predominately male industry.  When sitting around the discussion table and you are the only female it takes patience, and a creative thought process. The key was to craft solutions in a way you didn’t seem as if you were trying to dominate the room.  You are heard loud and clear, but with a soft silent voice. In poetry, using illusive, imaginative words is the fun. 

3. You have degrees in both Medical Records Technology and Public Relations/Communications. How have these fields contributed to your storytelling or poetic approach?

Public Relations/Communications are the catalyst to my storytelling. I chose those subjects specifically with an Interdisciplinary Curriculum. With this line of study, I was able to mix and match subjects.  I was able to learn several types of writing. I wanted to make my words paint a much more vivid picture.  I needed the skills to sell myself and my work. I had those skills, but I did not feel they were sharp enough to take my writing to the many levels I was seeking.

Writing & Creative Inspiration

4. What inspired you to transition from a long professional career into self-publishing your first poetry collection, “Pieces of Anjie: Poetry from My Soul”?

Before I retired in 2022, I joined SoulFire Poetry Group.  This is a very nurturing group. They gave me my voice.  I had been writing stories and plays since I was 12 but I only started writing poetry in my 20’s.  I never had formal training I could just write. I never shared my words.  They made me see my voice was as good and as important as any known or unknown poet. Illness forced me to retire early.  I have never been one to sit and do nothing.  So, through encouragement I wrote the first edition. I was not as satisfied as I should have been with the book.  Being motivated by multi-book female poets, I decided to redo Pieces of Anjie.  I am sooo proud of it. 

5. How would you describe your poetic style and the themes you feel most compelled to write about?

My writings are divided into three (3) types: 1) inspiration 2) family 3) just for fun. I write to comfort those who have had to smile through the storm.  No matter which type poetry I choose to write, it will always provide something inspiring. 

6. Can you share a moment or experience that first sparked your love for poetry?

My grandmother was a Helen Steiner Rice fan. I was always at my grandmother’s house. She had Helen’s books and cards were all over her house.  She would creatively find a way to use her words as decoration. Her words were so soothing. That is where I first really became interested in making others feel good with words.  I was 33 before anyone in my family ever knew I was a poet.

7. Do your personal history, family roots, or cultural background play a significant role in shaping your poems?

I am always writing poems about my family.  I put memories and family stories in verse to pass down to my grandchildren.  I write about my grandkids. My family is very important to me.

Community & Platforms

8. You are active in numerous organizations such as Soul Fire Poetry Group and Toastmasters, and you currently host several poetry platforms. How important is it for you to create spaces for poets to be heard?

A poet’s voice is the loudest yet gentlest voice.  A poet can write about a circumstance, tragedy, or protest topic in a manner that captivates the world’s attention. A poem can tell a story is a short but creative way that it is enjoyable to read.  Books tend to intimidate some readers. A poet’s voice can save the world.  We should never allow ourselves to be silenced.  

9. What do you enjoy most about hosting poetry events, and how do these interactions fuel your creativity?

It was never my intention to be a host of any type.  I never thought I had the ability to host anything.  My dear friend Rawle Iam James saw something in me I didn’t see in myself.  He knew his time on earth was short, he decided to leave his legacy for me to continue.  I have done everything to continue his legacy in a manner I know he would be proud.  I in turn try to encourage poets and artist to step out of their comfort zone by spotlighting them on my shows.  I try to be as comforting as possible, so they can see their value like Rawle showed me my value.

Soul Line & Creative Entrepreneurship

10. You’re now using your poetic gift to build a handmade/custom greeting card company called SoulLine. What inspired this new venture?

I have always been a crafter. I wanted to find a way to give my words to those who don’t want to buy a whole book.  I started out making gifts to comfort those who have lost a love one. Then I decided I wanted to write greeting cards, but I didn’t want to work for anyone.  I did research and bought various equipment. I am also working with my eight (8) year old granddaughter and eleven (11) year old grandson creating children’s greeting cards.  It is will be a way for them to learn how to have a business. 

11. How do you merge poetry with visual or crafted art in your greeting cards? You mentioned wanting to publish a series of inspirational poetry across various mediums. Can you share more about these upcoming projects?

As stated before I love to craft.  I have been designing coffee mugs, plates, various other items with excerpts of my poetry.  I design custom gifts with custom poems. I do a variety of decapods. I am working on a family journal. A section for all ages. My grandkids are helping me with this. 

12. What message or feeling do you hope people receive when they hold a SoulLine card? 

I want every card, whether just for fun or inspirational to give the feeling of peace, love, and comfort starting with the cover. 

Publishing & Future Projects

13. What was the most meaningful part of self-publishing your debut poetry book?

The most meaningful part of publishing my debut poetry book was the fact that I had faith enough to publish it.  I printed and bound that book. This second (2) edition has so much more flavor and I designed the cover myself. This book is my truth in motion—a journey through the valleys and mountain tops.  This book is most definitely a large piece of me. 

14. What advice would you give to emerging poets who dream of publishing their own work?

I would tell an emerging poet to always believe in themselves and above all put God first.

Personal Reflections

15. You love writing, performing poetry, and spending time with your grandchildren. How do these joys influence your creative life?

I see a story that translates into a poem in every phase of life.  The good, bad, and indifferent. I see poems all around me every day. That includes how the ant got across the floor.   I could sit and write all day everyday and never run out of words.

16. What keeps you grounded, inspired, and motivated during creative challenges?

Writing has always been my refuge.  There was a time that working two (2) full time jobs and raising my kids and a grandchild consumed me totally. But I had to stop and reconnect myself to my spiritual roots. In reconnecting to my spiritual roots, my mind opened like someone turned on a valve and open the flood gates. Words poured out of me forming a continuous river of phrases, sentences, creativity and good vibes.

17. If you could describe "the soul of Anjie" in just a few words, what would they be?

The words that could describe “the soul of Anjie” would be resilient like the Phoenix bird. Always rebirthing and rising from the ashes, never giving up, always vigilant

for good and truth.