Tavares as a Poet and Songwriter/Music Producer
Tavares is a unique poet and spoken word performer who’s stirring and profound poetry helps listeners and readers realize that every challenge and trial is a pathway to triumph. His poetry runs the gamut of the human condition from politics to love to family to overcoming trials and spirituality. He also weaves the art of storytelling into his work by relating his poetry to stories and experience that have shaped him as an artist, classroom teacher and servant. He is a former member of Poetry Atlanta’s National Slam Team and was featured on “Spoken”, a nationally broadcasted cable television show highlighting poets whose voices are blessing and inspiring the masses.
He is also a modern day psalmist whose amazing journey as a songwriter, poet, and producer illustrates how the grace of God’s births gifts meant bless and inspire. Since 2009, Tavares has steadily written and co-produced a catalog of music that at its core is the message of the Gospel and a true gift of inspiration. It is filled with melodies, arrangements, lyrics, and poetry that speak of the love and redemption of God, the joy of salvation, and the power and guidance we receive because we are God’s children.
Evoking the spirit of the Psalms, The Ascension Project is a compilation aimed at worshiping God through music, song, and poetry. The Ascension Project reminds listeners that communion with God can ignite their faith in order to uplift, heal and overcome. It is a testimony of the love, grace, and redemption of God expressed as notes, melody, and verse. The project is written by Tavares Stephens, executive produced by Tavares Stephens and John Beal, and produced by Tavares Stephens and Kristofer Goodall. The Ascension Project features the dynamic vocals of Mathina Mitchell, Michael Mahaffey and D’liverance, Darriel Bailey, Tiffany Adams, and Jason Sylvain. It also features the inspirational poetry of Tavares Stephens. Once you listen, you will be blessed, and you will remember that you were born to ascend.
Tavares as a Writer & Author
Tavares is a co-writer of Reading Revolution, a book of biographies covering important contributions from the African Diaspora. He is the author of Soulfood Café, a book of poetry featuring poems on social, political, and spiritual awareness. Tavares has also worked as a freelance columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is a freelance curriculum writer and trainer for The Learning Together Company, which helps to raise student achievement in the areas of reading and math.
Tavares as a Minister
Tavares’ desire to lead others to Jesus Christ and help them to understand their divine worth in Him has been at his core since a youth. He is currently an Associate Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in the metro-Atlanta area and is a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Tavares as an Educator and Mentor
Tavares combined his passion of helping others and teaching to transform student lives for over 15 years. He has been featured multiple times in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for his service as an educator and mentor to youth in the metro-Atlanta area.Tavares has been an educator in the metro-Atlanta area and currently consults organizations and teacher groups on mentoring, dealing with African American males, and integrating character education into the curriculum and much more. His proven unique teaching and mentoring methods are based on his personal notion that all children can learn and reach their potential if nurtured positively and consistently.
Tavares combines his passion of helping others and teaching to transform his students’ lives daily. He has been featured multiple times in the Atlanta Journal-He presents to teachers, schools and civic groups on:
- Using creative writing to improve achievement & reduce dropout rates of at risk youth
- Developing mentoring programs in classrooms and schools
- African American male student development
- Differentiated teaching styles
- Using classroom curriculum as tools to develop student leaders
He is the co-founder of VeralEyze, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves to foster, promote, and support the development and professional growth of emerging young adult writers. Through its Writers Cooperative, VerbalEyze helps young writers and performers by providing access to public performance spaces, writers workshops, and publication opportunities.
For more information about VerbalEyze and the Writer’s Cooperative, visit the VerbalEyze website