Natalie E. Illum

Natalie E. Illum is a poet, activist and storyteller living in Washington, DC. She is a founded board member of the mothertongue poetry series, a DC women's open mic that lasted 15 years. Her work has appeared Word Warriors: 35 Women of the Spokenword Revolution and Full Moon on K Street, as well as in Feminist Studies and on NPR's Snap Judgment. She has competed on the National Poetry Slam circuit since 2008, and is the 2013 Beltway Grand Slam Champion. Natalie has performed with many artists across the US, including Michelle Tea, Eileen Myles, Buddy Wakefield and Andrea Gibson. Her writing centers around disability, identity and autobiography. She has an MFA in creative writing from American University, and teaches workshops in a variety of venues. www.natalieillum.net."