Welcome back to another installment of the Rooted Minds Blog’s Spotlight Feature, where we shine a light on creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs that are making strides to take their careers to the next level. In addition to that it is a space where we can celebrate the success stories of members of our community, friends, and newly discovered creatives.
This feature is coming along with a new face to the brand. We discovered her poetry on Instagram and she recently placed first in our Spring Poetry Contest, which was sponsored by our Bravo Pay family. We are excited for what she has in store and even more excited to bring this interview to you all.
Our spotlights are a place to introduce our supporters to new creatives and brands that are making tremendous strides to success in their fields. Our goal is to continue to find stories that we can celebrate and amazing people that we can connect with.
BIO:
Rosemarie Wilson a.k.a. One Single Rose is an award-winning poet and playwright, spoken word artist, singer, actress, filmmaker and author of three self-published poetry collections, nice and naughty chapbooks. Her notable performances include the Floacist’s Flovertex and Sidewalk Festivals of the Performing Arts in Detroit, MI, Kistrech Poetry Festival in Kisii and Nairobi, Kenya, Piton International Film Festival in St. Lucia as well as touring Europe in 2012. She is currently a featured artist and songwriter with Defected Records and her poetry has found homes with various publishers such as Broadside-Lotus Press, two of the oldest African-American presses in the United States. One of her poetic dreams came true in 2021’s National Poetry Month wherein she became the first poet to be filmed in Motown Records’ legendary Studio A. Her non-profit motivational workshop series One Single Roses Bloom centers on inspiring bright young STARS and seasoned adults to fearlessly follow their passions. For more information on One Single Rose, please visit www.onesinglerose.com.
INTERVIEW: ONE SINGLE ROSE
RM: Rooted Minds
OSR: One Single Rose
RM: What has been your journey to being an artist OR owning your own business and what has been the most impactful lesson that you've learned?
OSR: I began writing poetry in the 2nd grade after winning my first poetry contest. As an adult, after a near break into the music business showed me how shady the music industry can be if you don't read the fine print, I began putting my songs on paper. I began writing poems as a woman scorned; that pain pushed me into penning motivational pieces wherein I motivated myself past heartache. Self-publishing my first poetry collection pushed me into memorizing and penning pieces of me as a spoken word artist. The transition from author to spoken word artist was performed under protest, but as soon as I opened my mouth sharing that first piece on stage, it's as if the world opened and I've been writing, singing and performing wherever my words and presence are welcomed on amazing journeys nationally and internationally. I am thankful to the word for opening so many doors. My beginnings as a poetry author brought me to spoken word which then ushered me to the stage as an actress and singer/songwriter who began writing and directing plays to producing shows and creating films. The most impactful lesson I've learned is that we have to obediently trust our gifts. They were given to us but they aren't for us--they are to be shared with the world. I have relinquished my life to following the path as poetry sees fit and it has not yet steered me in the wrong direction. Poetry is pushing me forward showing me that I can do things I never thought to do until I trusted the word.
RM: For those that may not know, how did you come up with the name or concept for your business or project?
OSR: A very good friend asked me to edit her book. When I was done editing, I shared poems with her that I had written as a woman scored. After reading the pieces which centered around heartache, she encouraged me to keep writing and gave me the pen name One Single Rose. It stuck! I'm currently in the process of trademarking my pen name One Single Rose.
RM: Tell us about your inspiration behind an upcoming project and what do you hope the audience takes away from it?
OSR: I am currently in pre-production for a poetic web series entitled #ohnotheFtheydidnt...True Stories from the Life of a Poet. The inspiration behind the series is some of the dumb shit that people do and say. What comes up doesn't always have to come out. Instead of reacting, the pen becomes a siren and sword in #ohnotheFtheydidnt, a semi-autobiographical series wherein the word speaks on my behalf. There are lessons in each episode--true stories from the life of this poet that all ages can relate to and learn from.
RM: What have been some effective ways that you've marketed yourself in your space and industry?
OSR: I strive to be different, using every gift I've been blessed with as much as possible when I take the stage. I am called upon to perform at events where promoters want to add another performance layer to their events. I don't like to say no when I'm requested to perform and will fit as many performances into one day as can be allowed. This keeps me busy, but it is indeed an honor that my presence is requested. I pride myself on being professional even when situations dictate otherwise. A positive attitude can go a long way.
RM: How have you grown as an entrepreneur or creative in the last 5 years and who's been influential in that process?
OSR: This is a loaded question. I am blessed with an amazing network of friends, family and supporters of the art that I create. Their word of mouth keeps my creative juices flowing to create new content. Whenever I ask anyone in my network to assist with anything, I haven't heard the word no yet. I am thankful. On the other hand, when you pay people to do work and they fail to deliver, that will push you into doing more things for yourself. Without sounding bitter, well, I am somewhat salty (yet thankful) bullshitters have been influential in forcing me to be creative by taking matters into my own hands. Creating digital content and film is one artistic arena I never thought I'd visit, but I was forced here after funding projects that never saw the light of day. In doing so, my babies have won awards and screened in over 25 film festivals worldwide. I'm following poetry as it leads.
RM: What are some short-term goals that you are working towards, that friends and supporters can help you with?
OSR: Sharing is caring. Tell a friend, be a friend, share a One Single Rose video or post--it doesn't cost one dime. I will be filming a video soon in Detroit for a hustle I've created for an #ohnotheFtheydidnt episode and would love help spreading the word about that. I'd like to get as many people involved as possible so that 313 can become a mantra showing love for Detroit City.
RM: What are one or two things that keep you grounded? How do you practice good self-care or how can you practice it better (if you've been lacking in that area)?
OSR: Spending time with my family keeps me grounded. I enjoy being Auntie Rose. Auntie privileges are good for three days only then they gots to go! I am honored whenever I'm booked for a show. I am humbled by every opportunity I'm blessed with. During the pandemic I've had plenty of me time, but not an actual vacation. I've only been answering when the word calls, and it keeps calling. I'm not mad, though. Although I've been traveling before the pandemic, my last official vacation was in December 2016. It's time for a break. I need to schedule more "me time." I have two massages waiting on me, one that was gifted for my birthday and another I just won during a performance. I am severely lacking in the self-care arena.
RM: What are some words of wisdom or encouragement for upcoming creative entrepreneurs that you'd like to share?
OSR: Stay true to yourself and your art--people are either going to love it or leave it. As long as you've put your best foot forward, you've done your part. Don't be afraid to be different. Don't ever give up on you. Remember that the word can't equals won't. If you tell yourself what you can't do, you most definitely won't do...
RM: What has been the best piece of advice you have ever received in reference to your career and industry?
OSR: Invest in myself. If I don't do that, how would I expect sponsors or fans to?
Thanks for your supporting and checking out this feature. One Single Rose is an amazing artist out of Detroit and she is paving the way for so many creators and entrepreneurs in the community. You can also check out her poetry, positive affirmations, and cool performance videos on social media. Her personality pours through the screen and she definitely keeps her supporters and fans entertained.
Videos by One Single Rose:
One Single Rose- Winner of Motown Mic 2014
Motown Mic: The Spoken Word, the poetic sound of young America! One forum, One mic, One winner! Sponsored by the Motown Museum.
The First Time
May 14, 2021
Do you love you? Sometimes we forget to love on ourselves. The First Time was penned as a reminder that we are beautiful and the greatest love of all happens when we learn to love ourselves. Celebrate you my dawlings. Sending you love! One Single Rose
-- This poem won first place in our Spring Poetry Contest! You can check out her poem and others here: https://www.iamrootco.com/post/one-single-rose-1st-place-winner-spring-poetry-contest
Spring 2021 Poetry Contestants | May 17th
Streamed live on May 17, 2021
We are live streaming all of the contestant submissions for this season's poetry contest sponsored by Bravo Pay and I Am Root Apparel
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I Am Root Co. is a Lifestyle Brand that specializes in events and productions for Local, Underground, and Emerging creative arts. The I Am Root Collective is made up of 7 independent artists and a blog/media team whose mission is to inspire and be inspired.
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More about Dom Root
I am from Inglewood, California, currently working in Phoenix, Arizona as a Sound Engineer (Live, Recording, and Mixing). I am a Music Producer and Creative Artist looking to build portfolio and for live performance opportunities. I graduated from Arizona State University studying Creative Writing and Philosophy. I later studied audio production technologies at Mesa Community College, before taking on more freelance work.
Dom