mOody bLaCk is a TEDx Presenter, Spoken-Word, Hip-Hop, and Visual Artist, Motivational Speaker, Actor, Story-Teller, and Photographer from Spartanburg, S.C.
mOody bLaCk is electrifying audiences across the country with his original poems and energetic performances. Fusing a blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, and Poetry, this talented artist delivers a unique rhythmic message in which each new listener finds common ground.
mOody bLaCk has been a performing artist since the age of twelve, and has become a prominent force on a multi-regional poetry scene through his enthusiastic live shows and strong work ethic. Moody Black has a created a buzz in the following impressive achievements:
Spoken-Word, Hip-Hop and Story-Telling:
Second place winner in the University of South Carolina-Upstate Talent Show-February 1998 and 1999;
Winner of the Coffee Beanery Freestyle Contest in Greenville, S.C- June 15, 2001 Spartanburg Poetry Slam Winner- January 10, 2004
Member of the Greenvlle SC Poetry Slam Team 2004-2019 and Slam Coach from 2006-2019
Featured poet for Band-Aids (AIDS Awareness Program) in Spartanburg, S.C.
Poem published in Still Home(Book of Spartanburg Poets)
2009 Poetry Slam Instructor for USC-Upstate’s Upward Bound Program
Competed in The Southern Fried Poetry Slam Competitions 2004-2019
Competed in PSI’s National Poetry Slam 2004-2018
Special Guest performer at the 27th Annual Evening of Talent Expressions at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Featured artist at the Travelers Rest Arts Commission annual Arts Festival October 6, 2007 in Traveler Rest, S.C.
Featured poet for the North Charleston Arts Festival May 2008
Stone Soup Story Telling Festival in Woodruff, S.C. in 2009 and 2010
Featured poet for the Annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C.
One of the featured poets for The Peace Day Festival in Charleston, S.C.
Featured poet for the annual Chautaugua Festival, 2008-Present
One of the artists that opened up for Trey Songz at The Carolina First Center in Greenville, S.C.
Performer at The 3rd Annual Millican Festival in Sumter, S.C.
TEDx presenter for Greenville SC: 2011 and 2017
Presenter for the 2011 Pecha Kucha Greenville SC
Greenville Poetry Slam Tean Grand Poetry Slam Champion: 2010, 2011, and 2012
2012 Poetry finalist in the 1st Ignite the Mic Talent Show at TD Convention Center
Slam Madness Poetry Slam Competition Champion- 2012 and 2014
2012 Grind Flu Magazine Spoken Word Artist of the year
Tied for first place in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam Slam Master’s Slam (2012 Tampa FL and 2013 New Orleans, LA)
Co-host and co-organizer of the 22nd Annual Southern Fried Poetry Slam- 2014
2015 National Poetry Awards- Winner of the "Host of the Year of an Open Mic Venue" Award
2017 All Def Poet
2017 GANSPA Award for Best Poet in the Nation
Endie Fiyah (Indie Fire) Radio Legend Award
107.3 JAMZ 2015 Black History Pioneer
96.3 The Block- 2017 Black History Pioneer
2020 South Carolina Underground Music Awards Nominee for “Best Male Model” and “Best Male Entrepreneur
2020 National Arts Integration and STEAM Virtual Conference Presenter
2019-20 Metropolitan Arts Council of Greenville SC SmartArts Teaching Artist of the Year
2020 Upstate Music Awards- "Artist of the Year" Award for Hip-Hop album "Manifest"
2022 Southern Entertainment Awards winner of "Spoken-Word Artist of the Year" Award
Metropolitan Arts Council SEW-Eurodrive Minority Teaching Artist Fellowship 2022
2023 Man of Excellence Award Gala's "Man of Excellence" Award
Theater Accomplishments:
Spartanburg School District 7 Theater Odyssey Program from 1987-1991(various roles+SC State Theater Competition Champions)
1990 Mr. Black Spartanburg Pageant Winner: Talent-Original Monologue, 1990
USC-Upstate Shoestring Player for the play Colored Museum (various roles)
1991 Spartanburg Little Theater-Best Performance nomination for roles in Colored Museum
Spartanburg County Crime Stoppers Commercial 1990
Converse College Summer Theater Camp Superior Performance Award for monologue 1990
1991 Clemson University 4-H Second Place Performance Award for monologue
Inspirational Players Community Theater Group 1991 (Brother Boxer in “The Amen Corner” by James Baldwin)
Spartanburg Methodist College Theater Group 1992 (various roles in “MacBeth Did It”)