Mario Finesse Wright

I was born in Newark, NJ and raised in the neighboring city East Orange where I met the adversities of life that took me on a whirlwind like most people in my community. It wasn't until my thirties that I came into this transformation. Now, as a poet, storyteller, and creative director, I am passionate about using the arts to empower underrepresented communities. Drawing from my own experiences, I leverage creative storytelling to amplify voices and address the challenges faced by marginalized communities. My poetry has led to a spoken word album "Spoken Rap: The Commencement" and numerous poetry videos on YouTube under Influential Productions, where I aim to deliver raw and honest narratives that inspire and uplift. I believe that childhood experiences profoundly shape our lives. Through my children's book series, I emphasize the importance of nurturing every child, reminding us that there is "no such thing as a bad child." I am dedicated to supporting young people in their creative journeys through my non-profit Beyond City Limits Inc. My book publishing and leadership has led me to guiding many others to become authors through my self-publishing workshops and as a recipient of The Canary Impact Prize in 2024, where I assisted five individuals in authoring their stories. I am currently pursuing a degree in Writing & Literature in New York City, building upon the knowledge gained through the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Scholarship. I have three children of my own and I currently reside in New Jersey.