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Gayle Danley

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Gayle was born in New York City, and at age 8 months, moved with her family to Atlanta, Georgia. She won her first pubic speaking contest in 7th grade and studied broadcast journalism at Howard University’s School of Communications where she graduated cum laude. After working as an assistant magazine editor for the National Rifle Association, she left Washington, DC to study Radio, Television and Film at Syracuse University, earning a Master's Degree. It was not until after she finished school that she learned about Slam poetry. After only slamming for a couple of months, Gayle went on to win the 1994 National Poetry Slam Championship (then taking place in Asheville, NC). In Heidelberg, Germany, she became the 1996 International Slam Poet Champion.

Feeling blessed to be able to share her talent and motivational words with audiences across the country, Gayle launched her one-woman show, "Brilliance," touching thousands with her Slam Poetry workshops, lectures, performances and speeches. Gayle has published three books: "Naked," "Soulfull—A Slam Poetry Study Guide," and "Passionate - Poems You Can Feel."

In addition to her motivational speaking and college performances, she has maintained a constant tour of elementary and secondary schools, helping students with traumatic experiences and teaching workshops on Slam poetry to all age groups. A feature story on Slam poetry was presented on the CBS show, 60 Minutes in 1999, which spotlighted her classroom work and riveting performance. Her keynote and lecture series fuses her poetry with the ability to touch her audience through real life experiences, leaving a lasting emotional message with her audience.

Gayle's explosive style combines movement and emotion as she performs her magic on the audience, sweeping them up in her words as she addresses and explores contemporary issues.