The Poet Life presents
You Don’t Want That Smoke
Turning Art Into Action & Advocacy for a Tobacco-Free Future
Adding Value to the Tobacco Control Movement
The Poet Life is proud to be a vital force in the Tobacco Control movement through the transformative power of spoken word and creative strategy. Our signature program, “You Don’t Want That Smoke,” brings together poets, artists, educators, and organizations to raise awareness, shift culture, and empower communities—especially youth—to take a stand against Big Tobacco.
Founded by Christoph Jenkins, who also serves as Creative Strategist on the Board of AATCLC (African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council), The Poet Life has strategically aligned the arts with public health through a growing body of impactful, advocacy-driven projects.
Through spoken word, visual storytelling, workshops, and national campaigns, we creatively expose the dangers of tobacco and menthol use in vulnerable communities. We don’t just educate — we activate.
What We’ve Done
“The Poet Life will help you turn statistics into stories and artists into advocates.”
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Our youth workshops use poetry as a powerful tool for self-expression, education, and advocacy. In schools and recreation centers, we engage students in dynamic sessions where they explore the real impact of tobacco and menthol in their communities — then turn their insights into spoken word art.
These workshops don’t just teach poetry; they cultivate confidence, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of public health. Young voices become change agents — loud, creative, and fearless.
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We awarded grants to 10 diverse artists nationwide to create bold, original art projects that confront the influence of Big Tobacco in their communities. These projects combined visual art, poetry, film, and performance to educate and mobilize in unforgettable ways.
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When poetry meets policy, transformation happens. Our poets have used their voices at hearings, rallies, and public health forums — putting human stories behind the statistics to influence real change. Words are powerful. We use them to protect lives.
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Our digital contests break geographical barriers, inviting poets from all over the country to share powerful, tobacco-control-themed work. With national reach and community-level impact, these contests build awareness, spark dialogue, and uncover new voices in the movement.
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From middle schoolers to seasoned spoken word veterans, we’ve hosted local poetry events that center truth, creativity, and community healing. These events give everyday people the mic to speak out and stand up against tobacco harm.
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More than a showcase — this is a curated experience. Our exhibitions blend powerful poetry, visual storytelling, and multimedia art to immerse audiences in the realities of tobacco’s impact. It’s advocacy as art, and art as action.
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We don’t just create content — we build campaigns that move people. As trusted consultants, we help health organizations and advocacy groups develop creative strategies that amplify their mission and connect with communities in a culturally relevant way.
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We’re hitting the road — taking our spoken word advocacy tour across the country. With each stop, we engage local communities in powerful performances, workshops, and conversations that inspire resistance and raise awareness.
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What happens when you combine purpose with performance? A Poetry Jam Fundraiser. These vibrant events bring communities together through entertainment, storytelling, and giving — raising both awareness and funds for a tobacco-free future.
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Unexpected. Unapologetic. Unforgettable. Our poetry flash mobs bring advocacy into the public square — with sudden spoken word performances that stop people in their tracks and ignite conversations that matter.
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From short films to interactive media, we produce cinematic, story-driven content that fuses poetry with advocacy. Our productions help organizations tell their stories in ways that resonate emotionally and culturally — moving audiences to act.
Poetic Productions
“Watch how we empower artists to find their voices and create lasting impact!”
Chicago
Los Angeles
Detroit
Maryland
Mini-Grant Programs
A National Campaign Where We Granted 10 Artists $500 Each To Create Art, Events, & Projects of Their Choice
Original Song | Gloves Off by Ami Miller
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Hip Hop Artist and Songwriter, Ami Miller, is a highly talented and influential artist with a strong commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people. The primary objective of this artistic project is to create original music that educates and informs the target audience about the detrimental consequences of tobacco usage. The music will convey powerful messages to discourage smoking and promote tobacco-free living.
Original Song: Smoke & Mirrors
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
The heart of this project, titled "Smoke & Mirrors," is a song of the same name that shares my journey of battling tobacco addiction, particularly during bouts of depression and anxiety. It also reflects on over coming this habit, which had adverse effects on my voice and health. The song uses symbolic elements like the sound of lighters, coughing, and hoarse vocals to vividly illustrate the detrimental effects of smoking.
Song & Special Podcast Episode
MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS
This project directly addresses the theme of combatting big tobacco in the black community by targeting a specific demographic-the black LGBTQ community. This community faces unique challenges and disparities related totobacco use, and our project will shed light on these issues while providing a platform for empowerment and change. I feel that sometimes there can feel like exclusion to the Black LGBTQ community when discussing Black issues. With this project I want to speak to a forgot en sector that will benef it from sharing these resources
A Youth Art Workshop
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
The workshop will equip teenagers with the skills and confidence to say no to tobacco when faced with peer pressure. Topics include refusal strategies and healthy alternatives. The teens will learn about the dangers of smoking and how to resist peer pressure while giving them a chance to express themselves.
A Comic Video Illustration
POMONA, CALIFORNIA
The overall look of the illustration has a colorful comic book-look with thought-blurbs directing the narrative that runs through statics, mentions the various reasons why people should not smoke, and the ultimate consequences of doing so! The ultimate presentation of the narrative is one that the artist personally went through during his youth and young adult life; his battle to quit smoking! Although he heard about the dangers and consequences of smoking, he recalled not images directed specifically toward him, an AfricanAmerican male---a group, percentage wise, is higher than most, and his age group to stops moking.
"Breath of Contrast: Healthy vs. Smoker's Lung Art Installation”
MT. RAINER, MARYLAND
Breath of Contrast: Healthy vs. Smoker's Lung Art Installation" is a visually striking and thought-provoking artistic endeavor with several key objectives. This colossal installation, which will stand 3 to 4 feet tall, will vividly depict the stark contrast between a healthy lung and a smoker's lung. The Healthy Lung, meticulously crafted, will serve as a symbol of vitality and well-being. It will be adorned with abundant natural, organic vegetables and fruits, signifying the importance of atobacco-free lifestyle in preserving lung health. By showcasing the beauty and abundance of ahealthy lung, our objective is to inspire and educate viewers about the positive impact of making healthy choices
A Youth Coffee House
WILMINGTON, DELEWARE
The CAUSE Production Crew, a youth video production after-school program in Wilmington, Delaware had a coffee house in our theater, The CAUSE Theater at Bellevue. The whole evening was an anti-tobacco celebration and the hosts mentioned that between each performance. This show included live music, poetry readings, dance, and any other art form that can be performed on the stage.
Street Poetry & Youth Workshop
RANCOCAS, NEW JERSEY
The ultimate presentation of the narrative is one that I personal went through during my youth and young adult life; my battle to quit smoking! Although I heard about the dangers and consequences of smoking, I recall not seeing images directed specifically toward me, an African American male---a group, percentage wise, is higher than most, andmy age group to stop smoking. Therefore, I believe that young people respond, to a greater degree, to images that they can relate to. That is why the images shown within my illustration is directed right to the teenage group.
A CHORAL SONG CYCLE
HAMMOND, LOUISIANA
My primary area of expertise is a composer is in the world of choral music. Over the years, I've developed an extensive collection of music mostly for choral ensembles. This project is more than simply a choral composition; it's a story that delves into the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, perseverance, and the effectiveness of communication. I envision a set of songs with two soloist, a live piano , percussion, and an SSAA chorus.
Documentary | “Up In Smoke”
COLUMBUS, OHIO
A short Film that incorporates poetry, monologue, and photography in an abbreviated narrative illustrating how the tobacco industry preys on the black community. In this, we explore the ways the tobacco is presented to us.
Impactful
Poetry Events
"Uniting Communities Through Poetry, Purpose, and Collective Power."
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths — and Fighting Cancer With Poetry was created to confront that reality through the power of spoken word. Originally launched as a standalone nonprofit, this program now lives under The Poet Life umbrella, using poetry to raise awareness, honor lives affected by cancer, and mobilize communities toward prevention and healing.
By connecting cancer awareness with tobacco control, we help audiences understand the real-life consequences of Big Tobacco’s impact — especially in Black, Brown, and underserved communities.
Through performances, tribute showcases, and poetic campaigns, we turn emotion into education and stories into tools for change.
This isn’t just about poems. It’s about saving lives.
