The leTTer . The book . The movemenT

When it comes to the art of Hip-Hop Poetry, J. Ivy is considered a visionary, a pioneer, and trendsetter who has crossed artistic lines to deliver the Art of Performance Poetry directly to the doors of main-stream music and television. “Dreams Don’t Come True, They Are True” is a quote from his 2006 poem entitled “Dream BIG” and serves as J’s motivational credo. As a native Chicagoan, J. Ivy had Big Dreams for his future but never imagined that it would include a Grammy Award and the opportunity to collaborate and/or share stages with the likes of Deepak Chopra, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Jay-Z, John Legend, Jill Scott, Patti Labelle, Gil Scott- Heron, Roy Ayers, Prince and countless others.

J wrote a poem to his dad at age 5, but it wasn’t until his teenage years that he first discovered his affinity for the written art during a routine high school assignment. After discovering the talent in J’s writing, during the presentation of his poem “It Once Was A Cloud,” his English teacher demanded he share his gift on stage. There, he received a standing ovation. Since that life changing moment, J has never stopped creating. He headed to Illinois State University, where he soon became known on campus as “The Poet,” which later led him to performing throughout Chicago. In no time, J. Ivy became a staple on the Chicago arts scene.

J pressed on, becoming the 1st African-American Poet to represent Chicago on Russell Simmons HBO Def Poetry performing his captivating poem “I Need To Write.” Again he received a standing ovation and was invited back for two encore appearances on the Peabody Award winning show, which included his heartfelt poem “Dear Father” and his captivating poem “Never Let Me Down” from Kanye’s album The College Dropout.

From his breath taking performances for people of all ages to his appearances on countless television networks, J. Ivy’s passionate delivery always leaves spectators transfixed in a state of inspiration, and because of that he is recognized worldwide.

As a seasoned performer, J Ivy’s artistry is versatile, which allows him to work in array of creative outlets. From voice openings for sporting events such as: NFL’s Sunday Night Football on NBC and ESPN’s US Open, to sharing stages with the likes of Doug E. Fresh and MC Lyte, to writing a rap for

InTroducIng j. Ivy:

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Martha Stewart, to collaborating with singers like John Stephens, who J. Ivy renamed John Legend (featured on Oprah’s Next Chapter, The Howard Stern Show, and in The Ebony/Jet & Vogue Maga-zine), to being awarded a Gold Clio Award for his National Ad Campaign with Verizon, to voice-over commercials for Benjamin Moore Paint, Verizon, Nissan, and others, to being commissioned for writing and performing a poem for Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand’s 30th Anniversary Dinner. J continues to motivate and inspire all walks of life. Not only is he a poet, writer, and voice-over artist, he also integrates song, music, and art with poetry. In addition, J is humbly a superb photographer.

After touring with his first book, “HERE I AM: Then & Now,” which is a follow up to his album “HERE I AM,” J. Ivy recently inked a book deal with Beyond Words Publishing, an imprint of Atria Books & Simon and Schuster, for the January 27, 2015 release of his new book “Dear Father: Break-ing the Cycle of Pain.” With an undying fortitude to create, J. Ivy also recently released Volume 1 of his music collective “Diggin’ In The Papes” and is working on the completion of his next album “LIFE after Life.” Beyond music, television, and the touring circuit, J. continues to support community arts through his Write To Live Academy Workshop & The Dear Father Movement, which encourages young people to explore the arts.

J. Ivy is a modern day Renaissance man magically merging art and leaving a beautiful mark for the world and the future to embrace.

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Hip-hop’s favorite poet and Grammy Award–winning artist J. Ivy bares his soul in this inspirational memoir of pain transformed into healing and empowerment.

J. Ivy is a true pioneer and trendsetter who’s bridged the worlds of hip-hop and poetry through his appearances on HBO’s Def Poetry and his collaborations with Kanye West and Jay-Z. But throughout his success, he carried with him the pain of being abandoned by his father and growing up in the tough neighborhoods of Chicago’s South Side.

So he sat down with pen and paper and processed his pain the only way he knew how—through poetry. The resulting poem, Dear Father, be-came his vehicle of forgiveness and healing. It is a pivotal poem that has touched and inspired the lives of millions.

Fused with his signature raw lyricism and street consciousness, J. Ivy’s memoir, which is being

published by Beyond Words (Publisher of The Secret) an Imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, shows what it takes to deal with your emotions before your emotions deal with you. His story is personal yet universal, and will inspire others to channel whatever pain they have experienced into their own powerful gift of expression.

The book ThaT STarTed a movemenT:

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***For more InFormaTIon on The dear FaTher movemenT***PleaSe vISIT: www.dearFaTherleTTerS.com

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medIa lInkS:

Dear Father (short trailer) Dear Father (long trailer)

Dear Father Letters (Letter Writing PSA) Dream BIG

I NEED to Write Dear Father

Dear Father on HBO Def Poetry (Alt. Poem Performance) J. Ivy 2014 Film & Voice Over Reel

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medIa lInkS conTInued:

Shades & Blades Promise Stay In Your Lane

Everything Focus War

2012 Here I Am King James

Here We Are

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medIa hIghlIghTS:

HBO Def Poetry/J. Ivy Appearance Season 1 - I NEED TO WRITE

HBO Def Poetry/J. Ivy Appearance Season 4 - DEAR FATHER

HBO Def Poetry/J. Ivy Appearance Season 5 - NEVER LET ME DOWN

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celebrITy endorSemenTS:

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PreSS lInkS:

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WGNtv.comChicago leaders honor Dr. King

You & Me This MorningJ. Ivy: New Book, Dear Father

BlackDoctors.orgJ. Ivy ... #TopFive For 2015

WTTW Chicago TonightChicago Poet J. Ivy

Rolling OutSpoken word artist & writer J. Ivy

Windy City LiveJ. Ivy

WGNtv.comJ. Ivy on his road to success ...

medIa/Tv:

ImageS:

arTIcleS:

menTIonS:

Rolling Out J. Ivy’s ‘Dear Father’ concert & book...

Getty ImagesSpoken word artist & writer J. Ivy

Chicago Sun Times: http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/7/71/326847/chicago-poet-j-ivyChicago Defender: http://chicagodefender.com/2015/01/21/push-excel-celebrates-25-years-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-scholarship-breakfast/

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Arise Entertainment 360/CentricGrammy/Pbody Award ... J. Ivy

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January 8, 2015 - Urban Cusp Blog Interview booking

January 16, 2015 - Dream Big Video Release Launch

January 19, 2015 - Windy City Live Interview/Feature – ABC 7 Chicago 10am

January 19, 2015 - MLK Celebration at The DuSable Museum, Chicago, IL

January 19, 2015 - Rainbow Push Annual MLK Breakfast Meeting - Hyatt Regency in Chicago (1000 – 1500 at the event) 7:30 am

January 19, 2015 – Chicago’s Mayor’s MLK Breakfast – Downtown Chicago

January 19, 2015 – Morning Radio J. Ivy Featuring Dream Big Poem

January 20, 2015 – Power To The Village, Urbanbroadcastmedia.com 12pm – 2pm CST

January 21, 2015 – Beyond Words Google Hangout 3pm CST/1pm PST (Online)

January 21, 2015 – DePaul University MLK Celebration – 6pm

January 22, 2015 - NPR National Weekend News Edition, Weekend Edition Sunday host, Rachel Martin 11am CST

January 22, 2015 – WGN Channel 9 People to People, 2pm.

ImPorTanT daTeS:

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enjoy ThIS Free muSIc download:

January 23, 2015 – You and Me in The Morning, The U - WCIU TV (Call time 7:30 am will air at 8:50am)

January 25, 2015 - Book Concert Launch In Chicago, IL at The DuSable Museum of African American History, 6pm – 10pm CST

January 27, 2015 - St. Sabina Academy 10:30 am Dear Father Media Luncheon/Press Conference/Book Signing & Performance Media Community Event

January 27, 2015 – J. Ivy Barnes & Noble Bookstore Appearance and Autographed Copy Session signed

January 28, 2015 – Live TV Appearance at WTTW/PBS – Chicago 7pm

January 29, 2015 – WGN Morning News – Chicago -

January 29, 2015 - Joseph Beth Books, Cincinnati, OH (Public Event) 7pm EST

February 1, 2015 – Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church (J. Ivy presents Dear Father All Three Services)

February 1, 2015 - Suntimes Interview for Featured Article

February 6, 2015 - Mt. Vernon High School, Mt. Vernon, NY

February 7, 2015 - Brooklyn Museum (Public Event) Brooklyn, NY

February 9, 2015 - Central Arkansas University, Conway, AR (Campus Event) (Performance) (Private Event Only)

February 10 2015 - Memphis Chartered School Academy’s (2 campuses)1. W.E.B DuBois Charter School of En-trepreneurship at 11am and 2. W.E.B DuBois Charter School of Leadership and Public Policy at 2pm

February 11, 2015 - Main Chicago Library 6 pm “Heroes: Real and Imagined” One Book, One Chicago Initiative, Chicago, IL – WGN TV News Interview and Coverage

February 12, 2015 – Interview with Rowan University’s Radio Station, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS – FM w/Omarey at 9pm

February 13th, 2015 – Rensalher Polytechnical Institute, Troy, New York (College Campus/Students & Falculty Only)

February 13, 2015 – 30 Year Anniversary Party for Michael Jordan. J. Ivy will introduce special award to him with special commissioned piece written.

February 19, 2015 – Benjamin Jealous “Reach” Book Launch. J. Performs Dream Big & Dear Father, New York

February 20, 2015 – WOOW Radio Interview, Greenville, NC with Reggie Price at 4:30pm ET

February 25, 2015 – Bronx Library Dear Father Book Talk and Reading

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February 27, 2015 - Benjamin Jealous “Reach” Book Launch. J. Performs Dream Big & Dear Father, Chicago

February 28, 2015 – Genesis Hopeful Haven (Group Home), 3pm -6pm, Miami, FL (J. Ivy Hosting & Performing)

March 4, 2015 – J. Ivy presents Dear Father at the Word Book Store, 123 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 – 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Confirmed) (Book Signing)

March 30, 2015 – 11am ET, Be Who You Are Magazine, (Atlanta, GA) with Barbara Archer

April 3, 2015 – Food 4 Thought Poetry Series: J. Ivy Featuring with Harold Green and Singer Jahle

April 4, 2015 - Woodson Regional Library, 95th Street Library/Chicago, IL (Public Event) at 1pm

April 10, 2015 – Soul Stream Live Stream with Arnell Newman, 19035 Crawford Ave, Flossmoor, 60422 (9pm)

April 11, 2015 - The Next Live Dear Father Book Concert, 25 City Tour Kick Off – Chicago, at The DuSable Museum

April 12, 2015 - Dear Dad Dialogue with BlackDoctors.org

April 15, 2015 – 7pm CT NiaCom Internet Radio with Michael Anthony Johnson

April 24th & April 25th, 2015 – Public School Event with NFL Draft for Student Talk and Performance

May 23rd & 24th, 2015 - Sun Valley Wellness Festival

May 30, 2015 – Performance at The Cutting Room, New York

June 13, 2015 – Dear Father Presents... “72%” A dialogue/teach in

June 20, 2015 - The First Annual National Dear Dad Dialogue, Chicago, IL (Tentative)

June 21, 2015 – D.A.D.D.Y Scholarship Fundraiser (Music Festival/Outdoor)

October 3-6, 2015 – South Hampton Film Festival, NY

January 30, 2016 – One Year Dear Father Movement Celebration (Details to Come)

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