Meet Amber Allen-Peirson | Business Owner, Poet, Author, Public Speaker, Life Coach, Film Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Allen-Peirson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by my intuition. She is often loud like a siren blaring at the things I try to ignore or sometimes she is a subtle like an invisible current pushing, pulling, and guiding my steps. The older I get and the more familiar I become with her, the more I have learned to trust her and follow her lead. My intuition is my inspiration.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My poetry is the river that shaped all of my banks and borders, Writing for me is a form of prayer, process, and catharses which always brought clarity into some of my most confusing times and there have been a lot of confusing times. I first began writing poetry seriously on the floor of a homeless shelter, with my 5 year old, while escaping a domestic violence situation, and battling the shame that was beginning to seed in me. Poetry gave me the gardening tools to till shame and plant grace and self-forgiveness. With my poetry, I learned to create a tool that I used to empower myself in my life’s journey. Along the way, I created techniques and methods to share with others. My whole brand, my poems, coaching style, lectures, workshops, films, etc, are all about sharing the tools I have gathered with the hope of inspiring people and communities to live in their own empowerment.

One of my most critical techniques is raw vulnerability. Vulnerability is the key to releasing any hidden shame that we carry in ourselves from trauma or culture. When I am writing I try to push myself to explore the most uncomfortable parts of the feeling or experience that I am writing about and not for sensationalism, but for freedom. Exploring the darker parts of our own mind and experiences allows us to forgive ourselves and invites authentic connection into our lives. When I am vulnerable I watch other people relate and feel invited to be vulnerable themselves and in a room full of students I repeatedly watch empathy bloom when people are willing to be authentically vulnerable with one another. Empathy is critical to the healing of the whole world right now. We need to learn to tell our stories and hear others to build connection and understanding amongst humanity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To be completely honest, I am mostly a home body who likes to cook and most of my friends who visit just want to be somewhere with me where they can cuddle and catch up. However, the Bay Area is so beautiful and has so much that must be shared. I am a big fan of nature, so even though it is not in the city I am very likely to take a guest on a few hikes on Mt. Tam or the Tennessee Valley trail. Muir beach would also be a must and maybe even the Russian River up north.

For dining, there is such a range of places to explore in the Bay and the adjacent area; from the Napa wineries to a Mission burrito in San Francisco, we really do have it all. My favorite eatery at this time is a small hole in the wall spot in West Oakland called Jolly Jolly. It’s a Nigerian (West African) restaurant with some of my favorite dishes like okra stew, jollof, or suya African BBQ. I love West African spices and flavors plus the atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming. There is limited seating so I will get there early or just order to go and go to sit in one of Oakland’s amazing parks if the weather permits.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to Black Women, particularly the Black Women in my life who have pushed me, held space for my process, and encouraged my growth. Nothing I have done would be possible without my older sister Kira Allen. She truly has championed every moment of my life, whether personal or professional. So much of my courage and strength comes from knowing she has my back and offers me an infinite supply of love and encouragement. Joyce Lee, Kiki Jordan, Tiffany James, Tenisha Tate, Hawi Awash, Helena Vonk, Vivian Allen and so many more amazing Black Women in my life that keep me grounded and reflect my truth to me, which is so important in such a dystopic time. I am grateful.

Website: https://www.clearlyclarity.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearlyclarity/?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amber-allen-peirson-55577a274

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amber.allen.1656

Youtube: @clearly1clarity

Image Credits
Kristen Loken