Pamela Beebe

I have worked with Wakefield for several years and I recommend him as the future Poet Laureate for Calgary.  I first met him when I was living in Dover where I had moved to in August 2009.  I worked and/or volunteered in the non-profit sector for more than 10 years.  At that time, our family was living below LICO and struggling to pay rent monthly.  We had no vehicle and we often could not afford public transportation.  Our children were in elementary school and we wanted to enroll them in after school programs.  However, every program we tried, there were barriers, either fees, transportation and/or meals while at the program.  We decided just to start our own program and we called it Dover Kids Club.  We ran it for over 2 years and relied on generosity of our neighbours.

Wakefield was one of our supporters.  He came in first as a one-time only event, until we received feedback from the students that they were “amazed” by him.  Wakefield agreed to come in on a regular basis to continue teaching the students.  He influenced several of them to pursue spoken word as an art.  Even after Dover Kids Club was discontinued, he came into the community at various venues to hold classes with the community.

Wakefield is a patient, kind teacher, a thought-provoking writer and a fascinating performer.  I have recommended him to several different organizations as they looked for a medium to convey their messages.  He shares his knowledge of living down East in Canada, his family values and his experience with discrimination all with humour and kindness.  He is trustworthy, dependable and always willing to assist when he can.  We continue to recommend him as a Spoken Word Artist at every opportunity.

Sincerely,

Pamela Beebe