Damont Combs, a poet and advocate for pay equity for poets, created Tell Your Truth, an organization that uses poetry as a vehicle for change and building community.

Tell Your Truth’s award-winning open mic events, founded by Damont, have grown in impact and engagement, attracting an average of 150 guests each month. Through their programming, they provide spaces for creative expression, personal growth, and community building. But it’s not just about the poetry. Research has shown that participating in poetry-related activities can improve one’s mental health, promote self-expression, and foster a sense of community and belonging.

Damont’s own journey with poetry began at Johnson & Wales University, where he utilized several Poetry-focused Nonprofits to develop his own performance and writing abilities. This experience opened his eyes to the life-changing impact nonprofits can have on the communities they serve. After college, Damont continued excelling in poetry and realized that organizations that prioritize the sustained well-being and advancement of artists are limited and needed. In late 2022, Damont and four founding board members formed Tell Your Truth as a registered 501(c) (3) organization called “Tell Your Truth” after the open mic he had been running for 4 years prior.

Through Tell Your Truth, Damont and his team are piloting innovative workshops and seminars related to youth education, mental health, and emotional well-being in education and the workplace. They believe that the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of artists and community members is essential for them to thrive. By providing a space for creative expression and personal growth, Tell Your Truth aims to improve the mental health and well-being of our community.