“A Day in the Life” of YYC POP: Portraits of People’s Sheri-D Wilson

August 19, 2020 Jessica da Cunha Arts, Literature

As someone who previously worked in television news for over 30 years, I first met Sheri-D Wilson in the newsroom. Through her various positions, Sheri-D has had a long history associated with the media due to her family involvement. She has always treated my time as valuable and was always very entertaining to talk with in person, on the phone and through email.

Sheri-D has a true love for our city and the people in it which has been showcased through her time as Calgary Poet Laureate, her current legacy expansion project YYC POP and her various speaking engagements that she participates in. When Sheri-D is not writing in her basement, she can be found outside exploring Calgary and beyond with her favourite companion, her dog
Violet.

Sheri-D Over the last few months, I've been working on YYC POP expansion project. We recently received the first physical copy of the book!
Over the last few months, I’ve been working on YYC POP expansion project. We recently received the first physical copy of the book!
Sheri-D Wilson. After a great interview with Global Calgary, I had a debrief meeting with my public relations team to discuss next steps for marketing the book.
After a great interview with Global Calgary, I had a debrief meeting with my public relations team to discuss next steps for marketing the book.
Sheri-D
During COVID-19, running errands looks a little bit different. Here I’ve masked up while heading out to pick up a few things for the day.
Sheri-D. While I’ve been doing less travelling this year, I have been fueling my adventure side by spending a lot of time outdoors. One of the things I love to spend time outside doing is gardening. Here is a photo from my garlic harvest this year.
Sheri-D. While I’ve been doing less travelling this year, I have been fueling my adventure side by spending a lot of time outdoors. One of the things I love to spend time outside doing is gardening. Here is a photo from my garlic harvest this year.
SHeri-D Since media has taken to Skype meetings rather than in studio meetings, here I am right before an interview with Global Calgary. During this interview, we showcased a poem written by the mayor and had Calgarians guess who wrote it.
Since media has taken to Skype meetings rather than in studio meetings, here I am right before
an interview with Global Calgary. During this interview, we showcased a poem written by the
mayor and had Calgarians guess who wrote it.

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What ‘hood are you in?

Sheri-D Wilson currently resides in Rosscarrock, Calgary.

What do you do?

Sheri-D Wilson, D.Litt, C.M. (aka “The Mama of Dada”) is a Canadian poet, spoken word artist, educator, speaker, producer and activist. From 2018-2020 Sheri-D Wilson was Poet Laureate of Calgary. In 2019 Sheri-D was appointed one of the country’s highest honours, The Order of Canada, for her contributions as a spoken word Poet and her leadership in the spoken word community. In 2017, she received her Doctor of Letters—Honoris Causa from Kwantlen University.

What are you currently working on?

Sheri-D is currently launching her poet laureate legacy project, YYC POP: Portraits of People, gardening and writing an epic poem, 230 pages in length.

Where can we find your work?

Her work is available through her website, the library or any independent bookstores. Her legacy project, YYC POP: Portraits of People Book Launch will be taking place virtually on September 26 and 27, 2020.