Kweisi Gharreau’s voice is a powerful presence across Chicago’s West Side, where he recently performed at numerous local venues to share his deeply personal journey through poetry.
His story takes on even greater significance as September, National Suicide Prevention Month, and October, National Bullying Prevention Month, highlight the struggles many face.
Gharreau is a Chicago resident and has shared his poetry and creative work on numerous occasions across the West Side, from speaking engagements at grammar and high schools to performances at Build Chicago, North Lawndale and the Artist Cafe. Recently, he performed at the GO Chi Life DNC Block Party and the CTU Back-to-School Jam with Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Gharreau recently hosted and performed at the Poetry Peace & Pizza event at Delicious Pizza in Los Angeles Oct. 2 with his son, Navonne Love, age 15, who served as a special guest poet. Then, on Oct. 5, he gave a special performance in Las Vegas with a client of his brand strategy firm kgPR, Lulu PruPru.
Gharreau confronts his darkest thoughts of suicide, revealing how writing poetry ultimately saved my life. His spoken word single, “One Shot Away,” was a contender in seven categories for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
The story follows Gharreau, who was born Robert L. Dunlap, Jr., but changed his name to a Ghanaian one given to him by a mentor. “Kweisi” means “child born on Sunday; natural-born leader.” Gharreau carries the memory of his younger brother, James Lemar Ford, known as Lemont, who was murdered in 1992. Lemont was killed execution-style after stepping in to protect a 14-year-old girl from gang members.
The killers were caught and sentenced to life in prison, but Gharreau struggled with grief, turning to alcohol and struggling with suicidal thoughts. A spiritual moment led him to forgive the killers, which he expressed through letters and his career as a spoken word poet. Gharreau now honors his brother’s memory through poetry, performing worldwide and inspiring others.
Initially, poetry was a personal outlet, a way for him to express his emotions without internalizing the grief. As he attended poetry readings to share his work, others encouraged him to continue, sparking his deeper involvement in the art form.
“The loss of my brother was overwhelming, and poetry became the only way I could process the pain. It allowed me to express my emotions instead of holding them in, and as I shared my work, others encouraged me to keep going, which helped me find my voice,” Gharreau said.
Gharreau’s journey shifted when a client, Rick Party of radio station WGCI, moved by his positive outlook during his brother’s murder trial, invited him to share his thoughts on a local radio station.
“A client saw the positivity I held onto despite everything, and he invited me to share that on the radio. That 30 seconds turned into something bigger, opening doors I never expected, and it’s what pushed me to pursue poetry more seriously,” Gharreau said.
This led to a spoken word segment in 1993, expanding his audience. He later pursued literature at Oxford and sought the title of Chicago Poet Laureate. Though not appointed, he plans to reapply in 2025.
He now aims to use art to inspire change and awareness.
“The goal is to use art in a way that’s attractive to others, so people can look within themselves as they deal with pain, hurt, anger, or trauma. Whether they become a poet or not, writing it out — just journaling the pain — can be a powerful healing mechanism for processing those emotions,” Gharreau said.
His work received a positive response from audiences and he credits this success to his unconventional approach to poetry, moving beyond traditional formats. “One Shot Away” delves into dark themes, but also conveys hope, illustrating the fine line between despair and the pursuit of dreams.
“My approach to poetry isn’t your traditional roses-are-red style. With ‘One Shot Away,’ I touch on dark thoughts, but also the idea that I’m just one shot away from my dream. That’s what resonates with people—whether I’m talking about struggles or dreams, they can relate, and that connection is what I aim for,” Gharreau said.
Gharreau added that he’s been well-received at various performances, from the DNC Block Party to the CTU Back-to-School Jam. Recently, someone who had been living in Oxford messaged him, saying people there still talk about him 20 years after he studied abroad. Gharreau said he was surprised and humbled that his poetry continues to have such a lasting impact.
And it does, particularly in Black communities where suicide rates are rising. Gharreau said poetry and music are powerful tools for addressing mental health crises, especially in Black communities, because writing and journaling have been scientifically proven to help manage dark thoughts, depression, and anxiety.
“Writing and journaling have been scientifically proven to help manage dark thoughts, depression, and anxiety. Just to journal the pain and the hurt could be a great healing mechanism for dealing with one’s pain, hurt, anger, or disappointment,” Gharreau said.
He created a writing program called MTVP, Minimize the Thoughts of Violence Through Poetry, to teach others how to process their emotions — not from an academic perspective, but from a feeling perspective.
“We all have access to a pen and pad, and to our feelings; writing can be a powerful tool for healing,” Gharreau said.
You can follow Gharreau on Instagram at kweisithebrand.
Correction, Oct. 8, 4:54 p.m.: The article was updated to correct Kweisi Gharreau’s last name given at birth and his brother’s nickname. Dunlap is the last name and the nickname is Lemont. We apologize for the error.
Correction, Oct. 14, 12:16 p.m. The article was updated to show that “One Shot Away” was a single, not an album.
