Surrealist Blues Poet & Bandleader; Grammy-Nominated Artist; Author of "My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter"; Artistic Creative Director for V-Day

Miami, FL, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

aja monet Biography

Aja Monet is a Grammy-nominated surrealist blues poet whose work intersects poetry, music, activism, and community organizing. Monet began her career at the Nuyorican Poets Café, where she became the youngest Grand Slam Champion in the venue's history at age 19. Of Cuban and Jamaican descent, Monet is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she received the Andrea Klein Willison Prize for Poetry, and holds an MFA in creative writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Monet is the author of the poetry collection "My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter," which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry, as well as the chapbooks "The Black Unicorn Sings" and "Inner-City Cyborgs and Ciphers." She also co-edited "Chorus: A Literary Mixtape" with Saul Williams. Drawing on experiences from East New York to Palestine, Monet's poems address themes of social justice, grief, displacement, love, motherhood, and Black joy. She read the title poem from "My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter" at the national Women's March on Washington D.C. in recognition of women of the Diaspora. Monet has been recognized with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for Poetry for her cultural organizing work in South Florida.

Monet released the album "when the poems do what they do," a collection of jazz and blues poetry, and performed live on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert. Collaborators on the album include Lonnie Holley, Christian Scott, Marcus Gilmore, Samora Pinderhughes, and Weedie Braimah. Monet earned a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for this work. Her poetry collection "florida water" draws inspiration from her years living and organizing in South Florida. Monet's studio album "the color of rain" further explores the intersections of poetry and music.

As a poet and touring bandleader, Monet has performed at venues and festivals worldwide, including Guggenheim, Lincoln Center, Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and Fremantle Biennale. She has received the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for Poetry, the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award, the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award, and the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award. Monet serves as the artistic creative director for V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls. She co-founded Smoke Signals Studio, a political home for artists and organizers, and facilitates "Voices: Poetry for the People," a workshop and collective in collaboration with Community Justice Project and Dream Defenders.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/30/2026.

aja monet Videos

Inside Poet Aja Monet's Los Angeles Home

Inside Poet Aja Monet's Los Angeles Home

Poet musician and activist Aja Monet welcomed us into her Los Angeles home: a space that's part library part studio.

aja monet - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

aja monet - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

http://KEXP.ORG presents aja monet performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded February 6 2026.

Aja Monet: Live From KCRW HQ

Aja Monet: Live From KCRW HQ

When Aja Monet arrived in the Annenberg Performance Studio a hush fell over the audience.

  • How do I book aja monet to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like aja monet for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for aja monet, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for aja monet or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for aja monet

    Speaking fees for aja monet, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book aja monet are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire aja monet, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does aja monet speak about?

    aja monet is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Civil Rights, Influential Women, Music, Poetry, Social Activism, Social Justice, Workshop
  • Where does aja monet travel from?

    aja monet generally travels from Miami, FL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is aja monet’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like aja monet for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book aja monet for your next private or corporate function.
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aja monet is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book aja monet for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. aja monet generally travels from Miami, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Malcolm London, Noel Quiñones, Aisha Fukushima, Charlene Carruthers and Toni Blackman. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling aja monet for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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