In Volume Six: Chapter Five of The Program, we welcomed Story Teller Gordon —a New York-based Community Activist, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Author of the poetry collection "Don't Speak For Me", and founder of FORM NYC, a nonprofit that blends poetry, public health, and community healing. With a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management, Gordon is a multidisciplinary creative who uses his art and voice to create spaces for connection, conversation, and care.
In our conversation, we discuss his poetry origins in 2020 during the height of the virtual open mic era, how he discovered poetry as a form of emotional clarity, and why relatability—not just catharsis—is central to his work. Gordon opens up about his unique writing process, the discipline it takes to create with intention rather than emotion, and how performance, for him, is more about conversation than theatrics.
We also explore FORM NYC, the community-centered nonprofit he founded in 2018. From campaigns like "Stop Street Harassment" to "My Brother is Calling" and "Safe Space", Gordon shares the motivations behind creating programs that support the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of young men—especially in a time where masculinity is being redefined and often misrepresented.
Contact Story Teller Gordon:
Instagram: @storytellergordon
Website: storytellergordon.com
Recorded Spoken Word Performances Featured Include:
Khalil Saaqiq – Who Am I
Instagram: @khalil_saaqiq
Kelsey Bigelow – A Grandfather's Hands
Instagram: @kelkaybpoetry Website: kelkaybpoetry.com
Shanelle Gabriel – Daddy's Girl
Instagram: @shanellegarbriel Website: shanellegabriel.com
Story Teller Gordon – New Year's Resolution
Story Teller Gordon – Closure
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