Jessica is a 3rd generation Beatnik... a Beat Poet from the lines of Jack Spicer to Paul Vangelisti, and the heartbeat of the visual Muse and Master Poet, Maurya Simon. She completed her BA in Creative Writing and Art History from the University of California, Riverside in Riverside, CA, and obtained her Master of Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA. In 2009 she founded the Los Angeles Poet Society and began a string of literary events and open mics such as: Writers' Row: The DTLA Artwalk's Showcase of the Written Art, SoapBox Poets Open Mic, Salon @ NoHo, Gallery 19, LAPS Presents on Full Spectrum, and Writer Wednesday. She teaches poetry with California Poets in the Schools, the oldest non-profit dedicated to the empowerment of our youth in CA, and also teaches Poetry and Expression with the non-profit group, New Earth Organization, with a mission to provide a safe space for youth empowerment and transformation to end the recidivism of youth incarceration in LA county. Jessica teaches in the F.L.O.W. poetry program. Her books of poetry include: What Breathes, Raw Kit, Marie Morrison, and most recently, Serious Longing, published by Swan World Press in Paris, France. Jessica is an International Poet!