In 2026, Lady Brion was named an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow. Lady Brion, in partnership with renowned spoken word poets Kenneth Something and Slangston Hughes, will finish the first edition of “Elements of Poetry,” an innovative workbook designed to teach specific approaches to producing spoken word poetry. “Elements of Poetry” narrows poetry into four distinct writing styles and believes every writer of poetic expression has two elements that they naturally use—a primary and a secondary strength, or organic style and overall approach as a writer. In this unique workbook, each poetic element is clearly identified, and readers are supported with writing techniques to harness primary and secondary elements, or explore the remaining elements to expand and diversify their writing style. This text will serve as both an anthology of phenomenal poets representing the four styles that are present in spoken word as well as a guide to help the reader become a better poet. In addition to publishing “Elements of Poetry,” the authors will conduct a local tour, performing and hosting workshops to help students master the various elements and create new works.