Chris was recognized as a Pioneer of Poetry by the National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Award (NUSPA) in 2015. They have the rare ability to captivate audiences as a performer while also guiding communities as a host, educator, and organizer.

Their work has been featured at leading institutions such as Georgetown University, Howard University, Angelina College, and Jefferson University, as well as cultural spaces.

Beyond the stage, Chris’s impact reaches deep into community healing. They are a certified facilitator of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® program, teaching adults how to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse. Through their acclaimed workshop Writing to Wellness™, Chris empowers survivors to use poetry as a tool for healing while navigating childhood trauma.

Their advocacy and artistry have earned honorable mentions from World Childhood Foundation USA, Buddy Speaks, and End the Harvest Ministries, and they made history as the first poet ever featured in Swerv Magazine. Their voice and vision have also appeared in The New York Times, The Zebra, Canvas Rebel Magazine, and more.

With every performance, classroom, keynote, or workshop, Chris embodies love in action. They stand as a beacon of hope and empowerment amplifying the voices of survivors, youth, and marginalized communities. Through poetry, advocacy, and a commitment to positive change, Chris Thomas is shaping a more inclusive, compassionate world.

Teaching Artist Roles

• 2016 – Poetry Workshop Facilitator, Split This Rock (Washington, DC)

• 2017 – Poetry Specialist, DC SCORES (Washington, DC)

• 2018 – Teaching Artist, Change Conference (Washington, DC)

• 2019 – Resident Teaching Artist, Heard (Alexandria, VA), Teaching Artist, Carlos Rosario International Charter School (Washington, DC)

• 2020 – Resident Teaching Artist, Creative Suitland Arts Center (Suitland, MD), Summer Resident Teaching Artist, End the Harvest Ministries (Mt. Rainier, MD)

• 2022 – Teaching Artist, St. Charles High School (White Plains, MD), Teaching Artist, KIPP PCS (Washington, DC)

• 2023 – Teaching Artist, Georgetown University (Washington, DC), Lead Teaching Artist, Prince George’s Community College (Largo, MD), Teaching Artist, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (Suitland, MD)

• 2024 – Lead Teaching Artist, Brightwood Education Campus (Washington, DC), Lead Teaching Artist, Moten Elementary School (Washington, DC), Lead Teaching Artist, Chamberlain Elementary School (Washington, DC), Teaching Artist, Creative Minds PCS (Washington, DC), Lead Teaching Artist, Center City PCS – Congress Heights (Washington, DC), Lead Teaching Artist, Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Washington, DC)

Speaking & Community Engagements

• 2015 – Keynote Speaker, Child Abuse Prevention Awareness, Angelina College (Diboll, TX)

• 2016 – Keynote Speaker, Project Beacon of Hope Fundraiser (Washington, DC)

• 2022 – Keynote Speaker, Navigating Childhood Trauma Through Poetry, Prince George’s Community College (Largo, MD)

• 2022–2024 – Keynote Speaker & Pinwheel Garden Organizer, Child Abuse Prevention Awareness, Charles Hill Park (Alexandria, VA)

Publications

• Moodz’ Ring (2004)

• Voices Carry (2008)

• Coloring Outside the Lines (2013)

• Bernard’s Bedroom (2017)

• Reclamation. (2023)

• Depression Made Write This (2024)

Featured Publications

• Stoked Words: An Anthology of Queer Poetry (2018)

• Swerv Magazine (2018)

• Imagoes: A Queer Anthology (2019)

• Purple Poetry Book: A Survivor’s Anthology (2022)

• Black Minds Publishing (2022)

• The New York Times (2021)

• The Zebra (2022)

• Canvas Rebel Magazine (2023)

• Bold New Journey Magazine (2024)

Awards & Honors

• 2017 – Authorized Stewards of Children Facilitator, Safe Shores – The DC Children’s Advocacy Center

• 2019 – Literary Fellowship, Split This Rock

• 2022 – Survivor Leadership Honoree, World Childhood Foundation USA