Capturing the poetry scene by storm at the young age of 19, Daye performed at her first open mic at Yancy’s Night Club in Raleigh, North Carolina. Shortly afterwards came the release of her first book, And You Thought You Had Problems: Well This Is My Life, (January 2004) Spoken Word, coupled with her book, directed her path towards community activism, poetry slams, theatrical performances, community organizing, workshop facilitation, media marketing, and the rise of a radio personality—all talents she never knew she possessed.
Since dedicating her life fulltime to the gift of poetry and the women’s movement, Daye has featured at many of the local poetry venues, universities, (North Carolina Central University, University of Chapel Hill, Meredith College, NC State University, Shaw University, Duke University, University of Vermont, University of Denver, University of Pembroke), churches (Union Baptist, Victorious Praise, Mount Zion AME, Compassion Ministries, Trinity AME, New Hope Baptist, New Life Community Church) and venues from coast to coast (Albuquerque, New Mexico, Vermont, Chicago, Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, Montgomery, Alabama, Jacksonville, Florida, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Manhattan, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina, Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and many others) in the span of 10 years. She has been a guest feature on several local and national radio programs were she raises awareness on women’s issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, HIV prevention, and gang violence. Daye has Organized for and performed at Bimbe, Centerfest, Martin Luther King Festival, National Organization for Women, Hip-Hop Feminist Nation, Durham Parks and Recreation Community Day, Juneteenth, and many other events. Daye has graced stages with legends of poetry such as The Last Poets in 2007, and been an opening act for Adina Howard, and Ky-mani Marley.
As the founder of STANDUP- SPEAK OUT, Monica's personal mission is to speak out and act out against sexual violence and domestic abuse. STANDUP-SPEAKOUT (S.U.S.O), founded in the spring 2005, is a community outreach program against domestic violence and sexual assault. Daye organized S.U.S.O's first series of community events in April 2005 to promote awareness related to violence against women. In addition to community awareness, S.U.S.O launched its first community-wide collection drive in April 2005--collecting personal hygiene items for battered women’s shelters and rape crisis centers in the state of North Carolina. Since the launching of S.U.S.O the programs and services have expanded leading to the formation of a small outreach program endeavoring to become a state and nationally recognized non-profit organization.
Daye has been nominated for several awards during the course of her journey of community activism; a four-time award winner honored by the National Underground Spoken Word & Poetry Awards in 2007: Best Female Spoken Word Artist, Best Album of the Year (7 Days of Freedom), Best Album Cover (7 Days of Freedom), and Community Oriented Underground Poet's Award 2006-2008.
Daye’s first album, 7 Days of Freedom, a passionate collection of poetry mixed with hip hop music, was released in May 2006 to a sold out audience in Downtown Durham. The album recounts real stories about violence against women, relationships, spiritual warfare, youth violence and freedom. 7 Days of Freedom is an ear opening experience of poetic truth that has captured both young and old in tracks such as “Sound da Sirens”, “3 Years”, “I’m At War” and “6ft. Deep”. Produced by ME MusicWorks Studio in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the album sold over 7,500 copies underground within the first year. 7 Days of Freedom is a classic collectible for now and future generations. Daye is currently working on a 2nd album, a book and there is a documentary of her life story and message in the works.
Daye has starred in several stage plays: Anatomy of a Woman Abused, HerStory of Love: A Stronger Daye: a poetic theatrical production, and Campaign For Change-Riding with Joe Crack: an anti-gang production. She was featured in Street Life Education in 2008. Nominated and awarded Best Segment, this documentary explores the challenges of American youth. In addition, Daye was featured in Healing through Spoken Word: A Survivor’s Story-a documentary released in October 2009, engages thoughts regarding domestic violence and the healing benefits of spoken word.
Daye is Founder and Organizer of Shairi’s “Spit That Poetry” (2005-2008)- a local poetry venue held in Durham. Shairi’s was rated the #1 poetry venue in North Carolina. More than a regular poetry venue, Shairi’s stood on community morals and values, and celebrated family. A relaxed atmosphere full of good vibes and positive energy, this was a place where people not only found great entertainment, but left educated as well. Welcoming the stage to all generations with a 7 year old being the youngest poet to perform at Shairi’s.
Shairi’s Radio WXDU 88.7fm (2006-2008) was a collaboration with the Shairi’s poetry venue and brought the stage to the airwaves. Daye created a platform for local and national underground artist to be heard on radio airwaves. They addressed real issues happening in the world and allowed the listeners to voice their thoughts and poetry for the world to hear. More than a radio show with community chat and the spinning of music, Shairi’s featured national poets such as: 13th of Nazareth, Talaam Acey, Bluz, Queen Sheba, The Original Woman, Saul Williams and countless others. National recording artist such as Adina Howard, Common, Baby Cham, Ky-mani Marley (Bob Marley’s son), Wayne Wonder, Professor Griff (X Clan), Last Poets, Jaisun McMillian, and many others, were heard on the show. The show aired for three years every Friday night until December 2008 when Daye decided to say goodbye to Shairi’s to focus on personal goals, family and education.
Majoring in Psychology at the University of Phoenix, Daye plans to obtain a Masters in Art Therapy and Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology. She envisions ways to utilize the arts as a way to assist people in overcoming traumatic experiences. Using her own life journey as model for a therapeutic process, Daye has effectively used poetry, music, journaling, visual arts, drama and dance as ways to unlock the mystery of pain that hindered her own emotional instability. As a therapist she plans to work with victims of abuse and batterers to get at the root causes and to end the vicious cycle of domestic violence. As both a victim of and an abuser, Daye seeks to show the emotional scares caused by abuse, and how those abused grapple with understanding and contending with the consequences of that abuse.
Monica’s journey is a celebration of the power of transformative change--raped at a young age, abused as an adolescent, troubled and rebellious as a teen, lost and confused as a young adult--words paved the way for the emergence of a powerful new voice. Daye stands up and speaks out to those denied their own voice. She has tackled the confusion caused by pain, and stands on the brink of the unfolding of new possibilities.
