What They're Saying
Read testimonials from satisfied clients and collaborators from Greg’s local, national and international engagements.
resident poet on here and now toronto (cbc radio one)
“[Greg’s] spoken word hits you like a slap in the face. If we could channel the energy his words create, we wouldn't need a pipeline. His poems are enlightening, fierce and fearless.”
- Laura Di Battista, author of IF IT BLEEDS, IT LEADS and
former CBC Here and Now Toronto host
“I've never written in before, but I feel compelled to tell you how much I enjoy the weekly poetry reading with [Greg]. Love the use of art to reflect on politics and the state of our modern world. Very talented poet.”
- CBC Here and Now Toronto listener
“I was making dinner last night and my teen girls and boy were in the dining room doing their homework. I heard [Greg and] turned up the radio. My kids all listened too. Then we turned off the radio and had the most grown-up conversation I have ever had with my kids. I was so proud of them for thinking out such mature issues as equality in treatment in life and death. My family had the most rich dinner conversation EVER because of your show. And then we all went on to do our various reading and writing tasks, more inspired than before dinner for sure. Thanks to CBC Radio for expand[ing] the minds of my teenagers.”
- CBC Here and Now Toronto listener
2012 national poetry slam champion & one of canada's top spoken word artists
"[In 2012, a] Toronto poetry slam team featuring Dwayne Morgan and Greg Frankson, experienced performers creeping into middle age, emerged as national champions at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word held in Saskatoon. Frankson … earned a regular spot on CBC radio, signalling the emergence of slam-style performance poetry into mainstream consciousness."
- Brent Wood, University of Toronto Quarterly, Volume 83, Spring 2014
"Greg Frankson's poetry has great repeat value, to put it into gaming terms: you want to hear his poetry over and over, because each performance offers you a different nuance you might not have caught the first time around. His skill at bringing stories to life through his words is both compelling and inspirational."
- David Silverberg, Founder, Toronto Poetry Project and Editor of
Mic Check: An Anthology of Canadian Spoken Word Poetry
"At the Launch of [our] Festival Season, we were absolutely thrilled to have [Greg] performing spoken word – but he even did us one better and wrote an amazing poetic tribute to the many great festivals, special events and fairs taking place in Ottawa. Thanks so much Greg, your performance was a very fitting opening!"
- Ottawa Festivals
poet-in-residence/poetic rapporteur at national and international conferences
“Greg Frankson's poetic rapportage earned him standing ovations every day of the conference. From his poetic verse, to his ability to get to the core of the fundamental issues at play, to his singing abilities, he skilfully encapsulated the various legal, historical and methodological issues as well as the numerous themes and contentious topics related to slavery in all of its forms as presented by the various panellists.”
- Harriet Tubman Institute on Greg’s participation at the Routes to Freedom Conference, Ottawa ON
“I am blessed to have had the honour of hearing Greg perform his magic. He is an absolutely amazing poet who weaved together the essence of the conference with his words each and every day and brought the audience to their feet. His poetry was a highlight of this event. The rhythm and beauty of his words was mesmerizing. I'm glad to have met and made friends with this cool and wonderfully sincere man. I hope to bring him to an event in my area sometime soon."
- Andrea Stewart, PEI Delegate, Routes to Freedom Conference, Ottawa ON
“Greg added a new and unique feature to our Training Institutes on children's mental health. He captured the purpose and spirit of our work in beautifully creative and relevant poetry that captured our attendees. His interactions with the young people in our Youth Leadership Track received rave reviews. We look forward to his contribution to our work in the future.”
- Beth A. Stroul, M.Ed., President, Management & Training Innovations
on behalf of the Georgetown University Training Institutes organizing team
inspiring spoken word performer & poetry workshop leader in schools
“Several students commented that Greg’s visit had made them consider things differently and the impact of this discussion extended beyond the classroom as the students continued to reflect upon and share their thoughts about their experience with Greg. The teacher [in the class] said that he was impressed with the level of discussion that his students produced and what they were willing to share.”
- Kenra Mroz, Teacher, Sir Robert Borden HS, Nepean ON
'We decided to bring Greg in to give our students a better sense of the spoken word. Afterwards, I asked some of the boys what they thought about the presentation—they were really impressed. More importantly, as a teacher, I have to say that this week’s in-class delivery of slam poetry was the best I have ever seen. Greg was able to model the genre in a way we could never do. He also showed the boys that their writing could be powerful and provocative. I look forward to having him return to SAC in the coming years. Thanks, Greg!
- Michael Paluch, Head of English, St. Andrew's College, Aurora ON
“He was an amazing spoken word performer. His moving performance has inspired me to write more poetry.”
- Grade 9 student, Marc Garneau CI, Toronto ON