Tamora Israel is an award-winning poet, multidisciplinary artist, performer, and cultural organizer whose work lives dynamically at the intersection of art and activism. As the Co-CEO of Ascending Phoenix Productions, Israel has established herself as a vital creative force and an essential voice in regional arts and media, transforming stages into sanctuaries and communities into catalysts for change.
A commanding presence both on and off the stage, Israel’s diverse portfolio spans live social, political, and musical events, theatrical productions, and immersive art installations. Her notable performance credits include a featured appearance at the prestigious Nantucket Poetry Festival, alongside a critically acclaimed, powerful portrayal of the Lady in Red in Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf at Cape Cod Community College.
As a visionary storyteller, Israel is the creator of Poetry From My Brain Parts: A Journey from Beginning to Becoming. This groundbreaking multimedia enterprise exemplifies her signature approach to multidisciplinary art, blending spoken-word poetry, theater, comedy, film, and R&B music to explore themes of healing, resilience, and transformation. The expansive, multi-format project includes a full-length theatrical experience, a published poetry book, a professionally recorded audiobook, and a series of six visually stunning conceptual short films.
Beyond her performance career, Israel is a dedicated community architect committed to cultivating authentic creative spaces. In partnership with Belonging Books, she founded and hosts the 438 Open Mic; an inclusive sanctuary for emerging voices; and Full Volume: A Poetry Slam Laboratory at The Cordial Eye in Hyannis, a 16-week intensive course building the Cape Cod slam poetry scene from the ground up.
Her civic engagement and strategic leadership are deeply woven into the regional media and arts landscape. Israel is a founding board member of both The Cordial Eye and Amplify POC Inc. (where she currently serves on the Board for TCE and on the nominating committee for Amplify), and she sits on the Board of Directors for Provincetown Television.
In recognition of her profound impact and artistic excellence, Israel was honored with the 2024 Black Excellence Award by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, celebrating her enduring contributions to education, culture, and activism. Bold, healing, and unapologetically rooted in truth, Tamora Israel continues to pioneer art that moves culture forward.
