June 2010 Feature Poet:

Greg Frankson a.k.a. Ritallin is a writer, spoken word artist, creative services consultant, social activist and arts educator based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  He has participated in major conferences and small gatherings alike on both sides of the border and overseas penning poetic reflections on the current state of mental health systems across the globe.  He is also the Poet Laureate of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL).

Greg is the immediate past National Director for Spoken Word Canada, organizers of the annual Canadian Festival of Spoken Word.  He has been the executive producer for several spoken word compilation CD projects and co-founded Capital Slam, the second-longest running poetry slam series in Canada.  Ritallin self-published a political poetic memoir entitled The Halifax Chronicles in 2006 and released two poetry chapbooks – Coast Poems in 2008 and Mindfull in 2010.  In 2006 BeWrite Books released his debut collection of poetry, Cerebral Stimulation, and in 2008 he was included in an anthology of spoken word poetry by Quattro Books entitled Mic Check.  His poetry has also been recorded and performed live with a variety of accomplished musicians and DJs, including The Fugitives, PressWon, Nathan Bishop, DJ Conn Shawnery, Antizario, Kalmunity Vibe Collective, Dub Trinity and others.

Through his creative services company Cytopoetics, Greg works with young people in schools and community settings as a presenter and performer, and with businesses and social services organizations as a facilitator, keynote speaker and diversity consultant.

Ritallin will be performing as the Feature Poet at the June 18th, 2010 edition of the London Poetry Slam. For complete details about this slam click here.