Interdisciplinary Artist & Independent Researcher of Consciousness Studies, Austin Alexander is an award-winning poet laureate of Maui, best known for representing the Kingdom of Hawaii at the 2010 Individual World Poetry Slam. 

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Presently, he resides in Los Angeles. Besides working full-time in mental health and behavioral Science—specializing in clinical addiction intervention, expressive therapy, and theory of mind—Austin is also employed as a screenwriter & developmental producer in partnership with best-selling poet/filmmaker Saul Williams, and screenwriter/producer Gary Goldman (Minority Report, Total Recall, Big Trouble in Little China, Basic Instinct, etc).

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As a recording and performance artist, he is currently producing a scored work of poetry with composer Pedro Osuna (No Time to Die, Argentina 1985, etc.) and world-renowned Hans Zimmer solo cellist SUVVI. The following title is a link to one of their most stunning collaborative demos: "God's Reflection"

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As a former rapper, Austin has shared the stage with notable hip-hop artists such as Grouch, Eligh, Scarub, Luckyiam (of Living Legends), Zion I, Abstract Rude, Myka 9, Aceyalone, Haiku d'Etat, Jennifer Johns, and punk rock icon Angelo Moore (of Fishbone), among many others.

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As an academic, and at the invitation of Anthology of Rap author and Professor Adam Bradley, he has lectured at UCLA on his groundbreaking theory of consciousness evolution, Pre-Sapio-Abstraction, as well as the anthropological and therapeutic value of poetry and hip-hop.

 

Additionally, after ranking among the world’s top competing slam poets, Austin was featured as a guest educator of poetry and creative writing at Montessori, Roots Private School, and King Kekaulike High School on the island of Maui. He currently serves as Board Advisor for Poetry and Creative Writing Curriculum Development at The Ben Free Project. ​​​​

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As a creative innovator in expressive therapy, Austin is the founder of Hope & Mic™, an institutional outreach program that combines creative writing and expressive therapy with performance platforms to promote self-discovery, wellness, and recovery. It is currently implemented at NoHo Recovery, Soul 2 Soul Recovery, Alter The Course Retreats, and The Ben Free Project. As of 2025, a hybridized version of the Hope & Mic curriculum—integrated with a Ben Free Project prison outreach program Barz Behind Bars—is impacting the lives of over 800,000 justice-impacted individuals and recovering addicts nationwide—nearly half the U.S. prison population.

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Additionally, through his partnership with The Ben Free Project, Hope & Mic™ was featured in the 2025 UCLA Alumni Bruin Business 100 list and is collaboratively supported by multiple Pulitzer Prize and NAACP Image Award winners, as well as various major hip-hop recording artists.

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As an inspirational speaker and mental health coach, Austin is a RADT-certified creative writing & expressive therapy facilitator currently pursuing his CADC-1. He was trained by acclaimed actress/expressive therapy specialist, Diane Sherry Case (MA, MFA), who was mentored by Julia Cameron—author of The Artist's Way—and endorsed by expressive writing therapy pioneer, Dr. James W. Pennebaker—professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, and creator of The Pennebaker Protocol, the foremost clinically proven, peer reviewed method of expressive writing therapy. Case is best known for her iconic role in Superman and as the author of Write for Recovery—The book's second edition is currently being co-authored by Alexander & Case.​

 

As a charity event host & director, Austin cofounded Poetik LA, a Los Angeles-based production company dedicated to supporting non-profits and providing poetic platforms for the community. In 2022, he also hosted & produced SLAM RIGHT! at Street Art Alive in The Lume - featuring 200 of the world's top street artists and some of LA's best slam poets. All proceeds were donated to Initiate Justice in support of prison reform & abolition. 

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As a sculptor, Austin studied the art of glass blowing in Venice, Italy. With over twenty-five years of experience, he is a master of the craft. His glass-blowing studio is currently located in downtown Los Angeles, and his work has been displayed and sold in some of the world's most prestigious galleries.

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As a fabricator and inventor, Austin developed and patented a revolutionary form of preservation packaging for the cigar industry, which is currently garnering interest from some of the world's most preeminent brands.  

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While not a major focus, Austin also occasionally works as a model and actor—most recently as a fitness model for, Higher Frequency, a subject model for star athlete and photographer, Diana Redman, and as an actor in a supporting role in the play, Red Room, by Lupe Montiel, performed at the Frida Kahlo Theater in Los Angeles.

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Ultimately, Austin serves to entertain, inspire, and positively transform the world around him by challenging his audience to find strength in vulnerability and connect reward with self-awareness.

 

"I found life with selfish innocence; I’ll leave it with selfless conviction”. ~Austin Alexander