By Keisha A. Mitchell
School/s: Georgia State University
Classification: Senior
Is it a drink? Is it an herb? Is it a flavor? No, it’s a host, and his name is Green Tea.
23 year old Zamir “Green Tea” Walton is a poet, rapper, author, event planner, and veteran host hailing from East Point, GA and has been providing the college students of Atlanta with social events for the last year through his organization The H.I. Ink Arts Society.
What is H.I. Ink you ask? Well as Green Tea explains it: “Highly Inspirational Ink Arts Society [is] art dedicated to the upliftment of people, more channeled towards life-giving art forms.” Through events like Tilted Mics (a monthly arts showcase held at Niche in the Castleberry Hill district and cosponsored/hosted with the W.O.R.D organization), Art of Hearts, and the Inkblot Indie Arts Festival, Green Tea does just that, and adds a bit of whimsical flair while doing so.
In the event planning, and promotions business, there is arguably no one trait more important, than the skill of networking. As a promoter, this is something Green Tea knows very well, and apparently so does his 3,325 friends on Facebook.
“[Networking] is extremely important on the business/professional level, and on a social networking level. In essence the more people you know the more people will support you …You’ll always have somebody who may be subconsciously supporting you.”
Alongside the creation and production of “life-giving art forms”, Green Teas’ organization H.I. Ink seeks to add a new facet to their mission by becoming a source of support for agenue artists looking to break out on the Atlanta indie music scene. This journey into artist development will be tested primarily on none other than Green Tea himself, as he prepares to launch his debut album in early winter of 2009. So what can audiences expect in the meantime? As far as events go, Green tea hasn’t said he’s stopping, but does plan on slowing down in the upcoming year to focus on his other projects:
“There will be events later on in the fall, but they’re going to be in more intimate settings. …I’m personally working on album, as well another book. ..After the launch of the album, you’ll see a lot more events.”
The album, entitled “See Green Grow”, will showcase a departure from Greens’ poetry prowess and highlight his foray into the world of Hip Hop, as well as feature some local acts like Richelle Brown, and Corrine Stevie. Whether or not, Green will be able to cement himself as a staple on the Atlanta arts scene is yet to be seen, but Green says his efforts have never been purely about his own advancement and the impression he hopes he and H.I. Ink leaves is greater than that of himself
“I definitely want H.I. Ink to leave an impression with [people] that inspires them. That’s always the point, to inspire them…I’m not really big on Green Tea blowing up, but I want people to blow up around me.”
To get your dose of inspiration, or just to get a sample of Green Tea, he says you can always “befriend Green on Facebook”. , screen name Zamir ‘Green Tea’ Walton, or true to his name, you might spot him sitting in one of your local college coffee shops, working on new ways to bring inspiration and flavor to your day.
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