T.Ellis : where was you born and raised ?                                                                                                                                                                                                          Maya Da Bee : I was born and raised in Dallas TX but spent like every other weekend and summers in Oberlin Louisiana where my mom side of the family is from so I call that home to and I'm a Saints fan.                                                                                                                                                                                  T.Ellis : how was life growing up ?                                                                                                                                                          Maya Da Bee : I kept to myself growing up.played lots of sports I was good at them but I never fit in anywhere. I would try some times but didn't feel right I'd rather chill out in my room listen to music and write even my older brother would try to get me to hang out and I'd be "na im good lol.                                                                                                                                                                                                        T.Ellis : as a former Police Officer was that something you always wanted to do ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                Maya Da Bee : yes and no I'm a 90s kid and my brother only about 3-4 years older than me.the show cops was big in that era and we use to run around the house acting it out kids and talk about going into the field together.anyway though I got into media tech in HS,I love making music videos.when I sign up for the Army I originally wanted broadcast journalism but was five points short on the ASVAB for it and didn't want to retest so I became a Military Police which led to me becoming a Police Officer when I got out to.                                                                                                                                                                        T.Ellis : what was your experience as a former Police Officer ?                                                                                                                                                                          Maya Da Bee : by the time I got the military I had some demons already.I was qualified to be a Federal Police Officer cuz I was a MP in the Army that's the only reason I went that direction.I really don't wanna get much into it this is just a written interview but I'll say that my mentality on the government has shifted a lot so that didn't help with the demons at all.im speaking being on the inside and about personal experience so that should speak volumes in itself.                                                                                                                                                                                        T.Ellis : your also a Army Veteran what was your experience in the Army ?                                                                                                                                                                                                          Maya Da Bee : I spent five years in with two deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. I was a lead gunner in Iraq and when I was promoted to ES SGT I was Alpha team leader in Afghanistan, sincerely, I don't like talking about my experiences much I feel as a black female the world is bias and I'm already mature past the point where I feel I don't have to prove shit to anybody so I don't share a lot outside my poetry.                                                                                                                                                                          T.Ellis : how does it feel to serve your country ?                                                                                                                                                                                                      Maya Da Bee : I probably feel like anybody else.to be honest I didn't join for my country.I joined so my mom wouldn't waste money sending me to a college I didn't want to go to.I joined because I didn't want my mom supporting me anymore period.so I'm not gonna put on a fake flex like I actually joined to really serve a country that I know didn't really give a fuck about me.I pimped my soul out for a few years, let's call it what it is.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    T.Ellis : as a Poet how did you get into doing Poetry ?                                                                                                                                                                                            Maya Da Bee : I've been writing Poetry since I could write. I use to try to be a rapper but I have no rhythm so I beat to my own drum as a Poet.same difference to me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          T.Ellis : how long have you been a     Poet ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Maya Da Bee : like I said I've been writing Poetry ever since I could write.my mom would take me to a couple open mics in South Dallas when I was Thirteen.I went on a long hiatus when I joined the Army but came back to the open mic scene after the pressure and anxiety and everything got to intense and I had a family to keep it together for and traditional therapy wasn't working for me.not even the medication was enough.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                T.Ellis : your also a Activist what's that experience like ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Maya Da Bee : I'm an Activist thru my Poetry and anywhere I go I gotta problem holding my tongue.im an Aquarius and humanitarian.I will bully a bully.I can't stand people that think they're untouchable and just love to pick on folks out of spite or petty shit.I don't like drama I don't like to be tested.I don't like confrontation but I don't play about mental health and social injustice situations.im always quiet until I speak up and that's when folks get offended fck em.                                                                                                                                                                                        T.Ellis : where do you see yourself in five years ?                                                                                                                                                                                                  Maya Da Bee : God willing I'll still be here.still doing my Poetry maybe traveling more with it.hopefully have a bigger audience with my online open mic and continue blessing people with contest prizes.the more God blesses me the more I can bless others,that's always the goal.