Part writer, part musician, part muse, Maddy Clifford uses her love of words, sound and ceremony to cultivate a just and beautiful existence.

After attaining an MFA in Poetry, Maddy spent nearly a decade teaching healing-centered and culturally relevant creative writing classes to incarcerated youth.

An avid musician and outspoken activist, Maddy's musical catalogue covers topics ranging from Climate Justice to Prison Abolition. She’s released numerous independent projects, including her most recent short-form album, downCHANTS. Maddy recently released a video-podcast with rappers Coco Peila and RyanNicole, called “What’s Pimpin?” The project is in collaboration with KQED Arts and examines misogynoir in Bay Area hip-hop.

As an independent creative, Maddy’s background has involved funding, curating and spearheading artistic collaborations. Maddy’s writings, in particular, have appeared in KQED Arts, 48 Hills, TruthOut and you can find her providing helpful tips to artists online.

She currently works as a Cultural Strategist in Government with the City of Oakland as well as Deputy Press Secretary with the Debt Collective.