Jamaar Smiley, also known as the "Voice of the Northwest", is a Spoken Word Artist, Poet, Educator and Author of a book that chronicles the growth of black and underprivileged men in America, titled The Epilogue. Born on the South Side of Chicago and grew up in Burien, Washington, he began writing at a young age to express and gain a better understanding of himself. While attending Midland University in Nebraska, that understanding would come full circle.