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Joe Hernandez-Kolski

Two-time HBO Def Poet, Princeton Graduate, Hip-Hop Theater Performer

Joe Hernandez-Kolski
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Categories Categories:
Acting, Celebrity, College, Comedy, Diversity & Inclusion, Entertainers, Hispanic Heritage, Inspirational, Poetry, Television & Film
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Joe Hernandez-Kolski Biography

Two-time HBO Def Poet Joe Hernandez-Kolski blends spoken word poetry and comedy to create an experience that is hard-hitting, truthful, and incredibly funny. Having rarely left an audience without a standing ovation, he is fervently committed to both entertaining and challenging people with his intimate, cutting-edge performances. A graduate of Princeton University, Hernandez-Kolski is helping shape the dialogue and minds of today’s youth.

As a spoken word poet, Hernandez-Kolski opened for John Mellencamp in his hometown of Chicago and has performed at over fifty colleges and universities across the country, fostering a strong connection with college audiences. He opened the “Say Word” Hip-Hop Theater Festival at Lehigh University with his hip-hop solo show—“You Wanna Piece of Me?” — which includes DJ Jedi. He's performed this show across various locations, including Ars Nova NYC and the San Francisco Hip-Hop Theater Festival. He appeared in “The Bomb-itty of Errors,” a hip-hop version of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” and received thunderous applause for both of his performances on HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry.

Based in Los Angeles, Hernandez-Kolski’s acting credits include the summer blockbuster "Hancock," alongside Will Smith, and a scene with Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx in "The Soloist," directed by Joe Wright. He co-founded and continues to host Downbeat 720, an open-mic event for high school youth, contributing to the development of young artists. The televised version, "Downbeat Showdown," was awarded the LA Emmy for “Outstanding Youth Programming.” His ability to blend comedy, music, dancing, and storytelling into performances that explore themes of ethnic identity, cultural influence, and personal identity has established him as a dynamic presence in the arts.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/05/2024.

Joe Hernandez-Kolski Speaking Topics

  • So Fresh & So Clean (with beatboxer Joshua Silverstein)

  • You Wanna Piece of Me? (with DJ Jedi)

  • Power Chords: Striking Harmony Through Sex, Identity & Rock n’ Roll

    Hernandez-Kolski has never been afraid to reveal himself in front of an audience. With Power Chords, he delves deeply into his relationships with women and his relationship with himself. He deals with dating, break ups, and first love, supported by a great music soundtrack. Hernandez-Kolski even considers himself a feminist and he can talk about it for hours upon hours. This show, thank goodness, only lasts an hour.

  • Rockin’ the Mic: A Hip-Hop Headbanger’s Story

    As music is so important to Hernandez-Kolski, this show is dedicated to fully exploring its influence on his life. Growing up a heavy metal head banger, Hernandez-Kolski never liked hip hop, even though he attended a majority black high school in Chicago where hip hop and house music were prevalent. Ironically, it wasn't until he went to Princeton University that he truly began to appreciate the message and beats of hip hop. Now a hip hop culture instructor at several afterschool programs throughout Los Angeles, Hernandez-Kolski has learned how to use his spoken word poetry to communicate the importance of diversity in one's musical collection and how this affects one's view of the world around them. This show includes a screening of Hernandez-Kolski's award-winning short film, Afterschool'd, about an afterschool hip hop program gone wrong.

  • Cultural Collisions: Commentary for a Changing America

    Hernandez-Kolski's nickname, "Pocho Joe," comes from his mixed background as a Mexican-Polish-American. Considered rude by some, "Pocho" is a term that Mexicans sometimes use to describe an "Americanized" Mexican. Hernandez-Kolski embraces the term and believes that "Todos Somos Pochos" (We are all Pochos). There is no way to grow up in America without being influenced by a variety of cultures on a daily basis. With this show, Hernandez-Kolski delves deeply into the many hybrids he deals with on a daily basis, ranging from economic to ethnic and cultural mixtures.

  • Refried Latino Pride

    In his speech Refried Latino Pride, Hernandez-Kolski presents an exploration of his ethnic identity as he travels from an urban Black high school to an Ivy League university. Somewhere along the way, Hernandez-Kolski learns to not only accept his ethnicity as a Mexican-Polish-American but to embrace it. Through comedy, music, dancing and storytelling, Hernandez-Kolski uses his art to create a common bond between all audience members.

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  • What topics does Joe Hernandez-Kolski speak about?

    Joe Hernandez-Kolski is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Acting, Celebrity, College, Comedy, Diversity & Inclusion, Entertainers, Hispanic Heritage, Inspirational, Poetry, Television & Film.

  • Where does Joe Hernandez-Kolski travel from?

    Joe Hernandez-Kolski generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Joe Hernandez-Kolski’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Joe Hernandez-Kolski for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Joe Hernandez-Kolski for your next private or corporate function.

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Joe Hernandez-Kolski is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as So Fresh & So Clean (with beatboxer Joshua Silverstein), You Wanna Piece of Me? (with DJ Jedi), Power Chords: Striking Harmony Through Sex, Identity & Rock n’ Roll, Rockin’ the Mic: A Hip-Hop Headbanger’s Story, Cultural Collisions: Commentary for a Changing America and Refried Latino Pride. The estimated speaking fee range to book Joe Hernandez-Kolski for your event is available upon request. Joe Hernandez-Kolski generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kal Penn, Bryan Safi, Jay Pharoah, Aaron McGruder and Spike Lee. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Joe Hernandez-Kolski for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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