Semaj Brown was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960. A poet, author, playwright, and educator, she holds a BA in Biological Science from Wayne State University and is the daughter of classically trained pianist Bessie James. Semaj became the first Poet Laurette of Flint, MI in 2019.
February 11, 2004 Semaj held a poetry reading and lecture with students at Marygrove College class. The readings featured poems from her Wave Rock poetry. Students inquired about her style, understanding the thinking behind her use of words and Islam.