David A. Gaines is a writer, filmmaker and actor born and based in Philadelphia. His work examines Blackness, masculinity, Christianity and mental health through an intersectional lens.  Dave is an award-winning, nationally touring poetry performer, a fellow of The Watering Hole and BlackStar Filmmaker Lab, and a Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County; and his work has been featured in the National Black Arts Festival, Button Poetry, Write About Now, VICE Media, among many others. When not writing, performing, or orchestrating films, you can find Dave teaching poetry to Philly youth, playing narrative-centric video games or spending quality time with nature.