Originating in the vibrant landscapes of Los Angeles County, California, and nurtured amid the heartland of Central Texas, Hicks' creative journey echoes the vastness and diversity of the Southwest region of North America.

From the written word to the live stage, Hicks' poetry fearlessly uses their personal experiences to delve into the critical realms of poverty, racism, mass incarceration, homelessness, and legislative violence. Their dynamic performances and magnetic readings serve as a powerful lens, offering perspective on both regional and national issues. Hicks' creative practice and advocacy have highlighted legislative campaigns related to equity, the challenging of the 13th Amendment, and the efforts to put an end to the injustice of cash bail.

A prolific creative force, Hicks is the accomplished author of A Map of My Want (Haymarket Books, 2024) and HoodWitch (Acre Books, 2019), a finalist for the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Poetry, the 2019 Julie Suk Award, and the 2019 Balcones Poetry Prize. Their debut memoir, A Body of Wild Light, a profound exploration of their carceral experience, is forthcoming from Haymarket Books.