All good things must come to an end. As host and event producer of The Poetic Celebration I must announce that for 2015 our event series is going on a long-term hiatus. In due time the series may return, but for now, we must disband to support other projects and grow in other areas. We are still celebrating however, because we produced a full year of amazing inspirational themed open mic events from November 2013-November 2014. With 13 events total we went strong for an entire year at Café Sonshine in Detroit, MI! As a newcomer to the hosting side of the metro-Detroit poetry community, I felt exceptionally supported by the many artistic leaders who had come before me and supported by those that were currently going strong with their own events throughout Detroit. Many well established artists commented on how safe they felt within our space, established hosts gave me tips and pointers on how to create a signature brand within this new venue, and the artistic faith based community also enjoyed the supportive spiritual space provided by our events. With each event also serving as a fundraiser, we were able to “be the change” within the city and donated over $2000 last year to support: The Wright Family of The North End (lost home in fire) The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality Warming Up The D (Provides Warm Clothes for Homeless Community) The Shrine of The Black Madonna Cultural Center (In honor of the passing of community leader Bishop Nkenge Abi) The 2014 Detroit Poetry Slam Team Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation Restoring The Neighbor Back To The Hood Training Center The American Cancer Society Bounce Back Detroit Teen HYPE Café Sonshine The North End Youth Improvement Council We also had some amazing artists come through and feature for us in our year of programming! I’m still in shock that so many amazingly talented people agreed to come and share their gifts with us! A huge shout out to Claretha Peace Bell, Dieufaite Cyriaque, The Henry Ford Academy School For Creative Studies Hip Hop Club, Gene Alenxander, LaShaun Phoenix Kotaran The 2014 Detroit Poetry Slam Team (Omari Exodusrising, Deonte Osayande, Malachi London, Claretha Peace Bell, UNtitled TheWriter, and Chantay Legacy Leonard), Jill Grandison Yusef Bunchy Shakur, Tommy Johnson, Mahogany Jones, Gerald “PacMan” Dixon II, Quadelle DeQuen/BleSseD, Dee Castelow, Cynthia Stephens, Ms. Delores Bennett and Satori Shakoor! My rock of support came from loving family and amazing friends! The Poetic Celebration Production Team: Justin Crutchfield, Nikita Coakley Yvonne Jones(MAMA), Akil Anthony Eckford, Janine and Darryl Terrell of Café Sonshine, Paris Ambrea, Gerald Dixon II, Chi Amen-Ra, Gene Alexander, Mario Lemons, Walter V. Marshall, and Langston Olugbala-Robinson(my nephew) you each mean the world to me! Thanks so much for freely giving of yourselves to make our event series successful! Additional thanks to Wanda Olugbala(sister) William Logan, Titus Mitchell, Jennifer Cole, Ashley Nelson , Ayinde Ananda, Kwanza Bell, Reshounn Foster, Rachel Lang, Alexandria Way, Letitia Wright and each and every vendor that came through in support of our series. It has been a ton of work and such a blast creating something so amazing within my community! I feel so blessed to have had the support that I was able to earn! Thank you all so much! I’m wishing you all a very blessed and prosperous New Year! -Ben Will
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:47:22 +0000
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