Poetry for the People is a poetry reading event inspired by poet, essayist, educator and activist June Jordan. Born in Harlem, NY, Jordan’s works serve as an outlet for expressing Black culture and exploring topics of gender, race and immigration. She focused on using Black English in her writing, teaching it as its own language. The event will be led by Athens Poet Laureate Mikhayla Robinson Smith, who says of her inspiration for Poetry for the People, “In the midst of everything going on, I wanted to cultivate a space for us to rest, be, gather, and listen to poetry in the name of liberation.” Smith will share some of her works along with poets OJ Jeremiah Agbaakin, Stacey Brown, Amanda Dzimanski, Palmetto Ford, Vanessa Harris, Life the Griot, Brittany Lynch, Angela the Arsonist, Ellie Swensson and more. Picnic baskets and chairs are encouraged, and there will also be games and activities for kids from Athens Pop Up Park.
WHO: Poetry for the People
WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Dudley Park
HOW MUCH: FREE!
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