October: Poetry, Paint & Good Vibes!
October kicked off with a little poetry, creativity, and some good old-school R&B!
I attended my very first **Oak City Poetry Slam**, held during the Raleigh Film & Art Festival at William Peace University, October 2–4. The two-day poetry competition started with ten talented poets battling it out through the power of spoken word until only the top three remained.
It was exciting to experience a poetry slam from the audience's perspective, watching poets bring their words, emotions, and stage presence into a competitive atmosphere.
But my October creative adventures didn't stop there!
A friend and I also attended an open mic creative mixer at **Sip N Spices Bar & Grill in Morrisville, NC**. And let me tell you, there was a little something for everybody!
We painted, colored, sang along to some throwback 2000s R&B hits, answered trivia questions, and enjoyed listening to poetry during the open mic.
Of course, I couldn't let an open mic opportunity pass me by!
I stepped on stage and shared one of my newest poems, **"Wearing Me Out."**
Between experiencing the competitive energy of a poetry slam and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of a creative mixer, I was reminded that poetry doesn't have to live in just one type of space.
Sometimes it's a competition. Sometimes it's an intimate gathering. And sometimes it's simply a room full of people enjoying art, music, laughter, and a little creative expression.
Either way, I'm always happy when poetry gets a seat at the table!
Here's my video of my open Mic:
Until Next time!
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September Feature: Black Reading Month
🎧 So...Audiobooks to the Rescue!
My busy life hasn't stopped me from enjoying books; I've just had to change how I read them.
These days, audiobooks have become my new best friend. I can listen while driving, cleaning around the house, or handling other things on my never-ending to-do list.
I recently wrapped up the suspenseful audiobook Judge Stone by James Patterson, narrated by the amazing Viola Davis, and let me tell you—I was INVESTED! I found myself on the edge of my seat, completely caught up in the story and waiting to hear what was going to happen next.
Viola Davis has one of those voices that commands your attention, so having her narrate such a suspenseful story made the experience even better.
And it made me realize something...
Maybe our love for reading hasn't disappeared. Maybe the way we consume stories has simply evolved.
That actually strengthens your Black Reading Month feature because Viola Davis's narration gives you another Black creative voice to celebrate, even though James Patterson himself isn't a Black author. Then we can transition from what you're personally listening to into the question: What Black authors are everybody else reading this month?
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🌿 Poetry in the Park: Not What I Expected… But Exactly What I Needed
Poetry in the Park was so not what I expected.
I went in thinking this would be another workshop—me, a notebook, and nature… taking time to write a poem outdoors.
Wrong.
When I arrived on what turned out to be a beautiful, hot Spring day, I was greeted by a tour guide… and a map. From that moment, I knew this experience was going to be something different.
We were guided along a walking trail, making intentional stops along the way. At each stop, poets stood ready to recite their work—sharing pieces rooted in love, healing, and the archiving of emotions and memories through art.
We were walking a path of love.
And with each step, each voice, each story… it became more than just a walk. It became an experience—one that connected us through the art of writing and expression.
It was so refreshing to not only hear other poets, but to meet them—to witness their passion, their vulnerability, and their truth.
By the time we reached the end of the mile walk, I felt full.
But it didn’t end there.
Those who chose to stay were able to continue the experience, listening to more seasoned poets perform some of their classic pieces. It was like stepping into another layer of the art—one that honored both growth and legacy.
And as I left, I carried more than just inspiration with me…
I carried two thought-provoking questions:
Why do you love art?
And… does art love you back?
More April events coming soon...
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WRAP UP OF FEBRUARY EVENTS
February brings new poetry events I've signed up to attend. I am excited to be attending another Line of Sight Poetry Event where artwork meets poetry. When I attended it a few months ago, I walked away with a poem titled, Red, White, and Bruised, to which will be featured in my next book.
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