Black Charlotte: A Poetic Celebration of Place & Folk

This program, in partnership with Arts and Science Council, is a special spoken word celebration of our city's history, featuring 15 poets! Enjoy the start of Black History Month with a wonderful blend of local Black history and immense local talent. Open to all ages and backgrounds.

"The best spoken word poets in our city will share new work as part of a 'living' exhibit, an homage to Charlotte's Black neighborhoods, Black people, and events that have shaped its rich cultural history. Black Charlotte: A Poetic Celebration of Place & Folk will not only expand your knowledge of this part of Charlotte's past but provide a greater understanding of what home is, and what it can be. Join us as our poets continue the role of the griot: to catalog, document, carry and teach and inspire and push and most importantly, to make sure these stories are not forgotten, to ensure the legacy continues."

– Jay Ward, Charlotte Poet Laureate

Poets Performing During This Event

Bluz Rogers, A Poet Named Superman, Dionne Hunter, Kyla Alexis, Sir Abstraxx, Jah Smalls, Jaycee Cowan, Lauren Morris, Luvleeh Poeticlocs, Monica Harrison, Jordan Bailey, Witz Da Wittie, Lady V, Portia the Poet, and Jay Ward.

Junious 'Jay' Ward is a poet and teaching artist from Charlotte, NC. He is a National Slam champion (2018), an Individual World Poetry Slam champion (2019), author of Sing Me A Lesser Wound (Bull City Press 2020) and Charlotte's inaugural Poet Laureate. Jay currently serves as a Program Director for BreatheInk, serves as vice chair on the board of The Watering Hole, and is part of several curatorial committees for arts events in Charlotte. Ward has attended Breadloaf Writer's Conference, Callaloo, The Watering Hole and Tin House Winter Workshop. His work can be found in Crabfat Magazine, Lackadaisy Lit Mag, Four Way Review, Diode Poetry Journal and additionally on Button Poetry, All Def Poetry, and Slamfind.