Family First Presented by Novant Health: Poetry In Action

In collaboration with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Community Read, this in-depth workshop led by members of Guerilla Poets, participants will explore the comparison between the book and film The Hate U Give to the music and poetry of Tupac Shakur. What did Tupac mean by "Thug Life?" and how do perceptions influence our realities?

There will be a poetry exercise based on self-reflection and an art exercise on the dichotomy of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s abstract art (defining our individual reality).

About Guerilla Poets

Guerilla Poets' mission is to empower, uplift and inform others through the arts. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides art, music and poetry/writing programs in shelters, centers, schools and more from elementary students to elderly adults.

About Community Read

Each year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a big, exciting, community-wide book club known as Community Read. This year's Community Read program will take place throughout March 2019.

The Library chooses titles for adults, teens, preteens and children, and invites everyone in the community to engage in Community Read by reading the book, talking about it, attending library programs, engaging with the Library on social media and celebrating a love of reading.

About The Artist

Nikii Vonn grew up in the NC foothills in the small town of Marion. Art has always been in her family as her uncle introduced her to painting at an early age. Since then Vonn has participated in a number of art exhibitions in the Charlotte Metro area and held her first solo art showing at Sydney's Martini and Wine Bar downtown Charlotte in 2017. Vonn is a former a Behailu Academy mixed media art instructor. She is currently an active member of Guerilla Poets where she leads art and poetry workshops. She is a returning Raw Artist and is currently working on her next solo art show scheduled for March 2019.

Tarik Kiley AKA Mixed Thoughts is a music producer, instrumentalist and emcee. As an instrumentalist he plays drums, percussion and piano. Kiley has been a member of Guerilla Poets since 2012. He was born in Baltimore, MD, but has been a Charlotte transplant since 1994.

Jah Smalls, co-founder of Grannae's Boyz, is the slam master coach for Respect Da Mic Slam Team in Charlotte and has participated in the Promoting Peace program through the Arts Empowerment Project. Along with being a member of Guerilla Poets , he is also a host, emcee and event planner for many events in the Queen City.

Family First is presented by Novant Health