The Division of Advancement and Community Relations and the Alvin Sherman Library will host the second annual Let’s Speak Truth Poetry and Spoken Word Night on March 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Cotilla Gallery at the Alvin Sherman Library.
The event will close the university’s Black History Month celebration and highlight the poetic and musical talents of NSU students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the tri-county area.
Hosted by local celebrity Quick the Poet, the event will cover a number of topics, including life and death, freedom, love, single parenthood and more.
Alvin Sherman Library’s Adult Services librarian, LeThesha Harris, said the performers will speak about a number of ideas.
“We give the poets parameters, but ultimately it’s up to them; typically, poets will speak about something topical, in the news or personal,” she said.
Harris works with the African Presence committee and said this event relates to Black History Month in many ways.
“Poets tell their stories similar to the way you would see in Africa; it’s powerful and moving — the audience responds back to the poets with nods and finger popping, and there’s just so much interactivity,” she said.
Office of University Relations Internal Communication Editor Christie Williams works with the African Presence committee as well.
“The committee has a wonderful event that opens Black History Month, so we wanted to do something just as amazing to close it. Since the African Presence art exhibit does not leave campus until mid-March, the Truth Poetry and Spoken Word Night will be the final event of Black History Month,” she said.
Williams said the event is culturally relevant because it gives students and participants a voice in order to share their ideas, aspirations, experiences, hopes and grievances in a safe and welcoming environment.
“Last year’s performers left the audience breathless and wanting more, and since it was the inaugural year, no one really knew what to expect or the caliber of performances we would get,” she said. “Attendees were treated to moving stories, poetry and spoken word presentations about everything from Albert Einstein to child birth and death.”
Harris said students should attend because maybe they, too, have a story to tell.
“We want students to experience and feel just how powerful the poets are ― from there, they can share it with others and strike a movement.”
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Williams at wlchrist@nova.edu or 954-262-2106.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of nsunews.nova.edu
