Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, 6:30 pm - The Power of Poetry: Readings by PG County Residents at Largo-Kettering Library hosted by the Prince George’s County Poet Laureate, Khadijah Ali-Coleman.
Doors open at 6pm. If you are unable to register for tickets using this form, use this Google Form to RSVP instead.
Featured Poets:
BRENDA BUNTING: An award-winning orator, poet, and spoken word artist, Brenda Bunting is the esteemed author of Poems of Love and Violence In Between Life and Death, both in its 1st and 2nd Editions. Her literary contributions extend to a wide array of print and online anthologies, and she has garnered recognition through features on cable television, Blog Talk Radio, and various internet magazines.
Beyond her literary achievements, Brenda passionately advocates for environmental, social, and racial justice. She is a staunch supporter of using poetry as a therapeutic tool for mental and emotional well-being, especially in healing from traumatic events.
Brenda is a member of the distinguished group, Literary Leaders of Prince George's County, MD, and holds the esteemed position of life member of the Kentucky State Poetry Society. Armed with an M.A.T. from New York University, she brings her educational expertise to the forefront as an educator and teacher residing in Oxon Hill, MD. In addition, Brenda serves as a Board Member of Silver Spring Town Center Inc. (SSTCi), contributing her insights and leadership to the organization.
ANITA MITCHELL: A native of the DMV area, Anita Mitchell has woven her roots into the rich tapestry of her creative pursuits. Currently employed at Prince George's Community College (PGCC), she has contributed poems and photography to Reflections Magazine, PGCC's literary magazine, along with showcasing her visual art in the school's gallery.
With a thematic focus on women and their diverse roles and relationships, Anita's artistic journey began in Washington, DC, before her family eventually settled in Maryland. DC, the city where her family migrated to from Aiken, South Carolina, holds a special place in her heart. The vibrant art world and scene of DC have long captivated her, inspiring much of her literary art and photography.
Anita's weekends are often spent immersed in the cultural offerings of the city, attending events, exploring restaurants, and visiting museums—all of which serve as wellsprings of inspiration for her creative expressions.
Her life experiences, brimming with untold stories, eagerly await their appearance on paper. Anita Mitchell invites you to be on the lookout for her forthcoming books, promising a glimpse into the diverse and captivating narratives that shape her world.
TOYA MARIE: With a profound love for both written and spoken words, Toya Marie has been expressing her creativity on paper for over two decades. After a sojourn exploring the cultural landscape of Charlotte, NC, she returned home to the DMV, rekindling her passion for writing with renewed vigor.
Currently, Toya Marie is fervently working towards a significant milestone—publishing her first book in 2024. This endeavor marks a pivotal moment in her writing journey, as she continues to weave words into narratives that captivate and resonate with her audience.
ABOUT THE HOST
Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Ed.D., is a multifaceted cultural curator, educator, and award-winning artist known for her transformative work in the fields of arts and education. As the 2023-2026 Poet Laureate of Prince George's County, MD, she has dedicated over two decades to shaping spaces into vibrant hubs of artistic and educational exploration.
Khadijah, also recognized by her artistic moniker Khadijah Moon, is a prolific poet, playwright and performance artist with achievements spanning various genres. She is the founder of the multidisciplinary arts group Liberated Muse and co-founder of the national education research group Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars, LLC (BFHES). Dr. Ali-Coleman has maintained the youth development blog "So Our Youth Aspire" since 2006, reflecting her enduring commitment to empowering the next generation. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award and she served as the 2019-2020 Scholar-in-Residence at the Prince George's County African American Museum and Cultural Center.
She is author of the poetry collection, THE SUMMONING OF BLACK JOY, the children's book, MARIAH'S MARACAS, and is co-editor of the book, HOMESCHOOLING BLACK CHILDREN IN THE US. More than a half dozen of her plays have been staged, workshopped or read, appearing at venues across the country, including the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts. She is the executive director of the Hurston/Wright Foundation.
The Remembering the Black Arts Movement Symposium is a program presented by the Hurston/Wright Foundation, the Prince George's County Arts Council's Office of the Poet Laureate and the Prince George's County Memorial Library System.
COST: FREE