Join us and our featured artists: J Bow Performances, Purpose, Aye Jannay, Church The Poet, Hausson Byrd, & Lupe Penn on Saturday, October 5, 2024, 6 pm, 1809 Chapel Hill Road, Durham NC.
Poetic Justice is an annual fundraiser hosted by Emancipate NC that combines powerful personal testimony and electrifying artistic expression. This event displays the talents and stories of systematically impacted and incarcerated individuals by creating a platform for them to express, through poetry, how they’ve been impacted by the system. The evening will bring attention to systemic problems and the individuals they affect.
May we all be called to a greater sense of humanity through their art.
J.Bow
J.Bow is a prolific and versatile hip-hop artist based out of Raleigh, North Carolina who loves to freestyle and jam with talented musicians. As a 9Dime raised in the Bull City, she has developed into a jack of all trades, well versed in arts ranging from spoken word poetry, to freestyling, improv, and rap. A primetime creative, she excels in many aspects such as hosting, music marketing/business, and bringing people together from all walks of life.
As the MC of Free the Mic, an open mic hosted at Lucky Tree, J.Bow cultivates a supportive, collaborative environment, and she encourages artists of all types and talents to put themselves and their work out there for the world to see. While J.Bow’s talent is multifaceted, there is a single-minded focus on connecting with the audience and connecting the members. Endlessly expressive, J.Bow’s performances focus on delivering meaningful lyrics from the heart. Her main goal is to inspire and cultivate an atmosphere of creativity while creating a culture of gratitude and appreciation of the arts. Want to see more of J.Bow?
You can follow her journey on Instagram @aroundjbow, and connect with her business HICAGE @hicagesupports or https://linktr.ee/hicagesupports
Church Da’Poet
Joseph “Church Da’Poet” is a poet, spoken word artist, writer, motivational speaker, and playwright. He is the co-founder of City Soul Cafe and Black Poetry Theatre, and has produced several plays including “Black Poetry”. As a motivational speaker, he infuses pieces of his story in ways that are relatable to all. Starting his poetic path at the tender age of 14 to release emotions not easily shared. Now, his mission is to teach youth how to communicate their emotions through the art of poetry and spoken word. Church has opened Saul Williams, Def Poetry Jam poets J.Ivy, Abyss, Georgia Me, Sonya Sanchez and performed with nationally recognized poets including Dasan Ahanu, Talaam Acey, Tia Smedley, John Goode and many more. His thoughts are provoking, engaging, and informative. Breathing life into the mic while garnering your attention with his strong voice and metaphors, Church is true to the art. You can follow his work and his journey at Churchdapoet on Facebook and Instagram.
Purpose the Poet
Purpose the Poet, formerly known as Halima Opata, is a Junior majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications at North Carolina A&T State University. She was born and raised in Laurinburg, NC, and graduated from Scotland High School with the class of 2021. Halima began writing poetry in high school, with one of her most celebrated poems entitled “Stop! Wait! Listen!”, which addresses the actions necessary for our community to progress in a world that often deems us lesser and unworthy. Since then, she has grown tremendously in her research, awareness, and delivery of poetry. Her poems cover an array of topics, each packed with power and passion for the subject matter and people they concern. Using the power of words, she ignites change, fosters connection, and welcomes you to a journey of self-discovery, social commentary, and artistic exploration.
Aye Jannay
Aye Jannay, who goes by Arie off-stage, is an artist at the very core of her being. Before any other realization came to be about who she felt she was and what she wanted to do with her life, she was creating art. Life has a funny way of working, however, and she found herself in service to the community as a Paramedic for just over a decade. Aye Jannay also has worked with non-profits focused on art therapy for addicts and mental health advocacy. As she’s gotten older, she has garnered many stories worth telling and a broad variety of experience seeing the many possible walks of life. Now, she returns to the essence of her calling: to tell stories and create meaningful art again.
Hausson Byrd
Hausson Byrd is an Artist, Organizer, a Collaborative Curator, a Graduate of NCAT, and a Relapsing Book Addict that uses his words, actions, and energy to create change and encourage positive growth. He has a degree in journalism and mass communication from North Carolina A&T University, where is currently studying to attain his Masters degree. He also coaches for the Aggie Live Poets on campus, and is the Community Arts Organizer for the NC Museum of Art in Winston-Salem. Additionally, this fall, he has been chosen for two separate residencies, also in Winston. One with The CMPND, and another with Poetic RnB at Bar Nola. You can find more info about those shows, and everything else he does by following him at @progress.ink on Instagram.
Mesinjah
Mesinjah is a visionary poet, lyricist, journalist, and spokesperson dedicated to enlightening the world through the transformative power of words. With a passion for opening minds and hearts, her work blends artistry and advocacy, inviting audiences to explore the depths of the human experience. Through her vivid writing and compelling delivery, Mesinjah seeks to inspire conversations that deserve attention, fostering a better understanding of life. Her mission is to craft a healthier world, beginning with the awareness that words hold power.
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Thank you to our sponsors! Signature Sponsors: North Carolina Black Alliance, Southern Vision Alliance, Ben Crump Law Firm; Freedom Sponsors: Paul Luebke and Frances Lynn Memorial Fund; Justice Sponsors: Democracy NC, Patterson Harkavy, Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, Anonymous, Anonymous; Advocate Sponsors: ACLU of North Carolina, Geri LaPlaca, Raleigh PACT, Steve Schewel & Lao Rubert, Elizabeth Stringer, Videri Chocolate Factory