Poets for the People

In collaboration with the Guild Literary Complex, Cave Canem, and the BLK+BRWN Bookstore, Exhibit B is hosting a series of literary events, free and open to the public, at the Black Archives of Mid-America which will center Black artists and allies.

This program is made possible by the support of Cave Canem Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets.

FULL EVENT SCHEDULE

Thurs. February 8th

5:00 PM - KC All Stars Open Mic hosted by Brandon "Amayzn" Nelson

Sign-up starts at 5 PM and all performers will have 3 minutes to read their work.

7:00 PM - Opening Reading

Performances from Patricia Smith, Roger Reeves, Dr. Taylor Byas, jason b. crawford, and Niki Herd

Friday February 9th

12:30 PM - In Conversation with J. Howard Rosier

Critic and author, J. Howard Rosier will be joined by specials guests for a discussion surrounding contemporary literature.

2:00 PM Reading

Poets Brittany Rogers, Bernardo Wade, India Lena Gonzalez, and Kenyatta Rogers will read selections from their latest work.

3:30 PM - Killing the Negative: Book Talk & Reading

Join poets Quraysh Ali Lansana and Moheb Soliman and visual artist Joel Daniel Phillips in reading and discussion, celebrating their new book, Killing the Negative: A Conversation in Art &Verse. A multi-year collaborative project, Killing the Negative is an ekphrastic response to the destruction of Depression-era photography of rural America —photos that were originally commissioned by the Farm Security Administration and destroyed by the administration's own director. Together, the poet and artist will discuss the project and the questions it raises about power, representation, and America’s narratives.

5:00 PM - Closing Reading

Poets m. mick powell, Grayson Thompson, and Donika Kelly will perform their latest works.