By Jessica Wallach | Accessibility and Digital Content Manager
This year we marked Juneteenth by celebrating middle school and high school student voices at the Comcast Spoken Word Poetry Contest. Students performed an original piece inspired by one of the following topics: the history of Juneteenth; the future of equity; freedom, civil rights and social justice; or celebrating Juneteenth freedom. Each poet’s words drew detailed pictures to bring intense meaning to this day. Eighth grader, Osaze Murray, won over the judges with his poem that tells a story of an enslaved man who learned of emancipation on Juneteenth, and what he thought about. Here are a few lines from his winning poem:
“Stuck in this endless loop of
if I don’t share the stories
of the first black troops,
of Anansi and Bird Fox. These stories took away
the pain from my locks
and chains”
-Osaze Murray
See NBC4’s coverage of the Comcast Spoken Word Poetry Contest: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TPEUzCkVZ8s
We partnered with members of the Black Employee Networks (BEN) at Comcast, NBC4 News/Telemundo, and The Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore to build this impactful day. Throughout the event, partner members reminded the young poets it is their birthright to take up space, know they belong wherever they are, and that their voices matter.
Story Tapestries’ Spoken Word Poet, Regie Cabico, coached students on writing and reading their poems. Teachers, like Mr. Janek of Kipp DC College Prep and Miss Maloney of Samuel Ogle Middle School, worked directly with the students to support them as they wrote their poetry. These poems and performances - these stories - would not have been shared without their support.
Through this program, and others funded by Comcast, we build up young people’s ability to tell their stories, elevate their voices, and celebrate their communities. Whether on the page or on social media, we provide young people access to cultural capital and experiences where they can fill their souls and their hearts. They need these experiences - the opportunity to not only write but share their poetry - so that they practice taking up space, taking the time they need to be heard, to show the world who they are, where they are from and all they can do. This is the heart of the work we do in collaboration with Comcast and our Digital Solutions That Bridge the Divide initiative. Each of the three winners of the contest received a laptop computer so they can keep on writing and stay connected.
Story Tapestries collaborates with Comcast, NBC/Telemundo, and the Boys and Girls Club, because they don't just stand by and watch magic happen - they actively MAKE magic happen. Together, we address vital community issues for millions of people of all ages and abilities, using the arts in all forms as a tool to create tailored, accessible programs. We urge you to join us in celebrating this great work, and invite you to be part of it.
–based on CEO, Arianna Ross' talk at the Comcast Juneteenth Spoken Word Poetry Contest
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