Hayesman takes Center Stage at The Apollo
HAYESMAN TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE
APOLLO BY JACKINA FARSHTEY
|
FALL
2016
75 YEARS
ords have a rhythm of
They’ve created award-wining youth development
underlying power that can
programs in the areas of creative writing, spoken
inspire or give us a stinging
word and college-prep. A trailblazer in the youth
taste of reality. At times,
literary arts movement, Urban Word Poets have
words leave us with a stark
performed at the White House and at Lincoln Center,
reminder of what it truly means to think, feel, and
and some of the poets have been awarded over one
exist. Throughout history, the spoken word has been
million dollars in college scholarships. In addition,
used to chronicle the human experience. Poetry has
they’ve been featured on HBO’s Brave New Voices,
often been the medium of choice for writers who
NPR, The New York Times and MSNBC.
choose to share their inner struggles and triumphs. On Saturday, April 18th, a young poet named Errol Franklin stepped onto the stage of the legendary Apollo Theater and spoke his truth. Franklin was one of twenty students who took part in the 2016 Urban Word NYC Poetry Slam Contest. The performances were a public diary filled with searing messages that left the audience branded with words that will seldom
“POETRY GAVE ME A PRODUCTIVE WAY
be forgotten. The topics ranged from cultural identity to social injustice. Franklin’s ode, Graduated Understanding of
TO USE MY EMOTIONS.”
Education, gave us an introspective view of the importance of education. A Harlem resident since childhood, Franklin has seen the social issues and challenges that urban youth often encounter. This poem is intended to encourage his peers to take a more proactive stance on intellectual progress. “Education is an investment for the future. In certain neighborhoods people are not thinking about education and how it will impact their future. I understand that switching these thoughts can be difficult. The shift happens when you are not willing to become a statistic.” Franklin’s time at Urban Word helped him channel his thoughts and brought about a greater sense of creativity through coaching from his youth mentor Sergio Jimenez. “Poetry gave me a productive way to use my emotions. As a male being emotional is frowned upon and you get patronized. This art form allows me to use my feelings to tell a story and convey a message. That is liberating.” Since 1999, Urban Word NYC has provided hundreds of young people with an outlet for self-expression.
COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Safiya Martinez Connell, Program Manager for Urban Word NYC, witnessed the transformative effects of poetry and how this medium can change lives. “The Slam Program is extremely competitive. Through the program our poets get to try on new hats. We train our young people to be supportive of one another in a peer group setting. Errol was fully invested in the program and showed tremendous growth. The transformation is inspiring to see. There are many different possibility models. We have young people who are cutting their teeth in the art world and in various areas of academia. They are using this platform as a leveraging tool for the next level.” Although Franklin was not chosen as one of the finalists, he walked away from the competition with a greater sense of conviction about his abilities. In the fall, Franklin plans to study engineering at the University at Buffalo.
FALL
2016 |
APOLLO BY JACKINA FARSHTEY
|
FALL
2016
75 YEARS
ords have a rhythm of
They’ve created award-wining youth development
underlying power that can
programs in the areas of creative writing, spoken
inspire or give us a stinging
word and college-prep. A trailblazer in the youth
taste of reality. At times,
literary arts movement, Urban Word Poets have
words leave us with a stark
performed at the White House and at Lincoln Center,
reminder of what it truly means to think, feel, and
and some of the poets have been awarded over one
exist. Throughout history, the spoken word has been
million dollars in college scholarships. In addition,
used to chronicle the human experience. Poetry has
they’ve been featured on HBO’s Brave New Voices,
often been the medium of choice for writers who
NPR, The New York Times and MSNBC.
choose to share their inner struggles and triumphs. On Saturday, April 18th, a young poet named Errol Franklin stepped onto the stage of the legendary Apollo Theater and spoke his truth. Franklin was one of twenty students who took part in the 2016 Urban Word NYC Poetry Slam Contest. The performances were a public diary filled with searing messages that left the audience branded with words that will seldom
“POETRY GAVE ME A PRODUCTIVE WAY
be forgotten. The topics ranged from cultural identity to social injustice. Franklin’s ode, Graduated Understanding of
TO USE MY EMOTIONS.”
Education, gave us an introspective view of the importance of education. A Harlem resident since childhood, Franklin has seen the social issues and challenges that urban youth often encounter. This poem is intended to encourage his peers to take a more proactive stance on intellectual progress. “Education is an investment for the future. In certain neighborhoods people are not thinking about education and how it will impact their future. I understand that switching these thoughts can be difficult. The shift happens when you are not willing to become a statistic.” Franklin’s time at Urban Word helped him channel his thoughts and brought about a greater sense of creativity through coaching from his youth mentor Sergio Jimenez. “Poetry gave me a productive way to use my emotions. As a male being emotional is frowned upon and you get patronized. This art form allows me to use my feelings to tell a story and convey a message. That is liberating.” Since 1999, Urban Word NYC has provided hundreds of young people with an outlet for self-expression.
COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Safiya Martinez Connell, Program Manager for Urban Word NYC, witnessed the transformative effects of poetry and how this medium can change lives. “The Slam Program is extremely competitive. Through the program our poets get to try on new hats. We train our young people to be supportive of one another in a peer group setting. Errol was fully invested in the program and showed tremendous growth. The transformation is inspiring to see. There are many different possibility models. We have young people who are cutting their teeth in the art world and in various areas of academia. They are using this platform as a leveraging tool for the next level.” Although Franklin was not chosen as one of the finalists, he walked away from the competition with a greater sense of conviction about his abilities. In the fall, Franklin plans to study engineering at the University at Buffalo.
FALL
2016 |
