Review of the Open-mic Celebration of Black History & Love at CAC@SJB

A few weeks ago, on Saturday, February 10th, we held our Open-Mic Celebration in honor of Black History & Love at CAC@SJB.. and it was yet another blessed time and memorable experience.. full of wonderful poetry, art, and inspiring performances by a very talented group of community teens and adults who came from all over Brooklyn and Queens to share their gifts with one another at the Center. For all of us involved at the Center, it was truly a wonder to behold.

Karen lent her strong voice and deep poetry at the open-mic event


New CAC Advisory Team member, Vaden, shares his thoughts and wisdom

This open-mic event is just another of a series of events where we utilize the powerful mediums of art, music, and poetry as a means to showcase the many gifted youth and adults of our community, and put them on display at the Center for the Arts & Culture at St. John the Baptist, here in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Yet another multi-talented teen, Ian, "krumped" the Center..


..while Luis Bernard lent his powerful voice and poetry as well

Every time we have held one of these special events, the youth and adults just keep coming and have inspired all of us in so many ways that just cannot be counted. These young people have a lot to say, and we have much to learn from all of them.. if we only take the time to listen.

Jose took no prisoners yet again at the Center

This special event in celebration of Black History & Love was hosted by first-time host, the very talented and gifted teen, Dominique Roberts. She showed and proved before another full house at the Center, that she is one young lady to look out for in the coming years as she continues in her artistic, academic, and professional growth. She was recently a semi-finalist at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Teen Poetry Slam Competition earlier this month.. so, we are definitely looking forward to more from her in the very near future. She was also given the first "You Go Girl" award at the Center by Luis Bernard of The In Progress Group, and it was well deserved. Keep doing your thing, Dominique!

Intelligent, lovely, and multi-gifted, Dominique , hosted the open-mic event

The open-mic was as hot as can be as the poetry and the performances left no doubt that these young people mean business, want to be heard, and have a lot to share. Returning to the Center were many of the young people who participated at the Open-mic Holiday Jam in December. We thank each and every one of them for coming back to the Center to take part in this special celebration. They each have such varied and unique gifts, that we are now looking forward to getting the new Spring 2007 Poetry Workshop going, beginning March 10th, 2007. The 5-week workshop will be facilitated by none other than our very own "Pied Piper of Poetry", Mr. Luis Bernard.. and it promises to be yet another impactive and inspiring time at the Center.

We definitely look forward to having these diverse and talented teens and young adults at the poetry workshops and at the next open-mic events at the Center in the months to come! We especially thank all those special individuals who gave of their time, donated food and refreshments.. and just helped make this event another great time for all our guests, and a great success for the Center. A very special thank you to Sr. Madeline Kavanaugh of the Daughters of Charity for blessing us with her presence on this special occassion.

To her and to everyone who attended.. and to all those who sent us well wishes from near and far for a successful event.. You know who you are.

Peace and blessings to you all!