Portals Poetry Jam
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting Portals to Poetry’s first poetry jam and it was incredibly heartwarming and surreal to witness everything come to life with everyone who contributed to the wonderful night we shared!
As an ode to the Spring Equinox, the theme of this jam encouraged us to reflect on the transformations we’ve been experiencing and to set meaningful intentions for the season ahead, and together we got to listen to a dynamic set of performances by talented Black women and femmes, while engaging with thoughtfully curated stations from custom candles to personalized vision boards and handcrafted bouquets.
By the end of the night, I walked away feeling fulfilled and free because I’ve always dreamed of creating a platform that celebrates the ingenuity of our poets and performers in a space that uplifts the possibilities that exists within our creativity. And I’m grateful that I leaned into this vision and committed to the process of coordinating this event, despite my fears and hesitation.
Since this is the first event I’ve organized in LA, there were many times I questioned whether I was ready or not, and if this is what my community needed. But as a creative, I knew it was what I needed – to offer and align with my purpose, and it ultimately proved that when those doubts trickle in, it is all the more reason to keep going. And I’m just getting started.
Through Portals Poetry Jam, I aim to gather and uplift the voices in my community through the art of storytelling and live performances. To further unite artists, writers, poets, performers, and folks from all walks of life in a dynamic environment that encourages freedom and self-expression. And if you believe in the power of language, desire a platform to express yourself, and spark meaningful conversations, this space is for you.
This jam prepared us for the Spring Equinox and the next one will get us lit for the Summer Solstice! So, this will be a seasonal gathering throughout the year that honors the oral tradition of live performances and community building through immersive and creative activations. It is uniquely and unapologetically Black owned and Femme-centric, but of course, open to any and all who align with my mission to shape and inspire healing narratives.