2008 Woodie Awards
Spoken-word group motivates community
Jamie Ramsuer
Contributing Writer
Issue date: 6/11/07 Section: Lifestyles
From open mic nights to community outreach, the small group who has come to be known as the Africa Town Poets Society, or ATPS, has created a huge wave of excitement throughout the Mobile community. In just a few short years, the group of spoken-word lyricists has made a positive and respected name for themselves, not only through their words, but also through their continuous efforts to strengthen the Black-American community.
Though the group has been making an impact on the poetic scene for quite some time, their notoriety came about shortly after their performance at the Saenger Theatre. ATPS opened for renowned poet/author/activist Nikki Giovanni during the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
The Africa Town Poets, whose mission is to enlighten people through knowledge of culture and respect for Self, began over two years ago with the two founders who go by the stage names Huggie Bear da Poet and Ms. Khris da Lyricist. The group's name began with Robert Battles, CEO of the Africa Town Mission project. Battles, who is also Huggie Bear's mentor, informed him that Mobile was the last place that Africans were brought to the United States to be used as slaves. The Africa Town port was where the ship docked and was the last slave ship to come to the U.S.
From this momentous occasion in the history of Black-American culture came the beginning of a new chapter in Mobile's future, the group that we now call Africa Town Poets Society.
The founders wanted to form a collection of the best poets in the area, but they also strived to be set apart from other social organizations.
"Once a name was established we decided to look for people willing to participate," Huggie Bear stated. "The criteria for a member of ATPS are a deep-rooted love for spoken word, a strong desire to be a product of change and willingness to volunteer and be active in the community."
The members of Africa Town Poets feel that they can use their ability to transform language into an art form to help others, particularly the younger generation. Their desire to promote resolutions for the problems and social ills affecting our community has led the group to become involved in various after-school programs, community tutorial programs and writing workshops. Not receiving compensation for the majority of their community-service events, these individuals possess a true passion for their work.
Though the group has been making an impact on the poetic scene for quite some time, their notoriety came about shortly after their performance at the Saenger Theatre. ATPS opened for renowned poet/author/activist Nikki Giovanni during the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
The Africa Town Poets, whose mission is to enlighten people through knowledge of culture and respect for Self, began over two years ago with the two founders who go by the stage names Huggie Bear da Poet and Ms. Khris da Lyricist. The group's name began with Robert Battles, CEO of the Africa Town Mission project. Battles, who is also Huggie Bear's mentor, informed him that Mobile was the last place that Africans were brought to the United States to be used as slaves. The Africa Town port was where the ship docked and was the last slave ship to come to the U.S.
From this momentous occasion in the history of Black-American culture came the beginning of a new chapter in Mobile's future, the group that we now call Africa Town Poets Society.
The founders wanted to form a collection of the best poets in the area, but they also strived to be set apart from other social organizations.
"Once a name was established we decided to look for people willing to participate," Huggie Bear stated. "The criteria for a member of ATPS are a deep-rooted love for spoken word, a strong desire to be a product of change and willingness to volunteer and be active in the community."
The members of Africa Town Poets feel that they can use their ability to transform language into an art form to help others, particularly the younger generation. Their desire to promote resolutions for the problems and social ills affecting our community has led the group to become involved in various after-school programs, community tutorial programs and writing workshops. Not receiving compensation for the majority of their community-service events, these individuals possess a true passion for their work.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Olga
posted 6/12/07 @ 9:10 PM EST
I love it babe. Congrats Jay. I love you girl.
Post a Comment