Join us as we listen in on incredible work from local poets Rosie Bean, Amber Greene, and Tara A. Elliott, and the dynamic Truth Thomas! Hosted by none other than Salisbury Poet Laureate, Nancy Mitchell. And followed by an Open Mic – Bring a poem or two to read and come celebrate your truth!
LIVE! In-Person! Free!
Saturday, September 28, 2024 7:00pm
Where: Salisbury Art Space
212 W Main St #101, Salisbury, MD 21801
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TRUTH THOMAS is a singer-songwriter, poet, and photographer, born in Knoxville, Tennessee and raised in Washington, DC (the Capitol recording artist once known as Glenn Edward Thomas). He is the founder of Cherry Castle Publishing and studied creative writing at Howard University under Dr. Tony Medina. Thomas earned his MFA in poetry at New England College. His collections include Party of Black, A Day of Presence, Bottle of Life, Speak Water, winner of the 2013 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry and My TV is Not the Boss of Me, (a children's book, by Cory Thomas). He is a former Writer-in-Residence for the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo) and the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Howard County, Maryland. His poems have appeared in over 150 publications, including The 100 Best African American Poems (edited by Nikki Giovanni) and This Is the Honey (edited by Kwame Alexander). He is the creator of the Skinny poetry form and Editor-in-Chief of The Skinny Poetry Journal.
ROSIE BEAN is an observer of humanity, compelled to capture the raw emotions, struggles, and triumphs of individuals, portraying their stories through art. A political activist and member of marginalized communities, she infuses her personal experiences and passions into her work, advocating for systemic change and equality. Through art, Rosie strives to illuminate the beauty in the world while also shedding light on the pressing issues that demand our attention.
Dedicated to empowering our country’s future leaders and marginalized groups, AMBER GREENE has served as a Youth Development Specialist for her local city government, sits on both the Youth Development Advisory Committee and the Truth, Racial, Unity, Transformation and Healing (TRUTH) committee. Amber founded Fenix Youth Project Inc., a creative arts youth development 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on empowering youth to make social change while using art as a tool. Fenix Youth Project continues to be a trail blazing organization when servicing the homeless youth population of Lower Eastern Shore.
TARA A. ELLIOTT’s poems have appeared in 32 Poems, Ninth Letter, Cumberland River Review, and Birmingham Poetry Review, among others. An award-winning poet and educator, she serves as Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Writers Association (ESWA), and chair of the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. A former student of Lucille Clifton, she’s been awarded numerous grants and honors, including the Christine D. Sarbanes Award from MD Humanities. The Light of Literacy Award from Wicomico County Public Libraries, and Maryland State Arts Council’s Independent Artist Award.
NANCY MITCHELL is the author of The Near Surround, Grief Hut, and The Out-of-Body Shop, and co-editor of Plume Interviews I. A recipient of a Pushcart Prize, her poems have appeared in such journals as Agni, Green Mountains Review, Ploughshares, and Washington Square Review. She has taught in the English and Environmental Studies Departments at Salisbury University, Maryland, and is an Associate Editor for Plume Poetry Journal. She hosts the Zoom Reading Series Poets on the Plaza and serves as the Poet Laureate of the City of Salisbury, Maryland.