AIIIIIIGHT SO BOOM

“What are you going to do with this moment?” –EbonyJanice On Day 1, I stepped into the Shiva Theater at The Public Theater. The same theater that Lin-Manuel Miranda and the beginnings of Hamilton and other great productions were workshopped and developed from the ground up. And I was coming with others expecting me to…

Intergenerational Community Arts Council Names Najee Omar First Artist-in-Residence

The Fort Greene/Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood has always been a home and creative hub for me. I’ve witnessed this neighborhood undergo massive transformation, and unfortunately, the change is too often orchestrated from the outside-in. As the Artist-in-Residence with the Intergenerational Community Arts Council, I am dedicated to using my art, curation, and community organizing to continue…

& to the thousand flowers: bloom

On Wednesday, January 17th, I had the great privilege of opening for Patrisse Cullors & asha bandele on the D.C. leg of their “When they Call You a Terrorist: Book Tour.” To asha: from one Brooklyn soul to another, thank you for seeing me. Thank you for saying it like it is. Thank you for…

The Poet Will Be Televised

… and that he was. Thank you Silvana Harlem for letting me get free on this last show of the year. The crowd, the band, the energy, the summoning, the cultivation, the space–were all electric. What an amazing way to reflect on all the joys and pains of the year. What a cleansing. And a…

In Living Color NYC

On Thursday, October 12th, I joined forces with the Black Avengers! With the help of singers Amani Na’kea and Brandon Hornsby-Selvin, percussionist and band leader Granville Mullings-Jr., and a host of amazing musicians, we were able to present a music-poetry hybrid, and take the audience on a journey through love, loss, and triumph. We had…

Reflections from Oakland

Reflecting on this week & thankful for the good folks in the Bay that created space for me. Run the World Clothing for making me an honorary member of the tribe ✊? Gabriel Cortez & the good folks at The Root Slam for welcoming me into their home & freeing themselves through the poem ??This has definitely been…

Oh, Hey Cali… Is that You?

Super excited to announce that I’ll be teaming up with some dope creatives who are deeply engaging community out on the West Coast. From Pop-Ups and workshops to fundraisers for young adults finding their voices through the arts. The Summer Tour officially continues in Oakland, CA! Let’s see how they do this in the Bay! #ALLSUMMA17

STooPS Recap!

On a stoop. In BedStuy. Family, Friends, Collegues, Neighbors, Children, Strangers, from so many walks of my life, popped up and loved up on me so hard yesterday. I don’t (and many never truly) have the words to describe what yesterday was. But someone else said it perfectly: “it’s beautiful…to watch you… free yourself like…

I Got the Keys! Poetry Incubator Recap

This is my “WE DID IT” & ” I THINK THEY LIKED ME” face ? …!!!! Major Shout Out  to Eve Ewing, Nate Marshall, and Ydalmi Noriega for inviting me back to this year’s Poetry Incubator to facilitate a workshop on exploring engagement strategies while working with youth. After yesterday’s workshop, I was reminded that there are…

Adapting to the Future of Work Conference

Huge Shout Out to JobsFirstNYC for inviting me back to the Adapting to the Future of Work Conference ?? Thank you for creating access & pathways for our youth to navigate careers. I always have a blast, plus y’all let me spit a poem about Kendrick before the concert! Looking forward to sharing space with…