Anthem Book Blog

Young, black men in Cleveland have gathered together in a group called The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word to write, read, and recite poetry.

Key quotes:

“They write about the world they know,” says Honey Bell-Bey, the visionary behind the group. She's become a surrogate mother of sorts to the dozen or so Distinguished Gentlemen who call her “Ms. Honey.” The group performs almost weekly, and Ms. Honey calls in reinforcements, friends and family members to help with logistics like transportation. They perform at churches and coffeehouses, on stage and at schools.

I love this:

“Let me tell you what my profile should read. Young, gifted and black, headed to succeed. The headlines that you read. The future doctor that you'll need. The owner of the land, I hold the deed. I don't sell or smoke weed. I can speak properly. And I can read,” [Jaron Harris] bellows with defiance and confidence.

Full Story at: Cleveland Free Times by Joshua Greene, Photos by Tina Brugnoletti

via Michael Schaub at Bookslut