POETRY X HUNGER & THE NEW SCHOOL TEAM UP AGAINST HUNGER

 

There are venues that I frequent because I know the offered fare will be more than palatable, or because the people who also share the room are just plain cool. And then there are events and activities that I’m compelled to be a part of and to share with others because of the potential impact they can have in people's lives. The following fits the latter category.

Poetry X Hunger (PXH), the only online site I know dedicated to poetry about hunger, is partnering with the Food Studies Program of New York City’s The New School (TNS) to cohost Power through Poetry: Voices to End Hunger, yet another prong of the fork that PXH is sticking in the eye of hunger. I write, “yet another,” because in addition to the fundraising online event

PXH cohosted with Fizza Abbas this past August, there will be a fundraising Poartry Auction beginning on December 3, 2022. I’m really excited to be assisting Hiram Larew and JC Wayne, founder of The Poartry Project, with this initiative. But more on that soon.

Right now, I’d like to focus on the Power through Poetry: Voices to End Hunger event, which will be happening on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 2pm eastern. In case you haven’t heard of The New School, if ever there was a progressive institution of higher learning, I think it would be TNS. Don’t take my word for it, check them out here. As for the event itself, I can’t say it any better than the event coordinators, so according to TNS:

“This event will showcase powerful poems by 5-10 poets from New York City and beyond as they demonstrate the role that poetry is playing in speaking back to hunger. We’ll also hear from several food systems and social justice leaders who will briefly share insights about the heart-grabbing and mind-changing difference that poetry plays – or could play – in their efforts. The poems and commentaries will be followed by Q&A among the audience and panelists. Attendees will leave the event having heard, seen and felt – having learned – how poetry can contribute to strategies to fight hunger and food insecurity.”

Also from the TNS website: “The event will be moderated by Food Studies Program Chair Kristin Reynolds, Food Studies faculty member Thomas Forster, and Poetry X Hunger founder and poet Hiram Larew.” Those scheduled to read at the event include:

Sylvia Dianne Beverly aka Ladi Di
Tony Treanor (Cathal Mac Thréinfhir)
T. A. Niles
Linda Wolfe
Willeena Booker
Taku Chikepe
Janet Cannon
Henry Crawford

If you have the inclination and time, your presence would welcomed and appreciated.