West Philly Community Poem
#1 - Fall 2021
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For 3 months in Fall 2021, the West Philly Community Poem set up outside of La Pearl Beauty Emporium on Lancaster Avenue. The idea was to give the neighborhood a voice through poetry and offer a place of healing and connection. Participants were prompted to write down the neighborhood's living history and envision its future, either in poetic form or personal narrative. Using typewriters the community added words to a long paper scroll.
A zine was published using selections from the full poem providing a "neighborhood plan" written by the people and for the people who live in the neighborhood. This document was shared with elected officials and other organizations offering the guidance in how the city should allocate resources to neighborhoods, prioritize community-based development, and support marginalized groups as they grapple with the effects of the pandemic, inflation, job loss, and the loss of loved ones. The narratives that are written in the community poem provide additional context and personhood to what otherwise might get lost in more standard forms of data.
The motifs that arise are interesting: Long time residents expecting more from the new neighbors and construction moving to the neighborhood. A demand for more green space with parks and services for the youth. Students, new to the block, getting their bearings and excited to contribute their energy. And all throughout a conversation about hope and light, reassuring that we will get through this, together.
In addition community members received personalized poems from local poets including: Cydney Brown (Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate), Jeannine A. Cook, LindoYes, Quentin The Poet, Alex Smith, Cashmere Harper, Christopher KP Brown, and Carlos Josê Pêrez Sâmano.
A zine was published using selections from the full poem providing a "neighborhood plan" written by the people and for the people who live in the neighborhood. This document was shared with elected officials and other organizations offering the guidance in how the city should allocate resources to neighborhoods, prioritize community-based development, and support marginalized groups as they grapple with the effects of the pandemic, inflation, job loss, and the loss of loved ones. The narratives that are written in the community poem provide additional context and personhood to what otherwise might get lost in more standard forms of data.
The motifs that arise are interesting: Long time residents expecting more from the new neighbors and construction moving to the neighborhood. A demand for more green space with parks and services for the youth. Students, new to the block, getting their bearings and excited to contribute their energy. And all throughout a conversation about hope and light, reassuring that we will get through this, together.
In addition community members received personalized poems from local poets including: Cydney Brown (Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate), Jeannine A. Cook, LindoYes, Quentin The Poet, Alex Smith, Cashmere Harper, Christopher KP Brown, and Carlos Josê Pêrez Sâmano.
You can follow @westphillycommunitypoem on Instagram
This project was an Everyday Places Artist Partnership
in collaboration with
The Barnes Foundation and People's Emergency Center
with additional support from
City of Philadelphia Office of Creative Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy
as part of their Neighborhood Arts Programs
August 18th - October 27, 2021 |
West Philadelphia, PA |
Recipient of 2022 Arts + Business Council Award
from the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
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Published here are excerpts from the 100 feet of typewritten text.
They can be read as individual poems or as one long, multi-faceted epic.
Contributors include: Jahwula Seapoe, Angel Hogan, Julia Daye, Makonnen Kenya, Latoya Miller, Cindy Pham, Jason Valdez, Asta Z, Henning Kirchberg, Alex Caba, Abby Moore, Zonia Moore, Elizabeth Ellis, Catherine Easley, Danele Alampay, Lindo Yes, Tanika Short, Camille, Prince Thomas, Coretta Powell, Aleysse, Joyce Schmidt Ojo-Allen, Joyce A. Harrell, Shaquana Watson, Rhonda Sadler, Roslyn McGee, Janeen Bailey, Karen Sudler, Amanda Vaden, Jackee Williams, Monele Hamilten, Timaria Brach, Teddy Poneman, Sam Nelson, Darraj Hossain, Kaylah Hernandez, Queen Phierce, Maxine Votee Robinson, Sam Sander-Effron,
+ so many more
LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE POEM:
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On October 27, 2021, community members performed excerpts of the West Philly Community Poem written over the previous three months.
This finale for the series took place at the New Africa Freedom Square on Lancaster Avenue
and featured performances by Cashmere Harper, LindoYes, Queen Phierce, Carla Gamble,
and Karen Smith and the Sistahs Laying Down Hands.
Thank you so much to Queen Phierce for documenting the evening!
This finale for the series took place at the New Africa Freedom Square on Lancaster Avenue
and featured performances by Cashmere Harper, LindoYes, Queen Phierce, Carla Gamble,
and Karen Smith and the Sistahs Laying Down Hands.
Thank you so much to Queen Phierce for documenting the evening!
PRESS:
8/22/2021: "This new arts initiative is welcoming West Philly to write a poem together" by Cassie Owens, Philadelphia Inquirer; https://www.inquirer.com/arts/everyday-places-barnes-west-philly-poetry-la-pearl-20210821.html
10/26/2021: "West Philly Community Poem pop-up" by Kaylah Hernandez, St. Joseph's The Hawk Newspaper;
http://www.sjuhawknews.com/west-philly-community-poem-pop-up/
8/02/2021: "Putting the Neighbor back into the Hood" by Zakariyah Harden, UTM Radio;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdMMdfc2Icw
07/01/2021: "PEC and the Barnes’ new partnership to engage local community with businesses, public spaces through art" by West Philly Local;
https://www.westphillylocal.com/2021/07/01/pec-and-the-barnes-new-partnership-to-engage-local-community-with-businesses-public-spaces-through-art/
10/26/2021: "West Philly Community Poem pop-up" by Kaylah Hernandez, St. Joseph's The Hawk Newspaper;
http://www.sjuhawknews.com/west-philly-community-poem-pop-up/
8/02/2021: "Putting the Neighbor back into the Hood" by Zakariyah Harden, UTM Radio;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdMMdfc2Icw
07/01/2021: "PEC and the Barnes’ new partnership to engage local community with businesses, public spaces through art" by West Philly Local;
https://www.westphillylocal.com/2021/07/01/pec-and-the-barnes-new-partnership-to-engage-local-community-with-businesses-public-spaces-through-art/
ON THE AIR:
November 2021: WXPN 88.5FM - Live at the Kelly Writer's House - Episode 146
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On November 4th, 2021, the West Philly Community Poem was invited by Kelly Writers House to share excerpts of the community poem as well as original verse on WXPN 88.5FM. The hour long broadcast featured performances by Christopher KP Brown, Cashmere Harper, Karen Smith, Carlos José Pérez Sámano, and LindoYes. The series is produced and hosted by Alli Katz.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Wednesday, August 18 at 4-6pm
with Cydney Brown (Philly’s 2021 Youth Poet Laureate) and Lindo Yes!
Sunday, August 29 at 3-5pm
with Alex Smith and Carlos José Pérez Sámano
Wednesday, September 8 at 4-6pm
with Jeannine A. Cook and Christopher K.P. Brown
Wednesday, October 13 at 4-6pm
with Quentin The Poet and Cashmere Harper
Final performance of the Community Poem
on Wednesday, October 27 at 6:30pm
at New Africa Freedom Square (4238 Lancaster Ave)
with Cydney Brown (Philly’s 2021 Youth Poet Laureate) and Lindo Yes!
Sunday, August 29 at 3-5pm
with Alex Smith and Carlos José Pérez Sámano
Wednesday, September 8 at 4-6pm
with Jeannine A. Cook and Christopher K.P. Brown
Wednesday, October 13 at 4-6pm
with Quentin The Poet and Cashmere Harper
Final performance of the Community Poem
on Wednesday, October 27 at 6:30pm
at New Africa Freedom Square (4238 Lancaster Ave)
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All imagery and content © 2023 Marshall James Kavanaugh. All Rights Reserved.
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