Dodge Poetry Festival, 2022

A man with a green hat and black shirt standing in front of a colorful event poster for the Dodge Poetry Festival, with his hands forming a triangular shape at his waist, in an indoor setting with framed artwork in the background.

A man with a green knit hat, sitting on a chair on stage at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in Newark, New Jersey. He is holding a notebook, wearing a black button-up shirt, khaki pants, and a gold watch. A microphone on a stand is positioned in front of hi

Man holding a colorful bouquet of flowers standing in front of a sign that reads, 'Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival 1986, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, NJPAC, City of New York.

A man with a green knit hat and dark green shirt is reading from a paper while standing in front of a woman wearing a pink bandana, glasses, and a black face mask at an event with a banner in the background.

Bus Boys & Poets,

Washington D.C.

4/12/22

“Rubicon” Performance

Performed at the “Episodes” Private Event

July 2021 in New Providence, N. J.

Maplewood BLM Poetry Exhibit

A person wearing a black face mask, denim jacket, black pants, and checkered shoes standing outdoors next to a large white informational poster with red text. The background includes bare trees and a grassy area.

A man standing outdoors on a trail reads a large printed poetry poster titled 'How Doves Come to Tears'. The poster is part of the Maplewood Black Lives Matter Poetry Project, with the poem forming the majority of the visible text.

Sign for Maplevod Black Lives Matter Poetry Project, featuring a QR code, with outdoor background including plants and a cloudy sky.

Event poster for a Fall Risk Book Launch featuring a woman sitting with her knees up, wearing a black top, blue pants, and earrings, with text overlay detailing date, time, location, and activities of the event.

Person holding two badges that say "New Art Arts" on a gray floor with tan shoes and black pants visible from a top-down view.

A smiling person with dreadlocks, wearing a beaded necklace and a knit hat, standing in front of an event flyer with a yellow, orange, and gray background, listing various art and poetry events in October.

A man with long dreadlocks and a black shirt is speaking into a microphone in a restaurant or bar, with patrons sitting at tables watching. On the wall, there is a fire department sign that says 'TROGS' and a TV screen showing a sports game.

Two women wearing white T-shirts and blue jeans standing outdoors, holding papers, with one wearing glasses and the other wearing a yellow hat and black face mask, at what appears to be a festival or event.

A woman wearing a red headscarf and colorful African-patterned clothing standing next to two framed artwork portraits of women with head coverings, displayed on a white gallery wall.

A black and white photo of a man speaking or performing in front of a microphone at the Paterson Poetry Festival 2021. The event promotes art as activism and is scheduled for October 3, 2021, at 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ.

Colorful painting of a woman with purple skin, wearing a vibrant African headwrap, surrounded by traditional African artifacts such as masks, shields, and flowers, with a turquoise background featuring white tribal patterns.

People sitting at tables outdoors, reading papers and engaging in discussions. The scene suggests a community event or meeting with multiple groups of women, some wearing casual attire and others with colorful clothing, hats, and accessories.

Outdoor event stage with a banner reading 'Newark Arts' at sunset, with speakers and a DJ in the background.

Flyer for C Nights open mic showcase and after-party at Cryout Cave, Newark NJ. Features Ras Heru Treasure and other performers, with date October 15. Includes photos of performers, event details, location, and media coverage info.

Poster for 'Bards Off Broadway' poetry reading and open mic event on November 15th at Nip N Tuck Bar and Grill, featuring poets Ras Heru, Chris Rockwell, Damian Rucci, and Alise Versella, with a neon sign-style title on a dark background.

JOIN US for

RUBICON RALLY 1: FOOD 4 THOUGHT

Sunday, April 11th at 5pm!

Presenting:

“HER STORY: A Painting, Dedication, and Interview with Dayana Poulard”

Artist Dayana Poulard talks about her process, inspiration, and intention behind her latest artwork, Her Story, which includes text The Rubicon! Watch below.

“THE COUCH POETS COLLECTIVE” EPISODE 3!

February 6th, 2021

Excited to be headlining this awesome event! Join Us!Free Zoom EventMeeting ID: 881 6192 4857 : Passcode: 681902 — Excited to be headlining this awesome event! Join Us!
**Free Zoom Event**
Meeting ID: 881 6192 4857 : Passcode: 681902

A Relevant Word

on Black History Month

For years I noticed that the celebration of Blackness/Black History/Black Achievement in

America during each and every February seemed a bit lazy and partisan. For years I couldn’t put

my finger on why state-sponsored celebration of BHM tended to feel ploy-like, duplicitous.

Then I got it…

Amongst most schools, institutions, and public spaces that deck out their décor with Black

symbolisms and commonly-known Black figures of the past, there is a trend to celebrate Black

achievement only as it relates to either (1) overcoming pain/trauma/tragedy or (2) celebrating Black

people/achievement solely at it pertains to breaking into historically anti-Black spaces. In the

article linked to the image below, I address the problems of BOTH these trends and provide insight

and strategy to avoid and overcome it. Below is an excerpt of the article.

Click the image to read full article at thenewarktimes.com published Feb. 2017

“There will be a continuing rotation of stories of Black people “breaking the color barrier” this month and at the same time we will seldom hear of stories of Black individuals, communities, and institutions, that opted for trying not to fit into the greater-American fold but instead choose social, professional, and economic self-reliance instead and we all know why we will not hear these stories; they do not benefit the greater American narrative that continues to write and rewrite itself. Because of this, stories of Black achievement in the name of self-determinism in response to the treatment of the day have no space on our nation’s school bulletin boards. These acknowledgements of Black people by Black people for the sake of Black people have no place at center stage of our mainstream American past times and programs (see Beyonce and Tommie Smith and John Carlos).”

when+people+speak.jpg — Flyer for “When People Speak” featuring Real As Promised & Ras Heru

“How Doves Come to Tears” displayed in Maplewood Black Lives Matter Poetry Project

(12/11/20)

To see full exhibit information, click here.

On being a selected poet in the Maplewood Arts Council BLM Poetry Town Exhibit

RUBICON CHALLENGE VIDEOS 5 - 8

The #RubiconChallenge is an effort to boost readership of The Rubicon and also give “Rubicon” readers a chance to make a social impact. Readers who submit a video of themselves performing/reading an excerpt of The Rubicon will have $5 of their book purchase dedicated to a pot that a local charitable organization will use to continue serving their and our community!

“How Doves Come to Tears” read by Robin and Patricia

Experience renaissance artist read thus spectacular poem from Ras Heru's "The Rubicon" !

Ras Heru performs The Rubicon

at the 4 Year Anniversary Celebration of Above Arts Studios in New Brunswick, NJ. (12/10/20)

RUBICON CHALLENGE VIDEOS 1 - 4

The #RubiconChallenge is an effort to boost readership of The Rubicon and also give “Rubicon” readers a chance to make a social impact. Readers who submit a video of themselves performing/reading an excerpt of The Rubicon will have $5 of their book purchase dedicated to a pot that a local charitable organization will use to continue serving their and our community!

“In Celebration of a Fatal Baptism” read by Rubicon illustrator Dayana Poulard

"“Have You Ever Seen the Reign?” read by Dante Ebron

“Burning and Looting” read by Donyah Richardson-Thurmond

“A Cautionary Tale about Stones” read by Mariah Alston