Spoken Word & Music Event = Success!

Last Friday, Grand Rapidians filled the Wealthy Theater Annex to capacity to attend our highly-anticipated Spoken Word & Music event. All 75 chairs were filled (and roughly 30 people were left standing) to hear our middle school students read poems crafted in the past several weeks at the CYC.

Though local poets, music lovers, and curious members of the community filled the audience, the award for Heroes of the Night goes to our young poets and the students of Triumph Music Academy. The Triumph students performed in-tandem accompaniments to the CYC poems to form beautiful, inspiring works of art.

In case you missed the event (or attended, and LOVED it), we wanted to share a few sample pieces with you–just so you can experience the Awesome of our kids at the CYC.

I am Music 

by Diah

I am music following to your ears

I am love shooting into your heart

When you hear my voice you stop

And listen and wonder I am music

Who sings through hard times I am

Music which unites the whole race

America is a genre but I am music

And I sing for everyone. Just listen.

Black Women Are Our Guardians

by Qyliyah

I am a Art lovin’, music singin’,

Hip-hop dancin’, crazy girl

I am joyful, full of Passion

And will always have an

Open heart.

I am a child growing everyday

Walking from school to home

Trying to survive and being

Safe

I am my siblings Guardian

I will love and protect them

I cherish them with all

My heart we don’t get along

Very well but I love them and

I vow that I will protect

Even in my darkest fears

I am a black women.

–who says women can’t do what

A man can’t handle–

I am

by Aiyannah

I am my mother’s child

Tall, small feet, small hands

I am Ohio

Small, in a crib, loud

And a crybaby

I am Grand Rapids

Older, Responsible,

Respectful, and

Helpful

I am running, yelling

And laughing seeing 8

Legs and a big body

I am the daughter

Of an artist

Who raised

Me for who I

Am today

We couldn’t be more proud of our students!