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!