POETRY SLAM FOR PEACE

IN OAKLAND WE DON’T JUST DREAM OF BETTER DAYS, WE SPEAK THEM INTO EXISTENCE

Creative communities play a key role in these transformative times. Slam Poets and Spoken Word Artists contribute in unique and powerful ways, communicating through performance art and unique expressions of place, from the grassroots, authentic, timely, and current.

About the Poetry Slam for Peace:

The Poetry Slam for Peace (www.gflp.org/poetry-slam) is not a competition; it is a cross-cultural intergenerational and intercultural platform, showcasing artists speaking in diverse voices, yet in unison. Beginning eight years ago with a performance at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café, a cultural icon on New York’s Lower East Side, the Poetry Slam for Peace has demonstrated proof of concept as a distinctive, impactful, and inspiring program, readily scalable, with content that can be
re-purposed on social media platforms for years after the original broadcast.

Progress over the past seven years has allowed us to build a presence as part of a global community. We have a library of over 50 original Poetry Slam for Peace performances (as some poets have appeared in more than one event) from poets in 24 countries and native American communities that can be re-purposed on social media platforms, have created a series of unique artist-designed posters, greatly enhanced our production capabilities, and have access to distribution platforms with global reach.

Now, the Poetry Slam for Peace has momentum to scale and to expand our outreach, going back to its roots as a live in-person showcase. Oakland has been chosen as the flagship for the first major live Poetry Slam for Peace event. The poetry slam community is energized and excited to showcase their art and their city.

The Poetry Slam for Peace will be held on January 18, 2025 at the Continental Club Oakland. Doors open at 5:00pm and the program starts at 5:30, ending at 7:00pm