Poems of Their Future | An Evening of Poetry and Performance

Poems of Their Future is an expression of reflection.

In response to , Poems of Their Future features poetry, music, and dance to build upon themes of history and heritage as these things exist sacredly in Freedmen’s Town. Poems of Their Future artistically echoes a call for preservation and education of Houston’s mother ward as it includes performances by Houston Poet Laureate Aris Kian, award-winning composer and Freedmen’s Town resident and multidisciplinary writer/artist Avalon Hogans.

About Avalon Hogans

Avalon Hogans is an artist, writer, and curator for change. As a dedicated advocate to civil rights through her poetry, Avalon was awarded with a proclamation for a day in her name (Avalon Hogans Day, November 17th) and was named the 2021-2022 Houston Youth Poet Laureate by the City of Houston. Since her laureateship, Avalon has collaborated with organizations such as the Houston Rockets, League of Women Voters, and NASA. She was named a 2023-2024 Freedmen’s Town Research Fellow at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH) where she conducts research and cultivates creative projects about the history of Houston’s first Black Historical District. Avalon poem was featured in a film by Nahtan (Nate Edwards) in the THIS WAY: A Houston Group Show exhibition at CAMH. Avalon was also named a 2023-2024 Loewenstern Fellow where she will help create and curate art for the Azadi Ethical Storytelling Project, an annual art exhibition in Nairobi, Kenya for the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30. Aside from her fellowships, Avalon is the librettist for Mami Wata: Uncovering Heritage Through Opera, which will be staged at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in February. Most recently, Avalon creative directed “Out of Bounds,” a Black student fashion show at Rice University and she’s currently creative directing Soul Night, a Black student musical showcase at Rice. Avalon is a sophomore at Rice studying Creative Writing, African and African American Studies, and Civic Leadership.

About Aris Kian

Aris Kian is a Houston enthusiast and student of abolitionists. Her poems are published with Button Poetry, West Branch, Obsidian Lit, The West Review and elsewhere. She ranks #2 in the 2023 Womxn of the World Poetry Slam and is the 2023-2025 Houston Poet Laureate. She received her MFA from the University of Houston as an Inprint C. Glenn Cambor Fellow and currently serves as the Narrative Change & Media Manager at Houston in Action.

About Goodnews Nwanko

Goodnews Nwankwo is an artist, creative director, and curator with a passion for community engagement and contemporary art. Most recently, Goodnews created Our House with Avalon Hogans, a contemporary art installation exploring concepts of Black hyphenated identity and the establishment of a home. The installation was commissioned in response to Studio Kër’s inaugural exhibition, We Gotta Get Back to the Crib.

In addition to his contemporary installations, Goodnews has also created space in hosting various community-centric events. Goodnews held a first-of-its-kind Model Digitals Workshop, which aimed to make modeling more accessible by providing 44 models with comprehensive digital photographs, measurements, and composite cards, all free of charge. Additionally, Goodnews hosted The Creative Meet-Up, an open-invite event geared towards connecting young creatives through modeling, photography, and networking.

Goodnews continues to pursue his studies at the University of Houston, drawing inspiration from the vibrant community around him and striving to create works that resonate and inspire.

Host or Publisher Contemporary Arts Museum Houston