The People’s Open Mic: All About Love

With excitement we’re talking All About Love in conversation with bell hooks seminal text as well as the writings of Assata Shakur Joy James and June Jordan!

All About Love is a challenge to stretch our conceptions of love to reach beyond family and romance toward something possibly even more fulfilling in community. We’ll be doing it in our usual process with an open mic during the Vision Intermission we’re gonna be thinking about the power of love through Affinity groups, so bring your peeps or find some new crew and let’s do it!

Mad love to our amazing features

Karina Ordóñez

Earl Spencer

Earl Spencer is a poet, mental health counselor, and martial arts instructor based in New York City. Born and raised in Queens, NY, he went from being isolated as a homeschooled student to coming of age in the largest and most diverse borough in the city. Spencer is releasing a poetry book this April where he challenges himself and the reader to write sonnets, haikus, prose and rap lyrics about our lives.

Leah V

Leah V is an award-winning performance poet, officiant and curator, offering nostalgic reflections as a first-gen Nuyorican rooted from the Bronx, New York. Throughout her work, Leah mixes memories with Romantic Age references and classic literary callbacks. Leah holds a BA in both English & Professional Writing and is founder & host of Mictastic NYC (@mictasticnyc). Leah has headlined 12+ feature length shows at the renowned off-broadway Triad Theater, where she now produces her own variety shows. In addition to the NYC scene, Leah often tours the higher-ed circuit; recently performing at UPenn Law School, DePauw University, Lehman College, Baruch College, and various grade schools throughout the greater NYC area. Leah wears many hats: previously, she was a recruiter in fintech, but these days her hats include acclaimed wedding officiant & poetry administrator for the RISE journey, an HR consulting firm bringing spoken word to corporations and nonprofit organizations internationally. Leah has most notably performed at the Apollo theater with Poetry me Please, and has also been seen on Voices In Power, CBS, BronxNet, and more. She prides herself on connection, community, and poignant wordplay. You can follow her everywhere at @LeahVspeaks &/or keep up with her by subscribing to LeahVspeaks.com

Finally to one of the chillest coffee shops in the heights!

Five Flies Coffee

Host or Publisher HoodSchool