Honor Our Community's Heroes - Sunday, October 12, 2008

It's important to take a moment out of our lives to say,
"Thank you. Well done."
Join us
on Sunday, October 12 as we honor several of our community's heroes -
the people and organizations who have given so much of themselves
in the struggle for equality.

Triangle Foundation is proud to announce the 2008 Catalyst Awards recipients:

Johnny Jenkins Jr., founding director of the Detroit chapter of the Black Pride Society,
which works to advance equality for the African American LGBT community

R Cole Bouck, within the Michigan Department of Corrections, working for LGBT
protections for both employees and offenders

Grand Valley State University, creating social change in West Michigan
through their policies affirming the LGBT community

Yoni (Jonathan) Siden, as a student, worked to create dialogue and action
to protect LGBT youth in Washtenaw County schools

Stephanie Sandberg, creator of the play Seven Passages: Stories of Gay Christians
based on interviews with 127 gay and lesbian Christians in West Michigan

We will honor these community heroes at the Westin - Southfield as part of the 2008 State Dinner Event. In addition to the dinner and awards, the evening will begin with a hors d'eourve and silent auction reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Your $150 ticket will support the work that Triangle Foundation does every day to make our wider community a safer and more welcoming place.

Please make your reservation today.

HTJ!2008 Poetry Slam
@ 1515 Broadway Theater
$100.00 Grand Prize & Title, Featuring Invincible, JyObadele, SoundCircle, Open Mic + More

It's officially the hottest, most inclusive slam in the Motor City, continuing our creed to celebrate "All Kinds of Poetry" in the EchoVerse. This annual event features our award-winning open mic, a special performance by Invincible and the 2008 Detroit Slam Team, with Resident Host JyObadele, and Resident DJ Andre Royster spinning deep house, soul and hip-hop and the 2008 Detroit Slam Team. It's a special tribute to the oldest black, same-gender-loving pride celebration in the Midwest, Detroit's Hotter Than July.

Cover is $10-15.00. Donations accepted. Doors open at 8:00 p.m., Open Mic begins around 9:00 p.m. and Slam starts at 10:00 p.m. Slam Poets need to check in before 9:00 p.m. (including pre-registered poets).

2007 Best Open Mic Poetry 2006 Best Hip Hop Open Mic
- Metrotimes -Real Detroit Weekly


Sunday Café, Slam D: Poetry @ Campus Martius
In beautiful Downtown Detroit across from Compuware WHQ. Free Every Sunday 5 pm to 8 pm

Slam participants should come early to sign-up for the slam. The winner of each week will be invited to the final stage to compete for the 2008 Slam D Title and a cash prize. $75.00 Slam Prize every week.

Hence the reason amending the Elliot Larson Amendment in the Michigan constitution to include sexual orientation and gender identity is so important to many in our community.

Next time you hear someone say we're asking for special rights, correct them with the truth and ask them to support an amendment to protect our right to make a living for our families.

Remember, every conversation makes you an activist for equality. Congrats to Hamtramck for protecting all its citizens.

Peace.
Blessings.

Jy

=============================================

Hamtramck gives gays discrimination protection

It is 17th city in Michigan to do so

BY ERIC D. LAWRENCE • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • June 12, 2008

In some places, it's legal to fire people because of their sexual orientation. That's not the case in Hamtramck.

The City Council and the mayor voted 6-1 Tuesday night to expand its anti-discrimination protections to include someone's sexual orientation.

Sean Kosofsky, spokesman for Detroit's Triangle Foundation, said Hamtramck's ordinance continues the trend toward banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Many people, he said, are unaware that most cities don't ban discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents. Federal employment law also doesn't cover sexual orientation for nonfederal employees. Kosofsky said state and federal employees are protected based on sexual orientation.

"Once people learn that it's legal to fire people because they're gay, they get really angry," he said.

Hamtramck is the 17th community in Michigan to ban such discrimination. Other metro Detroit cities -- Birmingham, Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Ferndale -- have varying protections for people, Kosofsky said.

Hamtramck Councilmember Scott Klein, who was credited with originating the expanded ordinance, said it now covers the "whole cornucopia of categories" for potential discrimination.

Klein, who said he has experienced discrimination as a gay man, said he is discouraged by the state Legislature's failure to ban sexual orientation discrimination statewide.

"It seems that our legislators don't believe in the Constitution. If everybody's equal, then everybody gets protections under the law," he said.

Councilmember Alan Shulgon voted against the ordinance, saying he believes other local, state and federal laws already offer ample antidiscrimination protections and there are more pressing concerns.

"The city of Hamtramck has always been a diverse community from day one," Shulgon said. "We need to start talking about how the city's being run."

Contact ERIC D. LAWRENCE at elawrence@freepress.com.

Welcome to the EchoVerse Folk,

We got some great features coming to the Java Exchange Cafe this Summer. Also, come and check Andre and myself out at the Detroit Public Library's Java & Jazz Coffeehouse Series with Jazz artist Mubaruk Hakim at 6:00 p.m. next Tuesday.



5.20.

08 EchoVerse Poetry @ Java & Jazz Series

5.30.

08 Divine Lyricist

6.06.

08 Tava Simon

6.13.08 D.E.E.P.

of Starving Poets

6.20.

08 BATTLE OF THE SEXES

6.27.

08 2008 CityWide Poet's Youth Slam Team

7.11.

08 Selah David

7.26.

08 HTJ2008 POETRY SLAM & JAM

8.05.

08 National Poetry Slam

8.06.

08 National Poetry Slam

8.07.

08 National Poetry Slam

8.08.

08 National Poetry Slam

8.09.

08 National Poetry Slam

Peace. Blessings.


ECHOVERSE POETRY + SLAM SERIES

JyObadele | Johnny Jenkins Jr.


www. echoversepoetry. com


Hosted By: EchoVerse Entertainment
When: Friday Jun 20, 2008
at 8:00 PM
Where: 1515 Broadway Theater
1515 Broadway
Detroit, Michigan|23 48226
United States
Description:
EchoVerse Entertainment

Click Here To View Event

Today i'm sitting in the largest sit down dinner in America. It's produced by the self proclaimed biggest and baddest chapter of the NAACP located in Detroit.

I can't argue the "biggest" proclamation, but I do take issue with "baddest". When I think of an individual or organization that is truly bad, I think of them having the courage to act upon their convictions. They have a clear understanding of their purpose and mission in life.

The Detroit Branch of the NAACP is truly the baddest amongst all the NAACP chapters. Nevertheless, it has shortcomings. I argue its leadership lacks the courage to truly fight for social justice and equality for all African Americans in Southeast Michigan and beyond.

The organization has yet to actively engage Detroit's black same-gender-loving community of gays, lesbians, bi-affectionate and transgender people.

The black GLBT community made an attempt to engage the Detroit Branch's leadership a few years ago in an effort to get some level of support for a disenfranchised black segment of the community under assault, while also developing a fledgling social justice voice. My community was essentially rejected. I personally felt dejected that our local black social justice organization would turn its back on a neglected community that falls within its professed mission.

So I sit at this dinner a little confused. I believe in the NAACP's relevance. Until someone introduces something better, it's one of the only independent institutional voices in the black community.

The Detroit Branch certainly has some degree of courage. It had the courage to invite Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. to this dinner as its keynote. Detroit loves being racially provocative. It's one of the traits I adore about my city. But the local branch lacks the courage to include equality for same-gender-loving families and individuals in Detroit.

They have the courage to alienate tens of thounds GLBT Detroiters. So, I argue the title of "baddest" must be deferred until the branch decides to be on mission. It must work to be representative of all people of color, despite sexual orientation and gender identity. It's unacceptable for this chapter to lack the courage to pursue what's right, and not what is most comfortable for black preachers and the political status quo in this region.

I need my Detroit Branch, as a member and social justice activist. Black GLBT people in the city need this organization to have the courage to be on mission at all ties. I will continue to engage, and will push to make sure this organization can claim the courage to embrace all black people. Not just those they feel a sense of political comfort.

Peace.
Blessings.

JyObadele | Johnny Jenkins Jr.

"Different does not mean deficient." -Rev. Jerimiah Wright Jr.

2008 DETROIT SLAM TEAM

It was a heck of a show. All the poets brought their A-game to last weeks EchoVerse IV: The Final Stage event. At the end of the night, only four was standing. The EchoVerse Poetry & Slam Series presents the 2008 Detroit Slam Team...


Omari King Wise
2008 Detroit Grand Slam Champion

is a Detroit based poet and founder of Uhuru Cipher Artists Management. Since 2001, he has held the attention of audiences across the country including representing Detroit, MI as a member of the 2006 and 2007 National Poetry Slam Teams, and a member of the 2007 Rust Belt Championship Slam Team. As an artist, he has co-founded the super poetry group, 3rd Eye Open poetry Collective. King Wise is also the co-founder of a lecture group that is responsible for the activist series "Hip-Poe-Tics", which focuses on influencing activism through Hip-Hop, Poetry and Politics in Universities and communities around the nation.


Marsha Carter

Marsha Carter is a modern day poet. She was born and raised in Detroit and uses her personal life experiences in her performances. Her writing style is simple. She transforms life's lessons into poetry. Her goal is to bring people closer to God by including messages about the Bible in her work. In December 2006, she independently produced her first CD "Broccoli Don't taste Like Peach Cobbler." The CD combines Marsha's powerful delivery of poetry over jazz and soulful beats. People describe her CD as "down to earth," "funny," "professional" and "very strong opinions." In 2007, she was selected from a pool of 500 to perform as a finalist at the Music Hall for Detroit's "Bring-It Talent Competition."


T-Miller

T-Miller is the 2007 Detroit Grand Slam Champion and a member of last year's EchoVerse Slam Team. She's also the host and producer of popular open mic venue at the Hunter Supper club called Exposure. And all though poetry isn't about the points, this year she ranked among the top five female poets in the first annual Women Of The World National Poetry Slam.


Justice Umbiya

Justice is a driven poetry/spoken word artist, model & teacher who started making his mark in his craft in Detroit. He has performed at notable venues such as Café Mahogany, PicNap Poetry, The Byte this Poetry Series, EchoVerse Poetry & Slam Series, The Artist Village, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Nuyorican Poetz Cafe & The Lizard Lounge among others. He has performed at schools across the East Coast and Midwest ranging from elementary to collegiate levels. Justice is well versed in topics but is well known in most arenas for his volley of love poems. Justice started bringing his political, comical, and self conscious variety to light, utilizing Slam competitions across the Midwest and East Coast.

Support the Detroit Slam Team in the EchoVerse every Friday. Every Friday you attend you help us raise funds for our trip to Madison, Wisconsin for the National Poetry Slam. Check out the website for upcoming special events, feature performances and to make donations to the team.

The following is for all you die-hards who simply like looking at numbers... Enjoy!

========================================

SACRIFICE:
Dream 28.2

========================================

FIRST ROUND:

1. Justice 28.5
2. Selah David 26.6
3. Tava Simon 29.0
4. Keebie 27.6
5. Omari King Wise 30.0
6. T-Miller 29.0
7. Karega Ani 29.6
8. Marsha Carter 30.0
9. HiStory 27.6
10. Divine Lyricist 28.4

========================================

1. Marsha Carter 29.0
2. Omari King Wise 29.4
3. Karega Ani 27.2
4. Tava Simon 28.2
5. T-Miller 28.9
6. Justice 29.0
7. Divine Lyricist 26.9


========================================

FIRST PLACE:
Omari King Wise 59.4

SECONDE PLACE:
Marsha Carter 59.0

THIRD PLACE:
T-Miller 57.9

FOURTH PLACE:
Justice Umbiya 57.5

5. Tava Simon 57.2

6. Karega Ani 56.8

7. Divine Lyricist 55.3


www.echoversepoetry.com

Peace. Blessings
ECHOVERSE POETRY & SLAM SERIES

Johnny "Obadele" Jenkins Jr.
EchoVerse Entertainment
Resident Host

Andre Royster
EchoVerse Entertainment
Resident DJ

This video is all three elements at the same time. Charles Pugh for Detroit City Council. Will we ever get any relief?



Nevertheless, I still love my city. Don't fuck with Detroit or Detroit will fuck with you.

Check out the latest via: echoversepoetry.com


Congratulations to all the 2008 EchoVerse Poetry Slam participants for providing another great season of performance poetry in Detroit. EchoVerse Entertainment also sends madluv to all our poets, patrons, fans and volunteers for making this one of the best seasons ever.

Join us for EchoVerse IV: The Final Stage to determine the 2008 Detroit Slam Team. This Friday, April 18th we crown the 2008 Detroit Grand Slam Champion. Emcee duties provided by Slam Master Johnny "JyObadele" Jenkins Jr. (Spoken Word), with slammin' grooves by The SoundCircle Collective's DJ Andre Royster (House) and Michelle "Free Thought" Anderson (Hip Hop).

After six months of slamming, the 2008 EchoVerse Poetry Slam finalist include...

- Divine Lyricist
- HiStory (Londell Thomas)
- Justice Umbiya
- Karega Ani
- Keebie
- Liteshineth
- Marsha Carter
- Omari King Wise
- Tava Simon
- T-Miller
- Selah David

Slam finalist check-in is between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Doors open to the general public at 8:00 p.m. Limited Edition "All Kind Of Poetry" Open Mic begins at 9:00 p.m. Location: 1515 Broadway Theater, Downtown Detroit, Michigan 48207, (313) 965-1515.

Peace Blessings.
ECHOVERSE POETRY AND SLAM SERIES

Slam Master | Johnny Jenkins Jr. | Resident Host
Business Mgr. | Andre Royster | Resident DJ

www.echoversepoetry.com
www.myspace.com/echoversepoetry

Semi-Final One
FRIDAY, APRIL 4th @ JAVA EXCHANGE CAFE

1. Londell Thomas
2. Tava
3. O Negative
4. Divine Lyrcist
5. T-Miller
6. Epiphany
7. Karega Ani
8. Prince Tijani
9. Speak Loudly
10. Delicious

Semi-Final Two (Revised)
FRIDAY, APRIL 11th @ JAVA EXCHANGE CAFE

1. Justice
2. Omari King Wise
3. Marsha Carter
4. Keebie
5. Liteshineth
6. Selah David
7. One
8. Wesley
9. Ashley Smith
10. Matvega

The following poets on standby qualify to fill any opening during either semi-final. Only slam poets who have participated during the season qualify. Inquire with Slam Master:


Jade
Rachael I
Marielle
Special K
Mark
Maggie
Faith
Barbara