Poet\, writer\, teacher\, and political activis t Amiri Baraka was born Everett LeRoi Jones in 1934 in Ne wark\, New Jersey. He attended Rutgers University and Howard University\, spent three years in the U.S. Air Force\, and returned to New York City to attend Columbia University and the New School for Social Research. Baraka was well known for his strident social criticism\, often writing in an in cendiary style that made it difficult for some audiences and critics to re spond with objectivity to his works. Throughout most of his career\, his m ethod in poetry\, drama\, fiction\, and essays was confrontational\, calcu lated to shock and awaken audiences to the political concerns of black Ame ricans. For decades\, \;Baraka was one of the most prominent voices in the world of American literature.
\n\n< strong>Kenneth Carroll \;is a native Washingtonian\, writer\, and youth development specialist. His writings have appeared in numerous literary journals\, national magazines\, and newspapers. He was a 2021 nom inee for the Pushcart Poetry Prize and the 2021 Blood Orange Review winner in fiction. He received the White House Humanities Award for his youth li teracy work while director of DC WritersCorps. He is the former director o f the African American Writers Guild and has performed at the Kennedy Cent er\, Nuyorican Café\;\, Library of Congress\, universities\, and cul tural institutions around the country. His book of poetry is entitled \;So What: For The White Dude Who Said This Ain&rsquo\;t Poetry.&rdquo\;\n
Thomas J. Porter\,&nb sp\;a seasoned leader and visionary in the realms of entertainment\, broad casting\, and public service\, has built a distinguished career marked by a commitment to community engagement and cultural enrichment. Currently se rving as the President of SonBoy Entertainment and SonBoy Records since 19 95\, Thomas has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the arts. His lea dership has been instrumental in fostering a platform that supports and pr omotes diverse talents within the entertainment industry. \;
\nBefore venturing into the entertainment sector \, Thomas held the position of Executive Director at the National Jazz Ser vice Organization from 1993 to 1995. During this time\, he played a pivota l role in advancing the appreciation and understanding of jazz\, contribut ing to the cultural tapestry of the nation. Prior to his work in jazz\, Th omas served as the Executive Director of the National Association of Black s in Public Broadcasting from 1991 to 1993. His advocacy for equitable rep resentation in media showcased his commitment to amplifying Black voices w ithin the public broadcasting landscape.
\nIn the early 1990s\, Thomas took on the responsibilities of General Ma nager and Program Director at WPFW Pacifica Radio\, leaving an indelible m ark on the station's programming and community engagement efforts. Thomas' s foray into politics saw him as the Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Hou se of Representatives in the 2nd District of Ohio in 1984\, showcasing his dedication to public service.
\nHis jo urney in leadership began earlier in his career as the Executive Director of the Martin Luther King\, Jr. Center for Social Change in Atlanta\, GA\, from 1972 to 1973. During this period\, Thomas actively contributed to th e center's mission of fostering social change and advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King\, Jr. Throughout his multifaceted career\, Thomas J . Porter has consistently demonstrated a passion for the arts\, a commitme nt to community development\, and a dedication to promoting diverse voices in various spheres of influence.
\n\n\nRememberin g the Black Arts Movement is a multi-day symposium that presents panels\, readings\, and discussions centered on the writers\, wor k\, and impact of the Black Arts Movement. This movement\, named for a gro up of motivated Black poets\, artists\, dramatists\, musicians\, and write rs\, emerged in the wake of significant civil rights activism and legislat ion. The event will shine a spotlight on the work and impact of notable wr iters from the movement\, including Nikki Giovanni\, Amiri Baraka\, Ntozak e Shange\, Gil Scott-Heron\, Sonia Sanchez\, and Audre Lorde. Each day is designed to provide community members with the opportunity to meet each ot her\, learn about the profound influence of the Black Arts Movement\, and connect with local artists\, scholars\, and historians based in the DMV.
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