Red Emma’s

Let's come together in a poetry/spoken word open mic of justice, conscious thought, spirituality, fam, real life—whatever advances the village!  In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s Mother Earth magazine, come drop some progressive 'fiyah' on us, or contribute just with your presence and energy! By the way: it’s a non-erotic poetry, non-'love jones' type of venue, so we ask that you not go there.  (And, almost needless to say, leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside!)

Leading us into our 11th year is our featured poet, C. Alexandria-Bernard Thomas! C. is a Black, Non-Binary award-winning poet, teaching artist, and advocate for child abuse prevention, the LGBTQIA community, and mental health awareness. Named a pioneer of poetry by the National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Award (NUSPA) in 2015, C. has the dynamic skill set of a performer AND host. They have mesmerized audiences at Angelina College, Howard University, Prince George’s Community College, Thomas Jefferson University, Busboys and Poets (as a featured poet and host), Studio 2001 Art Gallery, The Athenaeum, and the Torpedo Art Factory, just to name a few.

C. have partnered with the Northern Virginia Association of Fine Arts (NVAFA) and the Carlyle House Historic Park producing annual events highlighting African American excellence. With the Creative Suitland Arts Center and Heard, they lead their popular discussion-based writers’ workshop, Writing to Wellness™, that uses poetry as a tool for healing when navigating childhood trauma. Their work as a community organizer has afforded them opportunities to educate adults on how to respond and react to child sexual abuse through Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children®, and through becoming a board member for Touch Me I’m Tellin (TMIT). In addition, they have received honorable mentions from World Childhood Foundation USA, Buddy Speaks, End the Harvest Ministries, publications by The Zebra, and more.

C. is a true force of nature and a necessary voice for uplifting the community and inspiring hope. Witnessing them perform, teach in the classroom, or speak is experiencing love in action! https://www.iamcthomas.net/

Holdin’ it down for the evening is Analysis—poet/spoken word artist, author, rad minister and bookseller, educator, justice & human rights person… Y’all know what’s up!  www.facebook.com/analysisthepoet  Twitter and Instagram: @analysisthepoet CashApp: $AnalysisThePoet

The mic list will be ready for you at Emma’s so you can get on the mic and share something with us! Additionally, we’ll pass the bucket—physically and electronically—to give something to our featured poets and to help build for the future. Please help support artists!

The evening is, indeed, brought to you by Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, a worker-owned and collectively operated restaurant, bookstore, and community events space in the Waverly neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland that is dedicated to putting principles of solidarity and sustainability into practice in a democratic workplace!  http://redemmas.org  https://www.facebook.com/redemmas Twitter & Instagram: @redemmas