Voices of Freedom. An invent held inside the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts, located in Orlando, Florida. This event sheds light on the art of Poetry, and it’s influence on Black Culture.
Shawn Welcomes is a well accredited Poet and Public speaker in Orlando, FL. Welcome has played an important role in the elevation of the poetry scene in Orlando. He’s written commercials for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, performed alongside the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and has done a numerous amount a charity work within the community.
Welcomes served as the featured poet and Co-Host of Voices of Freedom. During the week of the event Welcome taught Poetry workshops to high school students in the Greater Orlando area. Students like Therese Grant , chose to participate in these workshops and were grateful for the knowledge gained during their time with Mr. Welcome. “Shawn made us write down what others have said about us”, as Grant described her most memorable moment of the week. “I realized a lot of people have been really mean to me but then I realized people have said some really nice things to me”
Grant and 5 other students from different High School’s participated in the event Friday night event by using the tools they learned during the week, and showcasing it in the form of their own original poem’s.
The snaps ceased to stop throughout the night, congratulating students and guest poets, for the remarkable art that was being displayed. Arguably one of the poetic piece that received the longest applause was Welcomes. His poem titled ‘ Major Key‘ spoke to the story of Darryl Davis. Davis was a piano player for the legendary Rock and Roll Legend Chuck Berry. While in Berry’s band, Davis experienced the power of music first hand as he watched color barriers be broken. Seeing this inspired him to change peoples hearts and led to him to change the hearts of 200 former Klans Man.
When asked why he chose to recite ‘Major Key’, Welcomes suggested that the poem was what was needed in that moment “ I feel like Major Key spoke to the spirit of what tonight was about”.
The spirit that was present that night, Welcomes was referring was the spirit of poetry. Understanding, unique and filled with love, this spirit is not only the epitome of poetry ,but Black Culture.
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