ATLANTIC CITY — I think Marte King is right on track emphasizing proactive, prosocial and pro-social change in our community.
The author was able to obtain such sponsors as B&B Soul Seafood, Mikal’s Funeral Parlor, Black Star Solar and Atlantic Cape Community College for an open mike night recently in the community room at Stanley Holmes Village, in Atlantic City, where he proudly hosted from a throne-like chair.
Though the night was filled with spoken-word talent of all genres, children and young adults also spoke passionately about being bullied and the challenges of growing up in a society that glorifies violence but complains about the proliferation of violence and guns in our neighborhoods.
The DJ was a no-show and the microphone stopped working, but we went on with the spontaneity of a family talent show.
Cierra Farquharson, Miss Pleasantville 2012, graced the stage with her beauty and eloquent poetry as usual.
A.C.’s Poet Laureate, Brother Mahdi Salaam, slammed some of his powerful verses about knowing oneself and one’s history.
There were humorous stories and inspirational words from a number of people, including Judge Billie Moore, who spoke to us about the many cases of domestic violence that she sees in her courtroom.
She advocates for family counseling and does not like to send people to jail unless absolutely necessary.
The Peace Keepers were out in full force and a small but intense audience of performers and spectators listened while PK leaders implored community members to join them for just one hour per week on Saturdays talking to youth around the city.
This year marks the 17th year of the Academy of American Poets’ launching of April as National Poetry Month.
The South Jersey Poets Collective has hosted its monthly World Above Poetry Night series at Dante Hall since September, and intends to continue the original poetry readings through 2013.
I couldn’t believe how nervous I was as I approached the mike to make Foxx an honorary member of the Other Atlantic City.
Wash's hosts 'Rewind - Live Radio Show,' bringing back sounds of Motown with several local talented performers.
Last fall, Sisters Together Against Racism (STAR) invited a speaker to inform us about human trafficking in our area and to see if there was anything that we could do to help stop the spread of this fast-growing criminal enterprise which is so prevalent in our society today. We recently found out that we could help by posting important numbers in the bath stalls of women’s restrooms, numbers alerting authorities and numbers that can be called anonymously. We were shocked to find out the large numbers of victims in our area. New Jersey’s close proximity to New York City , its many farms and its long coastline make it a good place for people to exploit immigrants and farm workers, many of whom are children. Our many recreational and resort areas with massage parlors, spas and other types of “pampering” facilities also exploit people who may not have proper working papers for legal employment. Most STAR members didn’t know that trafficking had to include force, fraud or coercion. Often girls and women are kidnapped or tricked and their passports or other identifying documents are taken away from them. They may have thought that they would have legitimate employment...
George Jackson opened the Steel Pier in 1898, less than 50 years after Atlantic City’s incorporation. He was followed by owner Frank P. Gravatt, a showman who realized the public’s appetite for an eclectic mix of entertainment in one location at one price, 25 cents.
This year’s Multi-Cultural Heritage Festival weekend gave us an early start to what Mayor Langford anticipates as a great summer season.
Well, MJ is gone and Diana can’t make it to Atlantic-Cape Community College, but there will be some phenomenal local talent performing on June 8 and 9 at the Mays Landing campus in the Walter E. Edge Hall.
Generally, shoppers said they were satisfied, but in a way that reminded me of Santorum’s endorsement of Romney: Could be better yet definitely better than no supermarket at all.
"It was like I had missed some stages of normal development, you know. I had never lived a legit life."
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1. marte' king said... on Jul 27, 2012 at 06:36AM
“The event was from 6-9 but we didn't get done until 10:30, and that was without a DJ or mic! Imagine what it will be like Sept 1st... We got DJ's, photographers, videographers and a slew of talent coming in from Maryland, Philly, Central Jersey, and South Jersey. Its going down in da Hood! ALL I NEED IS ONE MIC!!!!!”
2. Hassan said... on Jul 31, 2012 at 02:21PM
“I have much respect for Marte. Why??? Because of his drive and determination to free himself from the cycle of incarceration and recidivism that affects far too many of our men, with young Black men representing a highly disproportionate percentage of inmates nationwide. The thing is, if you ever spend a minute with him (or others, or read the paper, see statistics, etc.) you will know the challenges he faces in turning his life around for the better are daunting.
As for the event itself, I enjoyed myself very much. Not only because of the fantastic talent from our “youngins” and a few old heads like Mahdi, my wife and I, but the pleasure of socializing with the members of our community. I’m looking forward to the next one on Sept. 1, 2012. I have not mentioned to Marte yet, instead of running home get my small guitar amp and a mic due to the no-show DJ, I plan to offer a larger, more audible sound system since he said “all I need is a mic.”
Keep up the good work Marte.
”