Poets and other creative writers from the northeastern United States share poems and conversation about the shifting relationship between identity and place. How can poets and other culture creators challenge or shift the identity of a place? How can a place challenge or shift our own intersecting identities?
Ideas talks are going on all Festival long! Read our advice on how to get the most from these explorative conversations >
Keona-Marie Gomes is a New Haven Native and proud artist, dedicated to playwriting, animation and motivation of youth in the community. As a sophomore and theatre major in Cooperative Arts and Humanities high school, she hopes to study acting or psychology in the future.
Duke Porter (Duke) is best described as an “artivist”. He is an award winning poet, the Program Manager for the Pride Center of Maryland . And the Coordinator of Eastern Regional Projects and Affairs for Black Men’s Xchange, Duke is responsible for leading trainings, workshops, and organizing cultural events that promote the excellence and wellness of Black people across the gender and sexuality spectrum. His passion for building and uniting Black people has allowed him to be a voice for his community nationally.
'Yex' Diaz, Chicago born & New Haven raised, is a Community Advocate and Poet/MC. Versed in issues that plague impoverished, inner city communities, Yex utilizes her voice as a tool to bridge gaps and build ties in Elm City. As an educator, Yex teaches environmental creative writing to New Haven youth. This Floetress has used a plethora of mediums to express self as a creative. From dance to theater to her passion for Poetry. A divine femi9wordsmith with the capacity to marry thoughts & speech in an unequivocally vivid and enlightening fashion, her mighty pen & tongue brings awareness to social & cultural atrocities. Her work has been featured on platforms such as Existence Is Residence Radio Show & Moving Target Podcast. This Goddess is a soulful delight!
Paul Bryant Hudson is a New Haven based singer-songwriter. Grounded in cultural truth and identity, Paul actively channels energies from periods of BLACK cultural and creative enlightenment, fusing them with contemporary hip hop and soul components. These cultural values are prominent in his references and tributes to African American music, art, literature, and folklore.
