Students get the chance to perform their own pieces of poetry

Diversity Peer Educators and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated collaborated on their first Poetry Night at 6 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the Southeast Alumni Center. It was free to all students who reserved beforehand.

"We wanted to bring something new to the campus and give the students an open platform to express themselves while providing the campus with entertainment and I believe we accomplished just that," Diversity Peer Educators president Donald Coleman said.

The students each performed three of their original pieces.

The inspiration of the poetry night occurred during the summer's resident assistant training. To expose and open the discussion of different diversity issues that the students may come across, Southeast Residence Life showed poetry from "Brave New Voices." After seeing the reaction of the audience and a few of the pieces touching Coleman personally, he began researching and watching poetry performances from the Passion 4 Christ Movement and Def Poetry on Youtube.

"I felt nervous but at the same time I was comfortable because I shared my experiences with people that may have went through the same things and can relate," poet and graduate student Danielle Pettigrew said. "There was a really good vibe and atmosphere to perform in. We as poets felt safe to be transparent and show ourselves."

The inspiration of the poetry night occurred during the summer's resident assistant training. To expose and open the discussion of different diversity issues that the students may come across, Southeast Residence Life showed poetry from "Brave New Voices." After seeing the reaction of the audience and a few of the pieces touching Coleman personally, he began researching and watching poetry from the Passion 4 Christ Movement and Def Poetry.

Regardless of the turnout, Coleman said that the Poetry Night would have always been an annual event.

"We had a turnout of about 125 students which just confirmed that this event must be annual," Coleman said.

"Poetry is a way of release and students now have this platform to do just that, release," Southeast senior Siera Tellis said. "I admire everyone who got up there tonight to share their poetry. It's a challenge to let strangers into your heart. Great job."

The night produced performances by 10 Southeast students. These poets included Adam Hopkins, Danielle Pettigrew, Almasi (Jasmine Brown), Jeffery Giles, Rakeda Akasha, Stephanie Lott, Nina Mackenzie (Halston Hutchison), William Brown, JaMesha Hamp and Katherine Dumbell. There was also Chartwells catered deserts served at the event.

"I really liked the event," Southeast junior Stephanie White said. "I feel it was a very culturally diverse event and I enjoyed every moment of it. I'm excited that it is an annual event because it gives poets something to look forward to."