Free Events

JMU College of Education presents Teaching the Worlds of Black Poetry to High School Students (In Person)

Wednesday, September 18  |  10am-12pm
Memorial Hall Auditorium

In the urgency of this moment, when texts are being banned and teacher choice is being pruned, The Furious Flower Syllabus Project presents as a valuable tool in any 6-12 teacher’s toolbox to meaningfully engage with the voices of Black poets in their classroom. Panelists will offer educators their experiences teaching from materials, resources, and lessons that have been created for The Furious Flower Syllabus Project across grade levels, states, and content focus.

Panel for Educators: Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Brian Hannon, TJ Hendrix, Dave Wooley, Mary Beth Cancienne (Moderator)
Workshop Leaders for Students: Glenis Redmond, Darrel Alejandro Holnes, Raina J. Léon, DaMaris Hill, Derrick Weston Brown

Abundance I & II: Global Poetry Conversations and Performances (Virtual)

Wednesday, September 18  |  11am-12pm & 1:30-3:30pm
Zoom & Livestreamed on YouTube

Join us virtually Wednesday, September 18 for Abundance: Global Poetry Conversations & Performances, Parts I and II. This virtual panel is a multilingual global Black poetry conversation across continents, generations, diasporas, and borders. This panel is a part of Furious Flower IV: Celebrating the Worlds of Black Poetry and is free and open to the public. Panelists: Pelumi Adejumo (Netherlands), Raymond Antrobus (United Kingdom), b ferguson (The Bahamas), Yaissa Jiménez (Dominica), Arielle John (Trinidad & Tobago), Julianknxx (Sierra Leone/United Kingdom), Ryane Leão (Brazil), Rachel Long (United Kingdom), Kopano Maroga (Belgium), Phodiso Modirwa (Bostwana), Kéchi Nne Nomu (Nigeria), Ben Okri (United Kingdom), Karisma Price (United States), Koleka Putuma (South Africa).
Register for Part I
Register for Part II

2024 Furious Flower Poetry Prize Reading (Hybrid)

Thursday, September 19  |  3:30-4:45pm
Festival Ballroom & Livestreamed on YouTube

The Furious Flower Poetry Center presents the 2024 Furious Flower Poetry Prize Reading featuring winner Michelle Alexander, honorable mention RaeJeana Brooks, and judge Roger Reeves. Join us in Festival Ballroom in Festival Conference & Student Center at James Madison University or virtually on YouTube for this reading that is free and open to the public.

Black Universe I: FFIV Featured Poets Reading (In Person)

Thursday, September 19  |  7-9:30pm
Festival Ballroom

The first Furious Flower IV Featured Poets Reading, Black Universe I is free and open to the public in Festival Ballroom at James Madison University. Featured poets include Rita Dove, Jericho Brown, Camille Dungy, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Malika Booker, Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Tyehimba Jess, Remica Bringham-Risher, Lillian Yvonne Bertram, John Keene, Cornelius Eady, Nikky Finney, and Matthew Shenoda. Hosted by Lauren K. Alleyne.

Magnitude & Bond: A Preview of a Field Study on Black Literary Organizations (Hybrid)

Friday, September 20  |  2-3:15pm
Festival Ballroom, Festival & Livestreamed on YouTube

The panel, “Magnitude & Bond: A Preview of a Field Study on Black Literary Organizations” brings together the directors of four of the Black literary arts service organizations that are part of the case study: Lisa Willis, Candace Wiley, Nichelle Hayes, and Duriel E. Harris with moderator Shelagh Patterson. About the panel: In 2023, Cave Canem, a U.S.-based Black poetry organization, commissioned a field study to understand how Black literary arts service organizations—who provide essential programming, services, and networks of support to the literary community—have modeled resilience in the face of concentric disparities and in the absence of external institutional support and recognition. In partnership with the research firm Ithaka S+R, with support from Wallace Foundation, Magnitude & Bond: A Field Study on Black Literary Arts Service Organizations will highlight the organizational needs, strategies, and models that enable Black literary arts service organizations to thrive in spite of adverse socioeconomic conditions and limitations.

Black Universe II: FFIV Featured Poets Reading (In Person)

Friday, September 20  |  7-9:30pm
Festival Ballroom 

The second Furious Flower IV Featured Poets Reading, Black Universe II is free and open to the public in Festival Ballroom at James Madison University. Featured poets include Ross Gay, Erica Hunt, francine j. harris, Roger Reeves, DaMaris Hill, Efe Paul Azino, Merle Collins, Danez Smith, Tara Betts, A. B. Spellman, Lorna Goodison, E. Ethelbert Miller, and Harryette Mullen. Hosted by Gbenga Adesina.

Black Universe IV: FFIV Featured Poets Reading (Hybrid)

Saturday, September 21 |  3:30-5pm
Festival Ballroom & Livestreamed on YouTube

The fourth and final Furious Flower IV Featured Poets Reading, Black Universe II is free and open to the public in person Festival Ballroom at James Madison University and virtually on YouTube. Featured poets include Terrance Hayes, Evie Shockley, Niyi Osundare, Conisia Lubrin, Patricia Smith, and Kwame Dawes. Hosted by Lauren K. Alleyne