J. Joy Matthews Alford - Sistah Joy, click
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Introducing Collective Voices 5/9/2011 5:48:10 AM
I am pleased to respond to requests for more information about Collective Voices, the poetry ensemble I founded 16 years ago. We are available to share poetry at your event or venue. Thank you for the requests! Collective Voices, the Prince George's County-based ensemble of poets known for its messages of inspiration and social consciousness, has performed locally and abroad for over 15 years. Founded in 1995, the group's members include Ladi Di, Brenardo and Sistah Joy. In addition to performing their original poetry, the group presents poetry workshops and coordinates arts-oriented activities throughout the Washington Metropolitan region.
Collective Voices has published 2 chapbooks and its members, individually, have published five books of poetry. The group and individual members of the group have received numerous awards and recognitions for artistic excellence, community service and literary activism. They have performed for churches, schools, galleries and women's shelters and women's and youth support organizations and have performed at regional, national and international conferences and conventions. The group has appeared on radio and television talk shows, with the group's founder, Sistah Joy, co-producing and hosting, for the past five years, the award-winning poetry-based cable television program, Sojourn with Words, which debuted at the Oxon Hill Library's Sojourner Truth Lecture Hall.
Also of particular note, Collective Voices has for the past 15 years, partnered with area organizations, socially-conscious businesses and artists to present its annual Poetry Extravaganza, a free literary tribute honoring the life and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event, which has frequently featured Washington, DC Poet Laureate, Dolores Kendrick, has been recognized by mayoral proclamation and citations for its literary excellence on numerous occasions. Hundreds attend the event each year at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington, DC.
In 2011, for the first time since its inception 15 years ago, this tribute was "expanded" and presented as "Honoring A King," a full stage production in Prince George's County at The Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, MD in celebration of National Poetry Month and in commemoration of the assassination of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At this writing, a limited quantity of commemorative programs are available upon request.
Interested persons and organizations may contact Collective Voices online at Poetsistahjoy.aol.com or by writing to P. O. Box 2073, Clinton, MD 20735 to inquire about upcoming readings and performances, the availability of their publications or their booking rates.
