Hosted by Womxn of the World Poetry Slam

Free

This two hour reception will feature a DJ, complimentary dessert bar by Ms. K’s Sweet Spot, and beverages by Creative Mindz Cafe.

Please join us for an evening of networking, meet the festival staff, and have fun kicking off the start of the 2023 Womxn of the World Poetry Slam festival with features from the phenomenal Ashlee C and Porsha O!

Check out full festival schedule HERE!

Porsha Olayiwola is a native of Chicago who writes, lives and loves in Boston. Olayiwola is a writer, performer, educator and curator who uses afro-futurism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the Black, woman, and queer diasporas. She is an Individual World Poetry Slam Champion and the founder of the Roxbury Poetry Festival.

She is a 2020 poet laureate fellow with the Academy of American poets. Olayiwola is the current poet laureate for the city of Boston.

Ashlee C writes because she knows what it’s like to be broken, she speaks because she knows what it’s like to be silenced, she shares because she knows her gift is meant to be shared. In a sea of T-Shirt and jeans, this fashion forward poet stands out…Though at first glance one would assume Ashlee is about to walk the runway, when she walks to the mic the crowd is in for a treat. Stitching stanzas, weaving wordplay, and hemming rough topics in her poetry, she delivers a one of a kind brand.

Her style is unique, raw, yet uplifting to the spirit. Writing since the age of 8, proved to be a safe place.