By Lauren Walker
Staff Writer
Natalie Patterson, an internationally-renowned poet and educator who served as the first female producer and host of the nation’s largest weekly poetry venue, will host “Queens of Poetry,” the closing ceremonies of Black History Month at California State University, Dominguez Hills, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Loker Student Union Ballroom C.
Patterson has traveled to different countries to teach and perform spoken word. Her topics range from inspiration to social justice.
She is the president of Sister Support, a non-profit organization that, according to its mission statement, “seeks to empower women, female entrepreneurs, and artists to realize their greatest potential.”
California State University, Dominguez Hills hosted an array of events for Black History Month to show appreciation and celebrate the Black and African-American community.
However, this is the first spoken word event that showcases only African-American poets and performers. Making it the closing ceremony, organizers of the events say, it is an attempt to bring awareness to perspectives of black women.
“Often times they are marginalized, alienated and neglected by our society,” said Jonathan Henderson, project coordinator at The Rose Black Resource Center.
Formally launched in the spring of 2017, the Black Rose Resource Center is a safe space for Black and African-Americans students on campus. It allows them to meet socially as well as navigate the academic process and find resources they need to succeed.
The center is nicknamed “The Rose,” as an homage to Tupac Shakur’s poem “The Rose That Grew From Concrete.”
“I believe that poetry and creative expression, in general, are nourishment for the soul,” said Henderson. “It is one thing to hear a lecture or see a film. It is a completely different thing to hear and identify with someone’s words and passions expressed in a creative way.”
Some poets are students of CSUDH and others are from the local community. Each went through a screening process in which they read their poems to the Talk To Me Sis Committee members and then were chose to perform.
“I am really excited to be a part of this event, there are not many events for the Black and African-American community,” said TiYuana Morehead, student assistant for the Rose Black Resource Center. “I want to make sure Black women are acknowledged for Black History Month.”
The free event is open to the students and the community. The ceremony can also be a way to network and talk with other students and community members on campus to share experiences. Attendees do not need to RSVP.
“The event will give Black women the ability to creatively express their vulnerability to the world,” Morehead said.