QLPOR Presents "Collective Voices" Now and Then - 25 Years Since London

03/05/23 • 113 min

Quintessential Poetry: Online Radio, YouTube and Zoom

The Washington, DC-based ensemble of poets known for its messages of inspiration, empowerment, and social consciousness has performed locally and abroad. Collective Voices' international debut was in London, England, in 1998. Founded in 1995, the group’s current members include Sylvia Dianne "Ladi Di" Beverly, Andre "Brenardo" Taylor, and the group’s founder, J. Joy "Sistah Joy" Matthews Alford, who was appointed as Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, MD, in 2018. In addition to performing their original poetry, the group presents poetry workshops and coordinates arts-oriented activities throughout the Washington Metropolitan region. Of note, the group presented an annual arts-based tribute, Poetry Extravaganza, for 20 years, honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event was presented annually at the downtown Washington, DC-based Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, which was attended by hundreds each year. Collective Voices has self-published 2 chapbooks, Poetry and Prose For A New Millennium (2000) and Experience, Expression, Expansion (1996), and its members have published 6 individual books of poetry. Collective Voices' poetry has also appeared in numerous anthologies. The group and individual members of the group have received numerous awards and recognitions for artistic excellence, community service, and literary activism, including the 2002 Poet Laureate Special Award from the DCCAH for "outstanding contributions to the art of poetry in Washington, DC." With its debut performance at a women's shelter, Collective Voices has continued its socially-relevant presentations at numerous churches, schools, galleries, youth and senior support facilities and organizations, and at various regional, national, and international conferences and conventions. To Book, contact Sistah Joy at P. O. Box 2073, Clinton, MD 20735, or [email protected].

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Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio Presents Lydia Brown

Lydia Brown was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. When she was younger, she dreamed of becoming a singer. She grew up with humble beginnings on the southside with her mom and dad. Tragically, at the age of eleven, her father died of leukemia. Her mother was left alone to care for her. They had their ups and downs and struggles, but they loved each other. As a teenager, she reached a point where she wanted to explore her surroundings and get away from the stresses of life. She ran away from home as a coping mechanism to deal with these issues. She found herself downtown, on the streets of Chicago. Over time, she began to like the area and slowly felt comfortable; this is where she indeed grew up a second time and learned to love herself. She panhandled to survive and met people from all walks of life. They looked out for her and tried to get her off the streets by providing a hotel room to sleep in, where she could be safe. She met many people that cared and truly wanted the best for her; her dreams were encouraged. Those people still have a special place in her heart, and she will always have fond memories of them for being there when she needed help. She started writing at the age of 26. At first, she wrote for fun but soon discovered writing was therapeutic and provided an escape, carrying her away from everyday worries. She began to take writing more seriously, so she wrote more and saved her work. https://awritersmind21.wixsite.com/my-site https://www.instagram.com/authorlydiabrown/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087518989529

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Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio Presents Alexandra Psaropoulou

Alexandra was born in the year of the horse of fire, in Greece, where she spent many years living in the wild mountains of the island of Hydra. Later, she attended St. Mary's in Wiltshire and studied European Thought & Literature at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge. She lived in Paris and New York, before returning to Greece to settle. Her father was a renowned poet and author and had a successful publishing company in Greece. Her mother was a ballet dancer as well as president of the Dance Union in Greece. Her family social circles, ever since a little girl, were rich with artists, writers, and academics. She lives with her husband, a classical guitar soloist and four children near the Temple of Poseidon, Sounio, by the sea and publishes her own visual poems on Amazon. Each of Alexandra's books is a symphony composed of a long poem accompanied by her graphic illustrations that convey “The Flying”. alexandrabooks.info