“Step Up to the Mic Poetry Slam” will allow students to hear creative spoken poetry about social action on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in Bowman Hall Room 133.

Kent State’s chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will host the spoken word competition and has worked closely with Poetree to co-host at the event.

There will be spoken word performances, a musical intermission and time to learn more information about the two different organizations at the event.

“The purpose of it was to really, with everything that is happening in the black community, push this generation to do their research on black history, to really see what it was and then be able to share that with everyone else on the campus,” said Dominique Todd, vice president of the Delta Sigma Theta chapter and senior fashion merchandising and public relations double major.

There is a charitable cause behind the event as well, providing the audience an opportunity to give back to the community. 

Canned good donations will be collected and given to SPAN Ministries in Tallmadge, Ohio, Todd said. They will then distribute them to families in the community. Donators can also enjoy reduced admission from $3 to $1.

“I’m just really excited to hear how everyone is taking different parts of history and really making it into something relevant to them… to see how everyone has taken those topics and interpreted something creative,” Todd said. “To hear what those parts of history mean to them as a person.”

Contact Dara Sander at [email protected].