Our Voice: My Life, My Poetry

Our Voice: My Life, My Poetry

A collection of photography & poetry by the youth of URGENT, Inc.

Our Voice: My Life, My Poetry A collection of photography & poetry by the youth of URGENT, Inc.

URGENT, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) Miami, FL based youth and community development organization dedicated to empowering young minds to transform their communities. Guided by the principles of innovation, growth and transformation URGENT sees young people as the drivers of change and works to provide empowering opportunities to create the next generation of social change agents.

Rights of Passage Program (ROP) Youth Media Project:

Rites of Passage Youth Media Project is a transmedia edutainment (education + entertainment) arts enrichment program that teaches inspires you to critically examine, research, and reflect on issues that affect their lives and communities using video, photography, poetry and performance. This exploration helps youth gain access to the power of their voice as well as a sense of personal investment in their community. The participatory asset based approach emphasizes utilizes cultural assets, leadership development, academic achievement and social connectivity to help youth avoid risky behaviors and develop pro-social identities through the exhibition performance and presentation of their cause specific artistic works.

Special Thanks: Passion Ward Sekajipo ForThePeople Editors: Angene Bien-Aime Monica Bissainthe Marcus Williams Photographers: Rites of Passage Youth Media Interns

Poets: Emely Batista Angene Bien-Aime Monica Bissainthe Eveul Exil Delesha Graham Geraldine Lawton Edeline Mezinord Norzilia Mezinord Marcus Williams Rites of Passage Media Project is funded by: The Children’s Trust & Miami Dade County

URGENT, Inc.

Rites of Passage Ambassadors Upper left: Marcus Williams Upper right: Erika Del Villar Bottom left: Monica Bissainthe & Angene Bien-Aime

Angene Bien-Aime Behind the black skin and the big brown eyes I see a female who is bound for greatness I see a female who is determined about what she wants to be Passionate about her craft Motivated by the fact her being a woman and Black puts alot on her She a poet who spit words like fire That touch skin it's a fourth degree burn She got heart, too much not to share She’s got that drive with no license I see this female going places I see this female changing the world and showing everyone both those who listen and don’t that she has what it takes I see this female as... as the star that she is Behind that smile Behind those brown eyes Behind that skin She’s a Leader She’s a entrepreneur She’s a innovator She’s a boss She is talented She has potential And most importantly she is Black and going places

Edeline Mezinord

Raised in Little Haiti so, in I'll create change in my passing eyes it wasn't the ghetto for the ideal best. next generation.

With how my mother raised To see them prosper and her kids, acknowledge that their I always thought we were not stamped with a blessed. number.

I didn't have any role I see myself guiding models but my mom was them away from always there. statistics and on the With watching her high road that they were struggle for me, destined for.

I eventually I'll break the chains to became aware. create change.

I'll go from a young girl Then allow them to do with a vision to a woman the same. with closed dreams.

Then I'll shout to all the young kids that their future does not derive from where they live.

Geraldine Lawton Far beyond the horizon I see a beautiful young lady sitting at her computer Through the window Her lip twitches as she tries to find another solution to global issues She had the dream of doing this for so long that nothing will stop her from finding a solution.

I am that beautiful young lady far beyond the horizon.

Monica Bissainthe

The curly hair, the almond eyes The sweet smile, the heart that flies The words she speaks, the people she inspires You would think she’s happy but negativity is what perspires Fake interest, false hope in her head she feels like a joke Misguided and misled Laces tied so she’s always unmoving staying in the same place filled with dread Let’s have a chat my voice to your ears She has to be strong, you won'’t see her shed a tear Constant reminders of positivity She knows in the future she will truly be free Is that how you see her?

That’s how I see me The beautiful woman she has come to be.

Eveul Exil

My words has spoken The chain of destruction broken My brain is frozen from ice breakers But I let it contract heat with my fire breathing lyrics curing sick spirits bring them to paradise My words have spoken Demon voices are choking The chain of unspeakable voices broken Freedom of Speech Free to speak my mind emerged from the blinds and poetry is what I find

The Future I see myself on the bright side

Delesha Graham

My knowledge is quite a mile If I met my 6 year old self today What I would say or do?

Would I warn her about the future? bad and good things yet to come You're the gravity that holds me down in every way, you're the oxygen that keeps me bright, seeing my self as a pediatrician I know I can succeed toward the mission, Seeing myself with my own office Wow what a challenge ahead, The future is near to come.

Marcus Williams Music Jamming and Hearts pumping Mis-spoken souls delivered from A soft spoken mind t humping Day to Day Night by Night There’s a hustle and flow to my world You gotta give money to receive money Sharing is caring but the caring is preparing For a world of hating Hate Hate Hate

You see I’m colorful and happy TOOOOO HAPPY Too happy that it can be horrible To the world of unhappiness A world of changing A world of peace A world of love A world where everyone is themselves.

Emely Batista I see myself in the future graduating college and becoming a nurse and helping sick babies.

I want to be remembered as Emely the little girl who is always smiling & laughing & always trying her hardest to do what’s best for her.

Takira Wallace

Diary of a broken heart See this is a diary of a broken heart See, mines is all fine but yours?

It’s all broken apart I love to see her smile like a valuable piece of art Outside she was beautiful but inside she was broken She had a boyfriend and she showed him her emotions But that n-- did her wrong and left all of her scars open Now every single night she leaves her pillow case soaking See, she was the type to love everybody but herself Now he’s the reason why she would go and cut herself One day I walked over, I tapped her on the shoulder & I told that girl to smile cause the hurt is all over but she turned around and I couldn’t believe it bruh, the bruises on her face told me her boyfriend was abusing her

Erika Del Villar

I was sitting down last night Thinking about things that are right A thought came to my head I have a feeling it would be great I have this question in my head Who I want to be?

What I want to be?

Will I fail or succeed?

I want to be remembered as someone Who gave everything for something A curious child with a great mind Ha Ha Ha! How I see myself in 5 years Well sit and listen

I don’t know who I’ll be I don’t even know if I’ll be alive However what I want to be in 5 years is a college graduate working toward her goals Simply making things great Dropping bars from right to left Living without stress Feeling blessed Happiness in my chest A smile in my face Well, I was thinking to myself I want to be great at whatever I do I know I’ll make it cause I was destined To be great I was destined to Win

How you see your future poem If I could go back and meet my kid self today There’s a lot of things I will tell her and say I would tell her about the bad things that can always come to life and stop being so naive To have fun while also being successful The place you are now is where you envisioned you’ll be and stop thinking about what if, but and maybe.

You’ll make the world’s best surgeon and help everyone around you.

You can greet each day like it’s new and do the best you can do.

Even if you fail, you never give up, you’ll just dust yourself up and try again.

There will be bad days you’ll be exposed to change but don’t let it discourage your game plan.

There is not doubt that you’ll rise and be the best at you do and who you are now.

Because you been through the struggle known as the battleground because you are incredible.

Norzilia Mezinord

URGENT, Inc. Rites of Passage Interns

Dedication and Appreciation

Upper Left : Loren Daniel Upper Right : Shedia Nelson Lower Left: Tami Wynn

Streets filled with memories Pictures fill the walls Walks through Wynwood with passion Photos say it all Rhythm and beats make music Sekajipo is the GOAT He taught us to write poetry, making sure we hit every note Let’s have a little chat, my voice to your ears Sound waves over the radio Jill Tracey will make sure my message is clear The summer just begun, the youth conference is next, college see you soon my best friend, FIU I’ll send you a text.

- Monica Bissainthe

Rites of Passage Youth Media Project Interns

Summer 2017