Fortune Society’s ‘Poetry Slam’

On a recent Thursday evening in Long Island City, The Fortune Society was packed to the rafters with social justice advocates and members of New York’s reentry community who came together to celebrate the spoken word with a marathon reading of powerful, soulful and uplifting original poetry.

Presented by Fortune, Poetry Slam – an evening of community building and story-telling - brought together poets who participate in creative writing courses and other programs at Fortune and sister agencies across the city. The poems explore the real-life experiences, hopes, dreams, highs and lows of people who have criminal justice involvement and who are building new lives in the community. The Fortune Society is one of the nation’s most respected nonprofit organizations serving and advocating for people with criminal justice involvement.

The 36 poets hailed from reentry and social service organizations including Fortune, OPEN DOORS, Friends of Island Academy, LiveWrite, The Kite, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, CASES, The Bronx Freedom Fund, Free Verse, The Artist Collective, The Center for Community Alternatives, and JustLeadershipUSA.

Among the participating poets were Fortune’s Curintina Mulrain and Ireal K. Jacobs.

A poet and advocate for social change, Mulrain described the challenges of reentry in a poem titled, “We the People.” She wrote, in part:

We were at a disadvantage from the start

But we got heart

And we stretch our arms

and pull up

no matter how high you set the bar

We are unashamed and unapologetic

We are who we are

We are not defined by the worst thing we've ever done

In “I’m Waiting. Who’s Gonna Answer,” poet and newly ordained church deacon Jacobs, also addressed the challenges of coming home:

I'm waiting on the mirror to tell me my flaws

I'm waiting on the door to say this is not the life for you no more

I'm looking through the window

just to hear the whispering of the wind saying you don't belong …

I'm waiting on the curtains to close

but something is telling me no matter what this life holds there’s still a opening

I'm waiting on the miracles of God but he's taking me through these obstacles so i can transform my mind

Jamie Malezska, Fortune’s creative writing teacher and the organizer of Poetry Slam, said, “This poetry reading was an extraordinary outpouring of love, joy, and strength. Poets from across the city stood shoulder-to-shoulder and poured their energies into each other – to heal, to fortify, and recharge. Together they created a true unbreakable community.”

Poetry Slam is one element of Fortune’s robust Creative Arts program which supports the educational, emotional, and cultural development of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system through creative writing, poetry, spoken word, video production, animation, visual arts, music, and theater. Every Spring, Fortune celebrates the creative talents of its participants with the annual Creative Arts Festival. And, twice a month, Fortune hosts a lunch-hour Music Café featuring amazing musical performances by Fortune staff and clients.

Photo Caption 1: Moses Santana with Messiah from Friends of Island Academy

Photo Caption 2: Dawn Busanet and Crystal Williams

Photo Caption 3: Joel Ocasio from The Kite

Photo Caption 4: Ogemdi Ude, Public Works Community Coordinator and Rosa Downing

Photo Caption 5: Mic Ruiz

Photo Caption 6: Community members and poets from The Kite and Mercedez Geroge