Goethe's oft-quoted phrase, "Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it;" inspires this celebration of poetry and community. Dr. Natalie J. Graham's debut poetry collection, Begin with a Failed Body was published by University of Georgia Press as the winner of the Cave Canem Poetry Prize, September 15, 2017. In this collection, described by Julia Bouwsma as "truly seeing the body for what it is, including all of the hurt that it carries," Graham handles the hard work of beginning from a broken place. To celebrate the anniversary of the publication and the many voices who respond to and champion the arts, Graham, in partnership with KayJo Creatives, present Begin It: Poetry Brunch. The brunch is the first of a series of events by KayJo Creatives to sustain and support community and amplify voices from the Inland Empire.
The celebration will begin with a southern-inspired soul food brunch, raffle, and poetry readings by Cynthia A. Briano, Nikia Chaney, Dr. Ashaki M. Jackson, Marcus Omari, Isabel Quintero, and Dr. Chad Sweeney. Attendees will also have an opportunity to create their own poems with Dr. Natalie J. Graham, share their work, and receive feedback.
Half of the event's proceeds will support the creation of the Jo Woods Memorial Poetry Prize for high school students from San Bernardino who are aspiring writers.