“Leave with a piece of each other”: 2022 Horizons Showcase Back In-Person

The 2022 Horizons Creative Writing Showcase welcomed participants and grassroots leaders to the attend at the American Writers’ Museum. It was the first in-person event since the onset of the COVID–19 pandemic. The showcase was held on June 29, 2022 and featured original poetry performed by Horizons program participants. This marks the third time that the museum has graciously hosted the showcase.

The outreach assistant Myron Byrd emceed the event with an inviting and charming air. He welcomed President of the American Writers Museum Carey Cranston, CCH Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg, CCH Director of Organizing Wayne Richard and Alder University’s Dr. Jennifer La Civita to speak.

Finding a Creative Voice

Carey was among the first speakers of the night. He said that Horizons is a wonderful program and the American Writers Museum was proud to host the event. The program’s mission is to inspire the next generation of writers by giving people experiencing homelessness an opportunity to share their voices.

Wayne shared Horizons’ mission statement, to help participants find their creative voice through poetry, expressive writing, and storytelling. Horizons empowers its writers by making a space for their perspectives to be shared and explored.

Dr. La Civita discussed art and its many different forms, from poetry to song to theatre. Since 2011, Alder’s art therapy program has made visual art pieces inspired by the written work of Horizons participants. Some Alder art therapy students made art pieces to go with the poems and came to present their art, in-person. Additionally, event organizers handed out small prints of student artwork at the end of the showcase. Dr. La Civita said it was important to leave with a piece of each other. She said go out into the world and do good.

Myron introduced each program participant with some quick fun facts about them before they presented. Before that, Myron took a moment to honor Keith Freeman, Edrika Fulford, Katherine …, Victor Cruz, and Leanna …, CCH leaders who passed recently. He also thanked everyone for supporting Horizons, asking everyone to give themselves a big round of applause. With that, he introduced the first participant speaker.

Finding Joy

Grassroots leader and CPS committee member Margaret Bingham’s favorite color is pink because it’s her daughter’s favorite color. Her favorite animal is a fish because they remind her of herself, easygoing and chill. And her favorite month is June because it’s when her mom and grandmother’s birthdays are.

Margaret shared her piece ‘Doubled Up’, about being a mother while living [doubled up]. She described living with sick people during the pandemic, feeling unsafe, having no privacy, and being driven away from her young daughter. When she felt down, Margaret said that she found joy in CCH, family, and advocating for affordable housing. Before she left the stage, Margaret said she had found a home for her and her daughter. The whole room erupted with applause and cheers.

“Being doubled up is not a way to live; it’s not safe. When I get depression and down, I found joy in my CCH family and advocating for affordable housing, so my baby and I can be together again.”

Margaret Bingham, CCH grassroots leader

There’s a Lot to Say

In introducing Law Project outreach and case worker Ali Simmons, Myron commended Ali for his many years of work helping people experiencing homelessness. Myron said, “Love your work; love what you do.”

Ali’s favorite color is red, he reads for self-care, and his biggest inspiration is Malcolm X.

Upon taking the stage, Ali didn’t know what else to say other than what he wrote. Ironically, his poem, ‘There is A Lot I Want to Say’, comments on an upside-down society. He seems to describe trying to do good but facing opposition in the form of ignorance and apathy. His poem speaks to a frustration at a society that would rather people bury their heads in the sand than address real and pressing issues people are facing.

“It’s alarming; In this state of life, we find ourselves living.”

Ali Simmons, Law Project Outreach & Case Worker

Everything is Falling into Place

Myron introduced … Juanita Rodgers as a powerhouse poet. She’s also a “biker girl” whose been riding motorcycles since she was a toddler. She loves watching scary movies (just not by herself), and she disliked cats as a child, but as an adult loves her black cat Nigeria.

Juanita has two books of short stories and poems she’s working on. She ended the night by sharing a poem from one of her books called ‘Removing the Mask’, about self-love and the inner strength that comes from it. Her books focus on overcoming and healing from domestic violence. She said she’s fearless now, because there’s no need to be afraid. Juanita read the rhythmic and rhyming poem with a powerful peace.

“I have found the key that unlocks many doors. I now move forward with dignity and grace.”

Juanita Rodgers, writer and CCH grassroots leader

At the end of the showcase, the audience gave a big round of applause to all the participants. Myron thanked the American Writers Museum, Adler University, Horizons’ Program Facilitator Claudia Cabrera, Founder of Horizons Wayne Richard, and all the wonderfully talented Horizons participants for another amazing showcase.

If you want to check out more of the writings from 2022’s talented Horizons Showcase participants, a selection of poems and associated artwork is published in the Horizons 2022 Booklet here.

You can view the full 2022 showcase recording below: