April 28-The Mixer, a reading by The Friendship Project Charlotte
I'm grateful to organizer Kayla Brooks (who I met at the aforementioned Charlotte SHOUT festival dropping some fye spoken word) for the invite to her open mic at Bernardin's Restaurant downtown (this place has been dinner goals since I first got out of college...I gotta get by there!)
The event caters (but is not exclusive to) black millennials, so I just missed the age cut off ;) -but Kayla graciously invited me anyway. I learned that quite a few of the attendees met through Stephen Furtick's Elevation Church. I was so impressed by the collection of fly (Gen X term), engaging young professionals, many of whom were HBCU or UNCC grads and had moved to the city for school or work. I couldn't help thinking I was looking at Charlotte's future black middle class and that I hoped they all paired up and got married (lol). (An aside-young brother on the music was spinning some early 2000's r&b and I THOROUGHLY impressed w/the playlist-had to show him love when things were over.)
It was such a warm vibe in the room and everyone showed the readers (& singers) love. My highlight of the night was reading some work I don't think I've ever read from Lilies in the Valley. I asked if anyone knew the song I named the book after (knowing they did)-but man, when I started singing it, they joined in so enthusiastically and I think the handful of folks who maybe hadn't heard the song before got a real treat-we sounded like a mass choir! It was a truly unforgettable moment. I'm hoping to send some younger folks I know to the next event. Shout out for Bernardin's for being such gracious hosts of such a great event.
The event caters (but is not exclusive to) black millennials, so I just missed the age cut off ;) -but Kayla graciously invited me anyway. I learned that quite a few of the attendees met through Stephen Furtick's Elevation Church. I was so impressed by the collection of fly (Gen X term), engaging young professionals, many of whom were HBCU or UNCC grads and had moved to the city for school or work. I couldn't help thinking I was looking at Charlotte's future black middle class and that I hoped they all paired up and got married (lol). (An aside-young brother on the music was spinning some early 2000's r&b and I THOROUGHLY impressed w/the playlist-had to show him love when things were over.)
It was such a warm vibe in the room and everyone showed the readers (& singers) love. My highlight of the night was reading some work I don't think I've ever read from Lilies in the Valley. I asked if anyone knew the song I named the book after (knowing they did)-but man, when I started singing it, they joined in so enthusiastically and I think the handful of folks who maybe hadn't heard the song before got a real treat-we sounded like a mass choir! It was a truly unforgettable moment. I'm hoping to send some younger folks I know to the next event. Shout out for Bernardin's for being such gracious hosts of such a great event.
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