Ebony Washington
New York City, New York, United States | INDIE
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Ebony Washington, a political poet, shares her work during a recent Fordham appearance. In an event hosted by the African Diaspora, Washington spoke to an energetic crowd in the Rose Hill Commons Thursday, October 21, 2004.
Washington, a poet who is known for her political views, began her career performing poetry in college and since then has spiraled into an award winning spoken word artist. She was a featured artist on BET's to "Lyric Cafe" and has since created her own company POetLITICAL, Inc., which promotes other political artists.
Washington's performance was a mix of musically inspired pieces and political poems assess speaking out against various social injustices, such as racism, sexism, stereotyping and civil rights. She also touched upon the current election and the tragedy of the war in Iraq. "This is the second year I've heard this performance." Tricha Prettypaul, FCRH '05 and Vice President of the African Diaspora said. "
[Once] again Ms. Washington's poems prove to inspire and invoke emotions about politics and society that cause every listener to start thinking about the world around them. I think that's the most important influence a poet can have to make us think."
Highlights of the night included Ms. Washington's recital of "Right Here" a poem written for the women of Afghanistan, although Washington took care to amend her introduction saying the poem was " really for all women". It was the performance of this poem that one Washington the Aretha Franklin/Nikki Giovanni Poetry Contest.
Another high point of the show was what Washington called a poem for peace which she wrote after the September 11th attacks entitled "Windows on the World". The poem concluded with the line "... but if our windows are on in the world, why can't we see?"
The night concluded with Washington promoting her album Revolutionary Kind of Girl and in fighting all those in attendance to apply for the politically inspired scholarships she and her colleagues from POetLITICAL, Inc. are organizing.
Students stayed after the show to shake Ms. Washington's hand although she quickly pulled each person into a hug. Attendees of the show were grateful and impressed.
"Ms. Washington was fantastic” Ayanda Rouse, CBA '07, said. Her words were very deep and so profound. She was such a wonderful speaker. - Emily Cunningham, Staff Writer- Fordham University
For National Poetry Month we're pleased to announce that Ebony Washington is the winner of the Queen in Waiting Poetry Contest, which honors Areatha Franklin and is sponsored by legacy recordings. Six finalists were judged by eminent poet Nikki Giovanni. For more informatin on Ebony go to www.poetlitical.com.
[Poem follows]
- Angela Kinamore, Poetry Editor- Essence
Discography
Revolutionary Kind of Girl(Preview CD) - EP 2002
Revolutionary Kind of Girl- LP 2004
Photos
Bio
Ebony Washington is a spoken-word artist who turns social commentary into art. She began performing poetry during her senior year at Hofstra University. Upon the completion of her degree in film production, Ebony quickly gained notoriety performing at all of New York City's hot spots. Her passionate politics and courage to tackle tough issues made her a crowd favorite and earned her the nickname "Poetlician." Ebony has featured at venues and colleges across the country. She wowed audiences across the United States and in Europe.
In 2001, Ebony left her job as a New York City Public School Teacher and formed POetLITICAL, Inc. to counter overwhelmingly violent and sexually charged popular music. POetLITICAL, Inc.'s mission is to bring socially conscious arts back to popular culture and to promote artists who confront society's injustices through their work. Shortly after, Ms. Washington began recording her debut CD which combines poetry reminiscent of her lyrical influences The Last Poets, Nikki Giovanni and KRS1 with a radical fusion of musical genres that includes Modern Rock, Hip Hop, Blues, and Jazz.
Ebony Washington's energetic performances ultimately lead her into theater and screen acting. She has appeared in several independent films and off-Broadway productions. Her poem "I've Got Rhythm" on women in music videos received critical acclaim from www.theatermania.com following her appearance in the off-Broadway production A Message in our Music. In January 2003, Ms. Washington won the Aretha Franklin/Nikki Giovanni Poetry Competition sponsored by BET and Sony Music, and judged by Nikki Giovanni. The competition aired on BET's spoken word series Lyric Cafe in April and the winning poem "Right Here" written for the women in Afghanistan was published in 'Essence' Magazine. In April 2004, Ms. Washington was awarded a fellowship from New York Foundation of the Arts.
Ebony Washington recently released her debut album Revolutionary Kind of Girl currently on sale. She will be performing a revival of her one woman play Cross Lines: A Black Woman's Perspective on American Politics and posts regularly to he blog which she is developing into a memoir.
Testimonials
but there was one poem to beat and no one has done that yet that poem is Right Here
by Ebony Washington. - Nikki Giovanni, Poet/ Author
Ebony Washingtons work is an iconoclasm on steroids! Her rapid-fire rendering is
beyond rant. She deviates above the norm. Dont Blink! -Bruce George, Executive
Producer of Def Poetry Jam
Soul stirring political poet, Ebony Washington educates her audience with insightful
analogies by taking you there
-Jennelle Mahone-Sy, Essence Magazine
Hearing Ebony live is an experience mixed with beat, passion, heart and energy that
awakens listeners to real life issues that affect each one of us today. -John Mascetta, Assistant Director of Campus Activities for Pace University Pleasantville NY
Her charisma is Contagious!!! -Jamie OMally, Spring Hill College Multicultural
Student Union President- AL
Pizzazz one of many attributes Ebony brings to the stage. Her passion will ignite the
audience leaving them breathless. She is a must see
-Kirk Daley, Director of Student
Activities of Bronx Community College NY
Ebonys Poetry knocks at the very core of the soul. It reawakens our consciousness
sending poetic waves at the speed of light. Her words powerful just as the woman she is.
Grace Addow, President of African Students Association of Baruch College- NY
Ms. Washingtons brilliant performance will have you enlightened culturally and
politically. You will leave thinking in ways you never have before. -Tinishia Bass, Brookdale College Black Student Union President -NJ
[Ebony]
laced her strongly delivered poems with visions of oppression, the slave
trade, and body image
- Brita Brundge, Arts Editor of Fairfield County Weekly- CT
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