POETRY SLAM WILL BENEFIT MINISTRY

Poets, rappers and songwriters will compete for money and help victims of domestic violence at the Rhythmic Jam Poetry Slam, set for 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at New Dimensions Ministries, 244 SE 45. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Made By Me Publications and God’s Woman With Attitude Inc. are hosting the event, partly to promote poetry.

“I have been a poet for as long as I can remember,” said Lucinda M. Thierry Riles, Made By Me Publications chief executive officer, who has published poetry books for multiple clients and two for herself. “Poetry provides an avenue for emotional release.”

The other reason for the contest is to fund temporary lodging for domestic violence victims who are awaiting longterm housing. Gay Willis-McGhee provides these services as leader of God’s Woman With Attitude Inc.

“Many victims don’t have a place to stay between the time they have to leave the shelter and when permanent housing is available,” Willis-McGhee said. “Because of this, a lot of them go back to the perpetrator.”

Riles and Willis-McGhee are survivors of domestic violence. Made By Me Publications published Willis-McGhee’s biographical account “The Making of a Woman: How I Overcame Domestic Violence.” Four judges will determine the poetry night’s winners. Author and poet Cheryl CraigWhite will serve as emcee. First place in five categories will win $50, and the grand prize recipient will get $100. Deadline for competitor registration is Sept. 5, with a $20 fee for one category and $15 for each one thereafter via the following link: www.eventbrite.com/e/rhythmic-jam-poetry-slamtickets-24110583404. Spectators can register for $10 at the same website by Sept. 5, or they can pay $15 at the door.