The Poetic Symposium

The Poetic Symposium is a program created to assist spoken word artists on a quest to heighten literary awareness, in both children and adults. Caddo Parish statistics state that 16% of adults in our community are illiterate. The program began at the Shreve Memorial Library Pines Road Branch in July 2010. A successful tour of four libraries in different low-income communities and a performance at the (SPAR) Shreveport Parks and Recreation/ Bilberry Park, followed the first event.

"Creative outlets form a place for those who feel threatened in a classroom environment to come out of their shell, find resources for help, and not be embarrassed about a growing and detrimental existing problem all over the United States", says Nicola Medley Bryant,of Consult Medley Publishing. "Our Program began at the Shreve Memorial Library Pines Road Branch in July 2010. A successful tour of four libraries in different low-income communities and a performance at the (SPAR) Shreveport Parks and Recreation/ Bilberry Park, followed the first event. The events where recorded and placed on DVD to assist the performers with digital examples of their work. We began the same program in 2011 including YouTube video’s to reach a younger more trendy market and boost the confidence of those who would perform."

The next Poetic Symposium will be held March 12, 2011, 3- 4pm, at the Atkins Branch Library, 3704 Greenwood Rd. Shreveport, LA 71109 featuring Poet Mocha Blue Blaze. Youth are encouraged to perform.

The event is free to the public,
For more information please contact 214-364-9852.