A.I. The Anomaly

today marks 4 years since a murderer came into our east side community and snatched the lives of 10 members. Devastated the whole city. I was angry. That anger still exists.

Then I decided to focus on joy. The fact that we have all we need to thrive brings me joy. Knowing that our community has leaders that operate within their skills and use their resources to support sustainability. That brings me joy.

That all we need is us betting on us is what brings me joy. Pain exists still… oh but joy lives within us as well.

We aren’t feeble nor faint. We are fighters. But we shouldn’t have to all our lives. Once we really grasp that…. nothing but JOY!!

Poetically Speaking Workshop: Ingredients of a Poem

An interactive poetry workshop blending culinary inspiration with creative writing. Participants craft a collective poem exploring culture, care, and connection at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Details:

Date: May 1st

Time: 5-7PM

Location: Buffalo AKG Art Museum - 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

Creatives/Artists… when you were told there’s no money in what you do it wasn’t that whoever said it didn’t believe in you… in some situations they said it out of fear for you. Some people want the best for you and if there were no examples of financially fit artists in your surroundings… there was no proof that it was possible.

It is possible. It just takes processes.
Operate your artistry with excellence.
Failures are lessons. Lessons are gold.

Benjamin is an author, spoken word poet, and teaching artist who leads poetry and flash fiction workshops for students from middle school to college among many other creative engagements.

He’s the author of Secret Anniversaries and The Procession, with work appearing in Ghost Parachute, Peatsmoke Journal, Wild Roof Journal, and more. His fiction was featured in the Buffalo: A City of Innovation exhibit at Conventus Connects Gallery.

A teaching artist since 2015, Benjamin has collaborated with Just Buffalo Writing Center, Eat Off Art, and many other creative communities.
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Poetically Speaking is a short digital storytelling and literary arts series project produced and directed by
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Swipe through and take a moment to recognize Brandon Williamson!

Brandon Williamson is a poet, performer, educator, assistant principal, and wrestler born in Buffalo, N.Y. After earning his BA in Theater from SUNY Fredonia in 2007, he returned to his hometown to continue shaping the local arts community.

In 2012, Williamson founded the Pure Ink Poetry Slam the first monthly event of its kind in the city. He has traveled widely on the slam circuit across the U.S. and Canada, and in 2015 published Critical Lens, a collection of his selected poems.

Williamson also facilitates writing and performance workshops for organizations throughout Western New York.
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Poetically Speaking is a short digital storytelling and literary arts series project produced and directed by

Images by /
Graphics assets produced through