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Meet Your Neighbor - Jade Foster
Duke Ellington grad bringing poetry into our homes
by Maceo Thomas
C rossing the dark parking lot, a pair of young twen-
ty-something’s navigate their way to the apartment
building just blocks from the Benning Road Metro sta-
ly served as a guest judge for a middle school poetry
contest hosted by the Higher Achievement Program at
Kelly Miller Middle School. Offering precise critique
tion. Buzzed in they climb the stairs and arrive at a small and questioning the young poets use of similes, personifi-
apartment that has been turned into the venue for The cation and metaphors, Jade is a teacher at heart.
Black Church Maraca, a poetry open mic night. “I’m praying about becoming a classic classroom and
In the middle of the forty–some audience members chalkboard teacher in the near future,” she says. Jade
standing against the wall, comfortably squeezed on the returned to DC after graduating from Sarah Lawrence
couch and sitting on the floor, is the hostess, casually College where she studied history and writing. Recog-
dressed in a red t-shirt, blue jeans and a large smile. nizing her gifts and the benefits she received at Duke
Meet your neighbor, Jade Foster. Ellington, she looks to inspire students who may not have
Tall, nearly six feet, with a close cropped hair cut and a strict focus on the arts.
electric smile, Jade Foster, is a force of energy all to her- “I just want young people to read and stimulate their
self. This night she is the host of a roaming open mic imaginations. I want to give young people access to craft
night supported by young creatives arriving from all over in this city. Going to Duke gave me an advantage as a
DC and out-of-towners coming together to share their person and as an artist. But there are so many other gifted
words, music and passion in a manner that would remind kids out here who might not have that luxury and I just
another generation of a rent party with a twist -- three want to sit down with them and say here -- here’s a cool
dollars to get in, two fifty for a drink and snacks for ev- author -- check them out.”
eryone. The Black Church Maraca has become a monthly
Last year after developing a chapbook – a short com- event and was recently hosted at the home of another
pilation of poems- Jade searched for a venue to perform River East poet and host of Anacostia’s Honfleur Gal-
pieces from the book. She decided to make the event a lery’s monthly poetry show, Fred Joiner. Jade continues
house party and was invited to use her friend Jasmine searching for other individuals to open their homes to
Burems’ home. allow poetry to flow through the community. The idea
“It was fun,” she recalls of the inaugural event. “We of offering safe space for new and seasoned poets has al-
just recognized the energy and the sharing that came lowed poetry to move from the late night bar scenes to
with being in a house and having an open mic and food the comfort of the homes in the community.
and wine.” “I’ve invited my grandmother, even,” as she makes it
When it was all done and over, it had to continue. clear poetry has a voice for everyone.
“Jasmine looked at me and was like, ‘Yo! We should do this If interested in registering for the Black Church Maraca
every month and call it Black Church Maraca.’” So named mailing list or hosting an event in your home, contact Jade
from the title of one of Foster’s poems, this poetry house Foster at jade.foster@gmail.com.
party is reminiscent of the
exciting energy the tam- Maceo Thomas lives in Ft.
bourine builds at a Sunday Dupont Park. He is a Re-
service while tipping a hat altor and community activ-
to the community built ist. He is the co-founder of
by the African American Liberated Muse Produc-
church. tions, created to promote
Jade, a Duke Elling- artistry and awareness of
ton High School grad, issues pivotal to urban com-
is actively involved in munities. He can be reached
advancing poetry in the at maceothomas@gmail.com
community. She recent- and on Facebook. ★
38 ★ East of the River | March 2009
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February 24th – March 19, 2009
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Serving Pre-School - 7th
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NO EXCEPTIONS,
NO EXCUSES”
At HRA we offer:
Strong Curriculum for all students
Spanish as a foreign language
Character education with an extended
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Paragon studies which teaches a
variety of historical cultures
from multiple countries For More Information:
Before and After Care 202.610.4193
Main Campus: K -7th
701 Howard Road SE
202.582.3322
Enroll Your Child Penn Campus: Pre-School - 3rd
Today for 3000 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
2009-2010 202.583.2828
School Year G Street Campus: 3rd - 6th
4625 G. Street, SE
www.HowardRoadAcademy.org
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 39
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