Slam Nuba facts for kids
Slam Nuba is an exciting event in Denver, Colorado, USA, where people share their own poems out loud. It's a type of performance poetry called a "poetry slam." This event started in 2006 as a program of the Pan African Arts Society and is approved by Poetry Slam, Inc., a national organization for poetry slams.
Slam Nuba holds its poetry events at Cafe Nuba. Bigger poetry slams happen at The Crossroads Theater. Both places are in the Five Points neighborhood in Denver.
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The Story of Slam Nuba
Slam Nuba was created by three people: Ashara Ekundayo, Ken Arkind, and Panama Soweto. Cafe Nuba had been a place for poetry slams for a few years but had never sent a team to the National Poetry Slam competition. Slam Nuba is part of a non-profit group, which means it's set up to help the community rather than make money.
First Steps: The 2007 Team
In 2007, Slam Nuba competed for the first time. The team had four talented poets: Jai Harris, Bobby LeFebre, Panama Soweto, and Lucifury (whose real name is Theo Wilson). Suzi Q. Smith was the team's founder and "Slam Master." A Slam Master is like the organizer and manager of the team. Bianca Mikahn was the team's coach, helping them get ready for competitions.
Changes and Growth in 2008
The year 2008 brought some changes for Slam Nuba. Some poets from the first team stayed, and new ones joined. The team included Bobby LeFebre, Panama Soweto, Lucifury, Original Woman, and Ayinde Russell. Suzi Q. Smith left her role, and Bobby LeFebre and Panama Soweto took over as the new Slam Masters. Bianca Mikahn continued as the coach.
During the 2008 season, the team performed at a special party for volunteers of the Democratic National Convention. This was a big political meeting held in Denver that year. The team was also featured in an article in El Semanario, a local newspaper for the Latino community in Denver.
New Faces and Big Wins: 2009-2011
In 2009, the poets who represented Slam Nuba at national events were Bobby LeFebre, Ken Arkind, Panama Soweto, The Original Woman, and Lucifury. Suzi Q. Smith returned to coach the team.
The 2010 team had Lucifury as their coach. New poets joined, including Jen Rinaldi, Jovan Mays, Megan Rickman, and Amy Everhart.
The year 2011 was a huge one for Slam Nuba! The team, coached by Jen Rinaldi, won the 2011 National Poetry Slam. The winning team members were Theo "Lucifury" Wilson, Brando Chemtrails, Ayinde Russell, Jovan Mays, Dominique Christina, and Mikena Richardson. This was a major achievement for the Denver-based poetry group.
Also in 2011, Slam Nuba was recognized by the Denver Westword, a local newspaper, as part of their "Mastermind Class of 2011." This honor celebrates creative and innovative groups in the city.
