BLEEK

THE WORD: spoken - poetic or any other kind ! ................ History of POZATIV CHAINGE......../POZATIV CHAINGE, a poetry group dedicated to preserving & promoting the spoken word in the greater Baltimore area. Founded by BLEEK, lead host, the former co-host of poetry nite at Essence of Thoughts-the Bookstore, teamed with Lyrical Conscious to form POZATIV CHAINGE. Co-founder Lyrical Conscious, former co-host of Cades Restaurant poetry nite, had the idea of the hosts coming together to keep poetry alive in the greater Baltimore area since venues were closing; for example Larry Stewarts, Cades & Essence of Thoughts -the Bookstore. This venture began in the summer of 1999, while contemplating where poetry would be held in the fall, especially, since Lyrical Conscious & the Cades’ poets began holding open mic poetry at the open air, in the inner harbor pavilion in front of the Science Center. After deciding to form a union, BLEEK & Lyrical set out to find a new venue for poetry, just one look across the harbor & a possible solution was found. POZATIV CHAINGE became a collaboration of former hosts of poetry venues around Baltimore City. A meeting with Barnes & Noble’s Community Representative, Parissa Snider, gave POZATIV CHAINGE a venue to hold open mic poetry, monthly - every last Tuesday. Then, in the same month, POZATIV CHAINGE secured a second venue in the Woodlawn area that held open mic poetry monthly - every second Saturday. The following month another venue was secured, Les Nubian, in Reservoir Hill, with open mic poetry - every second Tuesday of the month. So, in the span of 60-days, POZATIV CHAINGE, had accomplished its goal, and provided a poetry venue for youth at Sibanye’s - African American bookstore on Rogers Avenue.Prior to opening a poetry series at Barnes & Noble - Inner Harbor (the power plant) in September of 1999 with an attendance of nearly 100 patrons, BLEEK was commissioned by the Baltimore Office of Promotions to host & organize the Baltimore Book Festival’s Poetry Slam contest in September of 1999, 2000 & 2001. The event, ironically, was held in the Barnes & Noble Coffee Bar tent in 1999. Each event was hugely successful.POZATIV CHAINGE, a non - profit organization, also held a very successful fundraiser at Uncle Lee’s Szechuan Restaurant in October 1999 & 2000. The program was an open mic poetry event with a published featured poet & a live jazz band: UNIT ONE. POZATIV CHAINGE has performed at Clifton T. Perkins Correctional Facility in April 2000 & 2001. Also, POZATIV CHAINGE performed at Essex Community College in April 2000. Then in October 2002, POZATIV CHAINGE held a fourth anniversary show with Temika Moore (vocalist) at Howard County Arts Center sponsored by Harmony of the Sol, Inc [www.Harmonyof thesol.org]. Also, POZATIV CHAINGE performed with Robert Reason at a jazz & poetry show in April 2003 for the same organization. POZATIV CHAINGE has lectured on poetry at Coppin State University in April 2003, 2004, 2005, & 2006; as well as, Maryland Institute College of Art {MICA} as part of the Spectrum of Poetic Fire [.org] series in October 2003 & 2005.Then, with the same speed that venues were obtained, POZATIV CHAINGE, increased its membership from two to four. The members are as follows: BLEEK, Lyrical Conscious, Mel Brooks & Romelle Johnson. In 2000, added Amanda Fair & Keisha Lambert – first teen members. Later in September 2002 added new member: Sara, Towanda Parker (of www.Towandaparker.com) & Teresa McCree. After, October 2003, some members decided to pursue other interests so new members were added. In the winter of 2003, new members: D’ciple, Unique Robinson, Kemit, ThePoetLuce and Jacqui Cummings [owner of Notre Maison] replaced some of the group’s previous members. Madea “Da Truth” Bailey was added after she so convincingly won first place at the Baltimore Book Festival Teen Slam & Teen Verze Slam Final in September 2004.POZATIV CHAINGE was responsible for hosting & organizing ARTSCAPE 2000 adult Poetry Slam contest on Sunday, July 23; sponsored by the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Art & Culture [MACA]. Then, POZATIV CHAINGE made an appearance on the local WJZ-TV talk show “On Time” to promote the poetry slam for ARTSCAPE 2000. Also, on Sunday, in July, 2002, in July 2003, and in July 2004 we were responsible for hosting the first ARTSCAPE Teen Poetry Slam; sponsored by the Maryland State Poetry & Literary Society and the Baltimore Office of Promotions and the Arts. Also, we developed an interactive workshop on poetry which was hosted by special guest host: Ad-Lib, a freestyle poet. Ad-Lib stepped in to host Notre Maison [2/04] and our new venue Wydeye Café in Fells Point [5/04]. POZATIV CHAINGE organized & promoted poetry nite at Notre Maison [www.notremaison25th.com]. We opened/hosted a new open mic poetry nite at Urban Blends Coffee House in Randallstown [5/04]. POZATIV CHAINGE was commissioned by Enoch Pratt Free Library to lead teen poetry workshops at various branches [2-9/2004] – TEEN VERZE, co-hosted with Unique Robinson [Artscape Teen Slam champ 2003]. POZATIV CHAINGE hosted the first Minas Gallery SLAM on April 18, 2004. We hosted/organized the first Teen Poetry Slam at the [BBF] Baltimore Book Festival 2004. POZATIV CHAINGE lectured @ ARTSCAPE 2005/BBF 2005 and fielded a booth @BBF’05.POZATIV CHAINGE has appeared numerous times on the radio station of Morgan State University’s WEAA 88.9 FM programs: Sandy Mallory Show (the Station Director), The Back Page Talk Show with Craig Thompson, Friday Night Jazz Club with Angel, and several appearances on The Magic Bird Show with Lasana Bill Harvey.POZATIV CHAINGE built a website in April 2002: http://geocities.com/pozativchainge that list mission, contact info, logo, event schedule & new message board.