National Poetry Month Day 8 - Poet 8: Luis Bernard

You'd find that I keep repeating this line and here it goes again, I met Luis Bernard at Soule Restaurant's open mic night. If you didn't believe me, believe me now, Soule was and is a house of poetry. I've met some truly wonderful artists at this arena and feel the honor of spotlighting them for all to see. Mr. B, Mr. B. He is indeed, poetry in motion. And by that I mean he's moving not only emotions with his words, but the artistic minds of tomorrow's leaders. Some of these youth leaders you will see in the days to come. They're amazing, they're talented and they're poetry.

Please take the time to see why Mr. B is an adored poet and community leader.

This poetry month, I spotlight Luis Bernard:



Luis Bernard
nardtruth@yahoo.com
http://myspace.com/theinprogressgroup
347-623-2547

Born in Spanish Harlem and Raised in Activism. Created a youth outreach organization called “The In Progress Group”. A collection of artists dedicated to helping youth understand that the realities of today, extends beyond the block; to take back our kids and empower them to create a new perception of themselves. Has conducted several workshops such as “Thug Bible” and “The Code of the N-Word” at various at-risk youth facilities throughout the New York and Westchester area such as the NAACP 4th Annual Educational Summit held at New Rochelle High School, The Children’s Village in Valhalla, University Settlement, Peekskill High Schools, St. Vincent’s Hospital (B.O.C.C.E.S.) in Harrison New York, Sister to Sister International, and the Bronx Christian fellowship.

A staunch advocate for citywide educational support for the physically challenged, Luis has taught poetry, creative writing, public speaking and has coached participants for the ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) Regional competitions as well as being a committee member.

Involved in creating various computer workshops, in an attempt to bridge the digital divide among the technically challenged in his community.

Honored by the L.I.U. Pre-College Program for the Handicapped, for participation as a panelist/mentor for over 10 years.

Credits include:

featured poet at “Soul Food @ Bookies” in Portland Oregon, appeared in “DuEwa M. Frazier’s “Bringing in the New: Poems for the City” at the Nuyorican Poets Café, Vibe Theory in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, Children’s Village @ Dobbs Ferry, Hosted and provided poetry at the “60’s and 70’s Boogaloo Affair” at the Kennedy Center, The New York Hispanic Cultural Festival, The Bowery Poetry café, the Providence Black Repertory Company, Cynthia Roby’s “Spoken Word Artist from the Caribbean to Brooklyn” parts I & II, the NYC, Featured artist at Food 4 Thought, Brooklyn, Health & Hospital Corporation Hispanic Heritage Awards, Black History Month Art Exhibition/Poetry Event in the Harlem State Office Building and also produced the “Thug Bible Poetry Show” for an emotionally delayed youth population.

Facilitated Code of the N-Word workshops for Sister-to-Sister International and N.A.A.C.P. Youth Council, C0-facilitated poetry workshops for “Spoke-N-Heard” at Purchase College, Judged at several Urban Word Teen Poetry Slam Competitions, Judged at HarlemLive Teen Poetry Slams, facilitated creative writing/performance workshops for St. John The Baptist Cultural & Arts Center in Brooklyn.

In 2001 the In Progress Group was created by a collection of artist who were dedicated to taking back our youth one mind at a time.

Giving our young people a platform to address the issues that directly affects them.

Several workshops were introduced, including Code of the N-Word and Thug Bible, a gang intervention initiative, in order to establish line of communication with the Youth community.

In September 0f 2009, Brain Damage – A Youth Open Mic was started. Attracting High and College student in New York Tri-State area.

Realizing that because the events were held on Tuesday evenings, that there was a conflict with school nights. Therefore in January 2010 it was rescheduled to the first Saturday afternoon of the month. The result was not only a full house every session but a high demand from teens to be among the featured artist.

The popularity has been such that beginning in April a series of Creative Writing / Performance Workshops will be in place to help with better participation at the Brain Damage Events.

Two of those that I have mentored that have also come through this program are Naima Ince and Purpose (Nia Logan). With some guidance these very talented and scholastically committed young ladies are not only making moves in the arts but their community as well. I am happy to announce that aside from the accomplishments in the respective bio’s, they will also be a part of upcoming projects that will reach further out to empower our communities through the arts.