Jube School Presents: Writing Change into the World with Wakefield Brewster : A Black History Month Poetic Presentation
February 10 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
In this Professional Interactive Poetic Presentation (PiPP), Wakefield will present Poetry that centres around:
Justice - Equity - Equality - Diversity - Inclusivity - Accessibility - Intersectionality
As they all pertain to Black History, Black Presently, and Black to The Future.
This is interactive, not a lecture, and after each poem and throughout the presentation, there will be time for: QuIBOCOSQuestions (unquestionably) -- Ideas, Beliefs, Opinions, Comments, Observations, and Suggestions.
Recommended grades: 7 - 12. Teachers are encouraged to participate alongisde their students.
Supplies needed: Notebook and pencil
About the artist: Wakefield Brewster, Calgary Poet Laureate, 2022 – 2024
In January 1999, Wakefield Brewster stepped onto his first stage as a Poet and Spoken Word Artist. Today, he is known as one of Canada’s most powerful Professional Performance Poets.
A BlackMan raised in Toronto by parents from Barbados, he has resided in Calgary since 2006, and it is in the New West where Wakefield has been able to truly flourish as a Poet and as a Person.
Throughout his career, Wakefield has been published in several Anthologies:
• T-Dot Griots, Trafford on Demand Publishing, 2004
• The Great Black North, Frontenac House, 2013
• The Calgary Project, Frontenac House, 2014
• The Black Prairie Archives: An Anthology, Wilfred Laurier University Press, 2019
Since moving to Calgary, he has produced two Professional Recordings to his credit:
• Wakefield Brewster, da lyrical pitbull
Produced by Kill Whitey Records, 2007
• east2west
Produced by Spanish Fly Music, 2008
Here is a list of roles he is currently enlisted in:
• Professional Poet & Spoken Word Artist
• Professional Poetic Interpreter™
• Calgary’s 1st City Slam Poetry Champion, 2006
• Calgary’s only 3-Time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion & Team Captain; 2006, 2008, 2009
• Inaugural Poet Of Honour, People’s Poetry Festival, 2011
• Calgary Poet Laureate Official Shortlist/Finalist 2012, 2020
• Calgary Poet Laureate Unofficial Shortlist/Finalist 2014, 2016, 2018
• Inaugural Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre 2019 – 2022
• Inaugural TD ARTIST INCUBATOR at Arts Commons, Poet-In-Residence, 2021-2022
• Canadian League Of Poets Member
• Former Elephant Artist’s Relief Society Board Member
• Peter Gzowski Foundation For Literacy Calgary Poet Laureate, 2021
• Registered Massage Therapist and owner of WakeFull Wellness Registered Massage Therapy & HealingSpace
• Community Builder by engaging in Volunteering, Leadership and Mentorship for Youth and through The Arts
• Advocate for Literacy and The Humanities; Healing Arts & Alternative Medicine; Alcoholism & Addictions; Mental Wellness & Recovery
• In 2019, he was appointed as The Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta.
• In 2021, Wakefield joined The League Of Canadian Poets in order to become a more integral part of Canada’s Literary scene, while representing the standards of Diversity and Representation.
• In 2023, he became the TD INCUBATOR Fellow for the 2023-2024 Season, Mentoring over 30 Up-And-Coming Calgary Artists from all disciplines.
•Also in 2023, Frontenac House Publishing House signed Wakefield on to release his very first full-length Poetry Manuscript. To be release in April 2024 during National Poetry Month: WakeWord
After all that the stage has given Wakefield, he has discovered other ways that he may repay his beloved Poetry and Arts Communities, by performing silently, backstage for them, providing productions.
He accomplishes this mission as a Connector, Creator, Curator, and Collaborator.
Wakefield finds that underneath the many hats and the many hoodies he wears, resides a most wonderful life.
He would like to sincerely Thank You All, for being a part of it!