ith the spread of viruses like West Nile and Zika, there is a lot of attention placed on the impact and eectiveness of the mosquito. While tiny in stature, the mosquito’s impact is best described by the African proverb: “If you think you’re too small to make a dierence, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito”. Northeast Ohioans who have been sleeping in the room with a poetic mosquito called e Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word have felt their bite for years and heard the buzz of their poetic lyrics that addresses social and community ills (violence, drugs, bullying). ey have heard their buzz through the spoken word performances they render at nursing homes, schools, churches, festivals, conferences, and annually at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now, Tutajenga Conference participants will enjoy sound and stings spoken word at the “We Will Rise” explosion by Cleveland’s premier performing poets, Cleveland UMADAOP’s, Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word. For thirteen consecutive years this group of performing poets have seen the challenges in their community and stood up against them with unied poetic voices. In 2015, the group travelled to Paris and Lyon, France, performing at schools, youth centers, and at the US Embassy and before the consulate. is community based project comprised of adolescent males, now has an international reach. eir poetry buzzes with hope, fulllment of dreams and a commitment to serve others through the power of performance arts. If you have ever heard their words, sat in the audience and felt the power of their presentation, then indeed you have been locked in a closed room with a metaphorical mosquito that impacts, challenges and inspires! e group rmly stands on the foundation of three tenets that the brotherhood calls the CB’s; Community Building, Character Based; Committed Brotherhood . W
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