The Knicks Jam With Poetry

The Knicks have teamed up with important partners Urban Word NYC, Canon Business Solutions, and Stephon Marbury in creating this event.

Even before the Poetry flew and the Slam-ming began, the good vibes were all over the spacious auditorium as New York Liberty legend Kym Hampton’s super-cute 15-month old daughter A’riel was toddling all over the stage to a loud chorus of “ooh’s” and “aah-s”. A two-foot poem in motion, her smile lit up the entire enormous place as she boogey-ed on happily with one of the kids.

A’riel set the mood superbly -- and expert MC Mike Ellison built on that. “This afternoon we’ve got poetry, we’ve got giveaways, we even have a Knicks player, Stephon Marbury,” he announced to wild approval. “The only rule is: respect the mike.”

“This is what we do in Poetry Slam,” continued Ellison. “Through the spoken word, hip hop, and poetry, we encourage literacy. Thing is, if you can’t express yourself, it’s going to be a hard time in a long life for any one of us. And that is true whether you want to become an athlete, a poet, a teacher, or the vice president of a corporation. We at the Knicks organization care about you, your education, and your future -- that is why we’re here. We want you to become productive citizens who have the ability to succeed and know how to get to the top.”

“This afternoon is a celebration of three years of hard work,” Knicks Vice President of Community Relations and Fan Development Karin Buchholz said. “I got turned on to poetry when I went to see Poetry Jam on Broadway and then Mike, your MC who is a good friend of mine, performed on Def Poetry Jam. These events inspired me to wake up to the value of poetry to young people and to create this program. Every single one of you can get involved -- if you haven’t done it before, writing and performing poetry can be taught and we are here to teach you.”

K Swift from Urban Word NYC then explained the details, processes, possibilities, and potential results of the program, urging the students to join the 6 continuous workshops being held all over the five boroughs. “There is a written component to this as well,” he said. “For those of you who want to write poetry but don’t necessarily feel ready to get up and perform, we have a place for you. At the end of the year, your poem may even end up published on the Urban Word website, the New York Knicks website, or even in a professional anthology.”

A trio of winners from the 2004 and 2005 Slams performed next. Jasmine Rous’ poem was about the joy of being a young black woman. Jamela Liscot performed a piece about the importance of spirituality in today’s society, decrying “trying to fix God-sized problems with man-made tools.” Anthony McCoy’s poem was about how, as much as he’d like, it is impossible to remain apolitical today. And feature poet Jamal St. John simply brought down the house with his three phenomenal pieces, including the much-requested “A Letter to the Better” he performed at last year’s Slam. “He is great -- Jamal is probably my favorite poet of all the time,” Allison said. “The brother rocks!”

Hampton told the students how impressed she was by this event and encouraged them to continue to pay attention to their education, build their confidence, and continue to express themselves. “In the end, life is all about choices,” she said. “So make sure you make good choices. Work on your game, whether it’s basketball, poetry, or whatever. Most importantly, work on your weaknesses: that’s what gets you to reach eventual greatness.”

Every student in attendance received a Knicks tee shirt and an invitation to the team’s Oct. 30. Open Practice where they’ll get the opportunity to meet individually with Stephon Marbury. “It will start at 12 noon,” Bulcholz told the students. “I’ll be there at ten!” one kid said. “Nine!” piled on another. “Whether it’s poetry, or Stephon, or the Knicks, or whatever, I’m there! Nine, bro!”