CARES Advocates for Families hosted its eighth-annual Black History Month Poetry Slam at the American Legion Post 80 on Saturday, honoring the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. (1, 0:20)

Braving remarkably low temperatures, community members of all ages, Binghamton University students and government officials alike filled the space to enjoy a night of poetry, dance, food and unity.

CARES Advocates for Families is a local organization that helps students and families of color in the Binghamton City School District through a variety of events and programs that support the community. (10) Some of their projects include an annual backpack giveaway and a variety of mentorship programs. (11)

“It’s 100 years of looking at Black history being celebrated,” Denise Yull, the acting CEO of CARES and an associate professor of human development, said in an interview with Pipe Dream. “And I think right now, it means even more to me, because there’s this whole movement to erase us from American history. Black history, in some sense, is a misnomer. We’re a part of American history. There is no American history without Black people.” (12, 0:25)

Black History Month was first celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson established the week to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. (2) In 1976, the U.S. government expanded the holiday to encompass the entire month of February. (2)

The slam began with a welcome from Spirit Bratton, (3) who is in her third year hosting the event. (1, 0:27) She then invited the youth dancers of the Tri-City Twilights up to the stage as the first performers of the night. (1, 0:30) Attendees then stood as members from Undivided, the University’s multicultural R&B group, sang the Black National Anthem. (4)

Local poet and historian Brenda Cave-James gave the keynote speech and shared one of her poems. (4)

“I’ll speak for my elders, my grandparents and theirs, what they endured and overcame, overcame,” Cave-James read. “Centuries of hopelessness, legally assigned to being less than — I’ll speak for the many unknowns who did not, could not overcome.” (1, 19:43)

During her speech, Cave-James addressed the video President Donald Trump posted to social media depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, calling it out as a “telling” and “childish depiction” posted out of envy for the Obamas. (1, 22:10) She also emphasized the importance of reading literature and history by Black authors (1, 27:56) and hearing stories from elder family members to learn about and carry on their histories and stories. (1, 27:00)

Poets participating in the slam were divided into three categories — middle school, high school and adult. The middle school poets followed Cave-James’ speech, reading poems about Black history and empowerment, including “Hey Black Child” by Useni Eugene Perkins. (5, 4:40 and 7:34).

Step-Up 2 Success, a youth step team from the Binghamton area, performed next, (5, 12:45) with part of their routine including choreography to Maya Angelou’s “And Still I Rise.” (5, 17:30). Step-Up 2 Success is a program run by CARES, combining dance and mentorship to support high school students in need of support reengaging with their education. Mentors in the program are part of the University’s X-Fact’r Step Team. (6)

High school poets took the stage before an intermission where dinner, catered by Coop’s Latin & Soul Food, was served. (7, 8:00 and 11:18)

Poets in the adult category performed after dinner, sharing original pieces. (4) Yull then presented the Lawrence Parham Community Activist Award to University student Luna Azcurrain, a senior double-majoring in sociology and Latin American and Caribbean Studies, for her work, particularly centered around incarceration reform. (8, 19:14-20:54)

“It’s always a privilege to be able to share my art and my work,” Sharlene Provilus, the winner of the slam’s adult category, said. “And so being a part of this is special for me — especially this piece, because the piece that I shared tonight, ‘Black,’ is really close to my heart. And so it was cool. It’s such a neat experience to contribute to the community and also to hear other amazing poets.” (9, 0:26)