Say it Aloud: An Evening of Poetry and Spoken Word Performances

Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 7–8 p.m.

Say it Aloud is sold out.

Kara Walker is a storyteller with a unique mode of narration. Experience Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and Walker’s narrative leanings with an intimate evening of poetry and spoken word performances by local Cincinnati voices. Plus, come early and experience the exhibition opening from 5–7 p.m.

This event is open to the public. Reservations are required for the poetry event due to current COVID-19 guidelines.

To support the health and safety of Cincinnati Art Museum guests and staff, the museum requires that all attendees at this event certify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID 19 or have received a negative COVID 19 test within 72 hours of the event taking place. Please check in at the registration table in the event space prior to the start of the event. In the case of warm weather, this event will be held in the Bimel Courtyard. If weather is inclement, it will be held in the Great Hall where masks will be required.

Please check website for most up-to-date information regarding this event.

Featuring Performances By

Annie Ruth

Annie Ruth is a dynamic sister who utilizes her voice and positive spirit to inspire people around the globe. She is an award-winning poet, author, and performer who has received critical acclaim for her work. She has authored and illustrated over 40 books, articles and inspirational commentaries and is active in Greater Cincinnati, serving causes that impact women, the arts, and education. This year she released her latest inspirational volume of prose and poetry entitled, Conquering the Hell Chapters.

Annie Ruth is the founder of Dada Rafiki, pronounced (DAH-Dah RAH-fee-kee), a celebration of women that acknowledges their contributions through visual art, poetry, song and dance. Dada Rafiki means “sister friend” in the Kiswahili language of East Africa. She has celebrated, and honored hundreds of women in Cincinnati through art and cultural programming. Several national venues that she has performed in include Speaking of Women's Health®, Universal Sisters®, and African American Women on Tour®.

Camille Jones

Camille Jones is a Cincinnati native, writer, lover of books, dance, and considers herself a film enthusiast. As a University of Cincinnati dual-degree graduate, Camille has earned both a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration. Currently, Camille works as a dance instructor and Development Manager for Elementz Hip Hop Cultural Art Center. One of Cincinnati’s only mainstays for developing the creative curiosities of young people using culturally relevant artforms rooted in Hip Hop.

Within the city, Camille devotes her time to making a positive impact on growth and confidence building in youth and adults through her co-founded black-women-led hip hop dance team (CA)^2 (CEE-AY-Squared), an acronym for confidently creating active achievers. Beyond creative career achievement, Camille plans to continue her volunteer efforts within marginalized Cincinnati communities and to be an ally and proponent of using the arts as a means for social reform.

Camille is a newfound member of the Rooted Collaborative, a global network of women fundraisers within the BIPOC community and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter.

Kimberly DuWaup Bolden

Kimberly DuWaup Bolden has been bringing her own brand of flavor to the art scene for nearly 20 years. She is a pioneer who has conquered the mic, the stage, and everything in between and she is showing no signs of slowing down. With five recording projects, an artist development company, and a highly sought after poetry slam, (DuWaup's Cincinnati Poetry Slam), DuWaup is also a published author. Her debut poetry book titled, "SINCERELY, DuWaup" will launch on December 3, 2021, accompanied by her first digitally distributed recording project, titled "SINCERELY, DuWaup the Soundtrack" to be released on all streaming platforms. She is a wife, mother,  artist, and artist mentor as well as Elementz Hip Hop Cultural Art Center's Marketing Manager and Poetry Programs Coordinator. As a Poet, DuWaup is as versatile as the many hats she wears. Depending on the poem, she is the lover, the sister-girl, the advisor, the activist or friend, and she delivers each role adeptly. She has graced many stages over her impressive career alongside other of today's most profound and prolific poets and spoken word artists.

Pre-ordered autographed copies of her debut book are available at duwaup.com or in e-book format at amazon.com.

And Special Guests from Elementz

Elementz is Cincinnati’s premier Hip Hop Cultural Art Center. Founded in 2002 as a direct response to the killing of Timothy Thomas, a young black man, and the social unrest in Over-the-Rhine that followed, Elementz was created to give voice to young people in the urban core and to disrupt the status quo, encouraging positive change in the community through civic engagement.