Raúl Niño has an attitude of gratitude in his precious volume of poetry, “Still Life with Hands” published in 2022 by Jason Pickleman. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier taken October 19, 2024 at Northeastern Illinois University, with a modified background using Canva).
In this age of helicopter parents, no self-respecting Momager would trust a six-year-old to ride public transportation alone, but, in the 1960’s Mexico, that is how a six-year-old Raúl Niño learned to ride the bus: solo. Thankfully, his mother, a housekeeper, taught him such independence and responsibility that he was profoundly capable and self-reliant at an early age. The only child of a creative and resourceful single mother, Niño has grown into a poetic tour de force.
His writing is so strong that in 1993, he won Chicago’s Sister City competition and was selected to be the poetic ambassador to Mexico City, Mexico. Move forward thirty years, and his dynamic poetry is still being created with love, care and humility. Not only does Niño’s work reverberate throughout the poetry community of Chicago, but also the world. Niño will share his poetic journey with WZRD Chicago, 88.3 FM on Saturday, November 30th at 12:30 pm which streams live via the internet at https://wzrdchicago.org.
Good writers are good readers and Niño is no exception. In an October 19, 2024 interview with this journalist, he spoke of his passion for books that doesn’t end at the library where he works but follows him home, to his bed, where he sometimes sleeps with up to three books right by his side. Molly Zolnay, Niño’s wife shares his literary passion and theirs is truly a match well made. When asked about what he is currently reading, he responded:
“As for what I am currently reading, I am assuming that you mean ‘poetry’. Here are two current favorites; Etel Adnan, I have been reading her books Time and Shifting the Silence. The other poet is Charles Wright, I reviewed his 2020 collected works Oblivion Banjo. I personally believe him to be one of the great living poets in our time. As for influences, I would say Octavio Paz, Sandra Cisneros, Gwendolyn Brooks, Joseph Brodsky, Mark Strand, Elizabeth Bishop … there are many more, but that’s a good start.”
Niño has a variety of lofty literary influences and their inspiration can be seen in his affinity for the small, passing moments in life, which he recreated with such power it is though his vivid memories become reader’s own. His poetry has earned such respect and recognition that Gloria Dávila, a poetic peer whom he met when he was in Mexico, went on to read his entire book of poetry titled The Book of Mornings aloud on YouTube.
Niño has had three books of his own poetry published. Including two by March Abrazo Press: Breathing Light (March Abrazo Press, 1991) and The Book of Mornings (March Abrazo Press, 2007.) He has also been featured at the Green Mill’s famous Uptown Poetry Slam by Marc Kelly Smith. His most recent collection, Still Life with Hands was published by Jason Pickleman. Pickleman, was a gifted visual artist, poet, and a famous brand designer (for example, he designed the packaging for Skinny Pop Popcorn’s vibrant product). He also was a dear friend who so fervently believed in Niño’s work that Pickleman not only created the layout and design himself, but also published the book. Sadly, Jason Pickleman did not realize that publishing Niño’s book was destined to be his swan song, as Pickleman passed away just a year and a half later.
The book, of which there are but 100 copies made for this world, is a revelation. Each page vibrates with wit, tenderness, and clarity. Holding this little volume of poetry in one’s hands is to be entranced by a sacred text, at once intimate, luminous and transcendent. Written to honor his mother, Niño nimbly takes his reader on a voyage through his life, where love is his lifeboat.
Naturally shy and unassuming, Niño learned to keep a low profile early on, as his mother toiled to support him. They eventually immigrated to Northfield, where Niño attended some of the best schools in the nation. He has gone on to work at one of the best universities in the country, Northwestern University, where the library staff claims him as one of their own. It is right and proper that Northwestern University’s Library, then, is the only place in the world where one can find a copy of this precious volume of poetry.
To see Niño at work is to see a master of the art. The Beach Poets will feature Raúl Niño next summer on June 29th at 1:30 pm. The last word in his book, Still Life with Hands? Gratitude. It’s the reason for the season!
Susan Hernandez poses with her painting of “Fatima.” (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
True to the nature of artistry, Susan Hernandez, had a day that began with putting the finishing touches on a painting, packing it up for display just in time for her 12 noon show. Hernandez’s work was originally inspired by heartache as her oldest son was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, but has evolved into joy as he survived the ordeal (although it is on-going), and has since become the father of twins. One of the twins, Lennon, 8, was dancing her heart out at the opening which took place in a beautiful airy loft space next to the Rudolf Steiner Branch Library just South of Lincoln Square at 4251 N. Lincoln on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 12 noon until 8 pm. The event was graced by some of the most powerful artists alive in Chicago today.
Susan Hernandez and Chiron Kingfish, the emcee of Windy City Words, and curator of Hernandez’s art exhibit. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Curated by Chiron Kingfish, who is the founder of Windy City Words, the art show featured paintings by Hernandez of John Lennon, Tupac, and Chiam Topol, (from Fiddler on the Roof.) With such an eclectic array of artists painted, it is no wonder it attracted such artistic powerhouses as iconic visual artist John A. Kurtz, Vittorio Carli, poetry host for Tangible Books in Bridgeport (7:00 pm on the first Saturday of the month), Wes Heine, poetry host of the Gallery Cabaret in Bucktown (5:30 pm on the last Saturday of the month), and the (anonymous) artist responsible for the Albion House Gallery (which boasts over 4,000 followers on Instagram).
Nuala Murphy proudly displays her seamstress skills with blinged-out jeans. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Wearable Art created by Nuala Murphy. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Nuala Murphy displayed her jeans on the blow up doll that was the source of much amusement as Hernandez shared a story about it. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Nuala Murphy’s hand-embellished, sparkling denim outfits were also on display at the opening, and featured a blow up doll Hernandez claimed to have put in the bed of a priest. Hernandez’s hilarious stories, coupled with her sharply political poetry was on-point for the season all combined to create a memorable occasion for everyone who attended, including a few passers by who were lured in by the dazzling artistry combined with offers of free wine and food.
J.P. Hernandez, with his 8 year old twins and their mother, Rachel. Susan Hernandez’s son, J.P. is the reason Hernandez was led to art in the first place. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Artists and friends of Hernandez were in abundance at the event as they came for the art and enjoyed her company.
Hernandez’s smiling face greets patrons of the arts as they enter the building on October 5, 2024.
Artist Ernest Streeter regaled delighted art patrons with epic stories of skateboarding and high school daze.
Megan Santiago is an artist who uses her skills at flower arranging to bring added flair to Hernandez’s art show.
Megan Santiago, Susan Hernandez & Nuala Murphy. Here, Hernandez holds her painting of Chaim Topol, the actor known for his role in “Fiddler on the Roof.” (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Anonymous artist and Vittorio Carli enjoy laughter as artists and friends at Hernandez’s art show on October 5th, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Nuala Murphy and a friend enjoy looking at photos from the exhibit together. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The event culminated in Windy City Words, a poetry reading hosted by Chiron Kingfish, which featured Susan Hernandez, Nuala Murphy, Tim Anderson, Wes Heine, saxophonist Peter C. Bartels, and this narrator even performed. The next edition of Windy City Words is sure to delight and inspire on Saturday, November 16th at 7:00 pm, the place to be is 4251 N. Lincoln.
Susan Hernandez is a Renaissance woman who both paints and writes poetry. Here she is performing at Windy City Words, which wrapped up the art opening on October 5, 2024.
Peter C. Bartels, a busker at Lincoln Park Zoo, performed a prelude for Windy City Words on October 5, 2024.
Poet Tim Anderson and his wife patiently wait for the poetry reading portion of the event to begin.
Wes Heine is the author of “Busking Blues: Memoirs of a Chicago Street Musician and Squatter” and the host of the Gallery Cabaret at 2020 N. Oakley in Chicago which happens on the last Saturday of the month at 5:30 pm.
Neuela Murphy sports wearable art she created herself while reading poetry.
Wayne Kusy is one of the world-class artists in attendance at the event. He created toothpick ships, and a rock band entitled Wood Zeppelin – check it out at http://www.WoodZeppelin.com.
Susan Hernandez signs her painting titled “Purple Bearded Iris” for a paying patron of the arts on October 5, 2024.
With the flair of a linguistic troubadour, Flaco Navaja seemed born to be on-stage as he presented his one-man show titled “Evolution of a Sonero.” Navaja both wrote and performs in the show – but much more, he sings in it. He took the audience on a thrilling ride from his parents first date, through his own life as a troubled teenager all the way through becoming a father himself, all while making comparisons of his life to the composition of salsa. His pride in his Puerto Rican heritage, and being raised as the youngest in a family of five (his parents are still married 59 years later, he announced to thunderous applause) was evident through-out the performance which skillfully blended Puerto Rican culture with living in the Bronx in New York.
He adeptly takes the audience through the ups and downs of everyday life. Some moments hilarious, and others, intense, like the day he ruined his mother’s birthday by being caught smoking weed on his high school campus. He describes her as he sings,”5 feet tall, 80 pounds, all gangster.” Through his performance, the audience shares his fear of his diminutive firebrand of a mother, and empathizes with him as his Puerto-Rican proud, hard-working father’s blow provides a fitting crescendo to the dramatic scene.
Directed by Miranda Gonzalez, the show has a libretto arranged by Carlos Cuevas. It was produced in the NEIU Auditorium at 3701 W. Bryn Mawr by the Urban Theatre Company in conjunction with the National Puerto Rican Museum and was backed up by a powerful band called “The Razor Blades” that never missed a beat. The band was totally in sync with the performer as the pianist directed from his place on-stage. To find out more about Navaja and his work, go to the National Puerto Rican Museum’s website.
Cynthia Gallaher and Andrea Change chat after the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on April 16, 2024.
As the cork popped out of the bottle, a diverse group of happy humans gathered at the Honeycomb Network on April 11, 2024, and cheered with jubilation. The successful launch of Nikki Patin’s new book Working on Me is a testament to the visionary and transformational leadership that The Guild Literary Complex is experiencing through the one and only Andrea Change.
Executive Director Andrea Change brought a group representing the Guild’s diverse arts community out of the country to Bogota and Quibdó in Colombia with financial support from The Poetry Foundation. In order to do this, Change initially worked with Christian Vasquez, a graduate student from Northwestern University, and cultivated a relationship with Velia Vidal an artist in El Chocó, Columbia.
According to Founding Executive Director Michael Warr, (whose archives provided documentation), in 1993-1994, the Guild Literary Complex did an international exchange program with artists from the Goethe Institute in Berlin, Germany. According to Change, a group of poets representing the Guild Literary Complex also traveled to Norway when the Guild had former Executive Director John Rich at the helm. Nonetheless, through her work, Change is creating a legacy that sets the foundation for other black women in leadership roles, because never before has the Guild Literary Complex gone out of the country to work with people who have had such similar ancestral roots as they do in Quibdó, a city which is located in an isolated region of Columbia known as El Chocó. Change spoke in a March 9, 2024 interview with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM;
“One of the reasons we were asked to come down there was because Quibdó is an underrepresented community. It’s mostly Afro-Latin, so instead of mostly white-facing Latin folks, this is the black-facing or people of color of Latin descent in that community. They really wanted us to bring folks who look like them to this community. So, all of the writers who are going are of Latin descent. They have brown skin, they have curly hair like me. It will extend the Guild’s mission to another part of the world, but it is still the Guild’s mission to be with underrepresented marginalized groups, and so, this is a city, but it is a small city, and it is a small community. But to be there, and be representing Spanish culture to people who look like us, or who look like me, is a privilege.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Change has been active in the Chicago literary scene, specifically the poetry scene for over 30 years. She knows the sacrifice involved with being a single mother, and the hardships of being the lone head of household in the city. Change described her process to becoming executive director of the Guild Literary Complex where she began as a poet and audience member, then was a volunteer, and eventually, served as an officer on the board of the Guild Literary Complex. The Guild Complex initially began as a brick-and-mortar bookstore under the leadership of Founding Executive Director Michael Warr.
Founding Executive Director of the Guild Literary Complex, Michael Warr in Clarion Alley, San Francisco. (Photo by Patricia Zamora, used with permission.)
According to Warr, the Guild Complex began as a bookstore, and had a reputation for being a gathering place for artistic souls that long encouraged cross-cultural collaboration. Warr is a former BBC reporter, published poet of WE ARE ALL THE BLACK BOY (1991 ), and Armageddon of Funk (2011), and both published by Tia Chucha Press and editedOf Poetry & Protest: From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin, published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2016. While Warr has experience running the Guild Literary Complex as an executive director, talent agent, performance artist and poet Naiya Davis (aka Clou9aiya), whose Ted Talk Ouch…Did You Really Mean That? drives home the impact of microaggressions, is like Change, a black woman in leadership. During a June 29, 2024, interview with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM, Davis said:
“When some people find out I am a leader, they look at me funny.”
Naiya Davis is a talent agent, spoken word artist, and poet. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
According to a recent Pew Research report, women are behind men in holding leadership positions. However, if Change has had this issue, it doesn’t show. As Mary Hawley, who was part of the Colombia expedition with the Guild Literary Complex and is also a Palabra Pura volunteer, stated “Andrea is humble.” Professor of English Literature at City Colleges of Chicago, Lynn Fitzgerald discussed Change’s leadership at the Guild Literary Complex during a July 6, 2024, WZRD interview:
“Andrea Change has been an instrumental cornerstone in the city of Chicago…she is also a woman of color, she is again, a woman! Women have to make their way in this world of art… Andrea has been instrumental in getting people out in the public eye and getting it known that these people have a voice, which is excellent…She takes more of a behind-the-scenes role, but I don’t think the Guild would be the Guild without her! She is so necessary, she is intuitive, and understands people very very well.”
Change’s acute understanding of marginalized people came through during a March 9, 2024, interview when Change was at WZRD, a week before her historic leadership role in taking the Guild Literary Complex and its representatives on their international odyssey. She described the Guild Literary Complex, which is historically a grassroots organization known for collaborating with other community groups on social and restorative justice issues in the city of Chicago in this way:
The Guild Literary Complex’s Executive Director, Andrea Change, networking after Patricia Smith was honored with the Fuller Award from the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame at the Poetry Foundation on July 11, 2024.
“Grassroots is a nice stamp, but this year we just celebrated our 35th anniversary…grassroots just refers to how we operate in the sense that we like to stay in touch with the community, which is challenging, I’ll say because Chicago is a really big city!”
Now, with Change, who is a gifted poet in her own right, as the Executive Director and support from the Poetry Foundation, the Guild is boldly stepping outside of location-specific arts programming to embrace national and international partnerships. The Guild provides arts and advocacy programming for marginalized voices, specifically black and brown people, including persons with disabilities, those who are incarcerated, and those identifying as LBGTQIA+. Terry Lonaric, poet, author, and journalist said,
“I like the way the Guild partners with community organizations to raise issues of social justice. When the arts become a part of community life, they reach their true potential.”
As Executive Director of the Guild Literary Complex, Andrea Change is helping diverse people reach their potential while creating pioneering and innovative forms of art. Historically, the Guild Literary Complex initiated the National Poetry Video Festival. It also was recognized by the 2022 New City “Lit 50” Awards under the leadership of Andrea Change. It has sponsored poets like Aviya Kushner, author of Wolf Lamb Bomb whose work was hailed as “noteworthy” by the New York Times in 2021. Change had been a long-time supporter of the Guild Literary Complex when she suddenly found herself cast into the role of volunteer at an event, according to Warr (who now lives in San Francisco) as he recalled in a podcast created from a virtual radio broadcast on May 5, 2024 with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM.
Founding Executive Director of the Guild Literary Complex, Michael Warr discussed the history of the Guild Literary Complex and how Andrea Change first became involved with the 501-3C not-for-profit organization founded in 1989.
Susana Sandoval remembers when Andrea Change took the first step in her evolution from poet and audience member to volunteer. Susana, who, for the last seven years has been a human rights commissioner within the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, is a journalist by training and was employed by the Guild Literary Complex as one of its two staff members, (along with Jen Abrams) under the leadership of Michael Warr in the mid-nineties.
In a virtual interview on July 6, 2024 from Ecuador, she explained that the Guild Literary Complex was a meeting place not only for academics, but for young lovers. She pointed out how she met Kahil El’Zabar, her former husband, and the father of her children at Guild Literary Complex. She also noted that the Lansanas, (Quraysh Ali Lansana and his wife, the poet and community builder Emily Hooper Lansana) met at the Guild as well. The Guild Literary Complex by all accounts was a safe place where artists and academics of any cultural background could go and feel accepted. Andrea Change, a single mother of Phillip, (who is now grown and living with his fiancé in St. Louis) was among them.
“But I don’t look my age!” laughs Change, “…This was one of those things where, and I tell this to people all of the time. ‘I am the executive director, but I like to say that I am sort of an accidental tourist. The work that I have done in the past was laying the foundation for the work that I do now.’”
The Guild Literary Complex is perhaps most well known in the literary community for their annual Brooks Day event honoring renowned poet Gwendolyn Brooks. In 1950, Brooks became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize. In a fitting example of symmetry, Change noted how poet Tyehimba Jess, still claims the Brooks prize in his biography, although like Brooks, he has gone on to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2016 book Olio.
According to Change, this year the Guild will break from their usual tradition of celebrating Gwendolyn Brooks on June 7th, which is her birthday, instead celebrating Brooksday in October, 2024. The literary tradition of Brooksday is well documented, for example in this article by the Visualist.
Validating the Guild Literary Complex and their decision to present their annual Brooksday event in October, Professor Fitzgerald noted,
“October is Artists’ Month, and I remember working on Chicago Calling with Dan Godston and number of other people, we would have artists who were Zoomed in – this was before Zoom became some hot topic word – and we were connected on a stream in a Cafe or a Bar from other parts pf the world. So all of October was dedicated to artists. Galleries were just breaking apart at the seams with events! I don’t know if the Guild will resurrect some of that – they probably can because they have such international interactions with people. It is quite possible that they will. October will be a good month for the Gwendolyn Brooks event.”
The Guild Literary Complex embraces the non-binary community through its Press Room Transvengence series, hosted by trans artist Joss Barton. Barton explained during an interview with WZRD on April 30, 2024 how her disco-drag performance at a social justice fair hosted by Exhibit B led to her eventually being recruited by Change to host the series:
Joss Barton dreams of writing a nature collection, based on her experiences growing up in rural Missouri. Here, Joss is on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University, home of WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
“I did this piece…performing disco-drag numbers in between spoken word for the Social Justice Fair – so when Andrea, the Executive Director of the Guild Literary Complex – was in the audience and she saw me do that body of work, she really really enjoyed it! She introduced herself to me after the show, and kind of just pitched the idea of doing something for trans writers with the Guild, and wanted to see if I had any ideas. So, I said ‘Let me think about it.’ So I pitched her the idea of Transvengence.” Barton continued, “Our art can be vengeance. You can take away our rights, but you can’t take away our stories.”
She flashed her dark eyes, flipped her hair, and stood strong in her identity as a trans woman, artist, and storyteller.
Joss Barton prepares to leave WZRD after her interview in April. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Andrea Change introduces Transvengence featuring the work of Joss Barton, Jack, and Lynzo Heartthrob on June 18, 2024. (Photograph and videography by C. Schandelmeier)
On June 16, 2024, Transvengence featured Joss Barton (far left), Jack (on the mic), and Lynzo Heartthrob in an honest, candid conversation after the performance. The show is supported by the Guild Literary Complex Press Room Series. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Change worked with Lansana to promote his 2024 book, Killing the Negative: Poetic Interventions, which he created with artist Joel Daniel Phillips. She explained how Phillips reached out to Lansana after he had discovered the depression-era film negatives of people archived at the Library of Congress with a single hole punched in each that was a destructive act known as “killing the negative” which served as the inspiration for the book. Such innovation through the lens of diversity is not new to Change. In the same interview, Change commented:
“Because of the nature of what we’ve done, we’ve had a strong connection to the poetry community, the African-American community, and other groups. Interestingly enough, we have always had a person of color either in a leadership role or on our board. We have always had someone who represented the LGBTQ community on our board, and someone of Latin descent on our board. It’s been a part of who we are. It is strange when I hear about people’s other boards…for me, it was always the norm to have a culturally diverse group of people who I have worked with.”
The Puerto Rican flag sculptures along Paseo Boricua in Humboldt Park signals Palabra Pura poets and audience members that their destination of La Bruquena. 2726 W Division St, Chicago, IL is near. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, July 17, 2024).
Change brought transformation to the Guild Literary Complex through the Guild’s recent trip to Bogota and Quibdó, Colombia where they worked with MoTeTe. Change and other members of the Guild Literary Complex such as Mary Hawley (Palabra Pura volunteer and translator) and Hawley’s husband, poet Mike Puican (former board president for the Guild Literary Complex) traveled with a delegation of Spanish speaking black and brown writers (thanks to a grant provided by the Poetry Foundation) in order to interact with their South American artistic peers.
Poet Elizabeth Marino, author of Debris and poet Shontay Luna author of Reflections of a Project Girl, both participated in the One Poet: One Poem event held July 17. 2024 by the Guild Literary Complex’s Palabra Pura series hosted by Gregorio Gomez at a Bruquena. 2726 W Division St, Chicago, IL. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The Guild Literary Complex representatives did this all while writing, learning, and exploring an environment which echoed their own diversity and linguistic roots. The group of American artists, led by Change, included Kianny N. Antigua and Luis Tubens among others. Followed by a documentary crew, this was the first international experience for The Guild Literary Complex. The release of the documentary based on this epic journey is slated for October, 2024.
Mary Hawley is a translator and long-time Palabra Pura volunteer for the Guild Literary Complex. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poet Mary Hawley is the translator and long-time volunteer of the Guild Literary Complex’s Palabra Pura series who joined the Guild Literary Complex on their epic adventure to Colombia. Hawley spoke to WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM in an April 27, 2024 interview about the once-in-a-lifetime experience after the journey. She explained how , Vásquez (originally from Colombia) became involved with The Guild Literary Complex, and then introduced Vidal to the organization when she participated in a virtual reading for Palabra Pura during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Because of this professional association through the spoken word, the group went to an annual literary festival in a region of Colombia called El Choco’. The festival, which has officially been in existence for 7 years, is known as FLECHO (so-called because of its initials) and was created thanks to the leadership of Velia Vidal. As Hawley explained,
“When they were organizing this year’s festival, Andrea Change, who is the Executive Director of the Guild Complex, was able to get grant money to send an international delegation of poets from Chicago and the US to this literary festival in El Choco’ with a particular focus on the African diaspora. So our group included Kianny Antigua, who is a poet, novelist, and translator from the Dominican Republic. She teaches at Dartmouth. Luis Tubens otherwise known as ‘Loco Lu’ from Puerto Rico who is here from Logan Square and a few other participants who went with us. We were there for a week.”
James Stewart III is the author of “Defiant Acts” being published by Acre Books out of the University of Cincinnati in 2025. He is also the president of the board of directors at the Guild Literary Complex, and co-founded Exhibit B.
James Stewart III, the President of the Board at The Guild spoke to WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM on July 20, 2024 about Exhibit B, the literary variety show he co-founded. He explained how they had reached out to Andrea Change for support through the Guild Literary Complex. Change welcomed Exhibit B and their innovative ideas (Exhibit B members came together as recent graduates of the Master of Fine Arts program at the School of the Art Institute). He noted that while the Guild pays a hundred dollars per gig at the most, it is more than the average because most people seem to think that artists can live off nothing. Change knows better than this.
True to her name, Change is concerned about preparing the next generation of leadership to take over the Guild Literary Complex, which continues to develop deep meaningful connections within a historically marginalized community. The fact that Change has had health issues increases the urgency of this work. Change is at the cutting edge of creating a difference in the world for all people. If only the rest of the world could pivot into this type of change. To find out more about the Guild Literary Complex go to: GuildComplex.org.
Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref and Emily Maciel are best friends who met in their high school poetry club. They also co-host a spoken word open mic in Wicker Park.
To connect with more like-minded people who support the role of literary women leaders like Andrea Change, visit the Facebook page:
Andrea Change reaches across the aisle in conversation with David Gecic, publisher of Puddin’head Press at the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 18, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Marc Kelly Smith is the originator of the Poetry Slam, an art form that encompasses the globe. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, May 25, 2024).
The Uptown Poetry Cabaret from the Green Mill Tavern is making its way to Space at 1245 Chicago, in Evanston, IL. Marc Smith hosted his second poetry reading there on May 26, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Space is the place for the Uptown Poetry Cabaret
Marc Kelly Smith filmed on location at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM on May 25, 2024. (Video by C. Schandelmeier)
Envision a world where conflict is resolved through poetry, and whose creator celebrates what makes people come alive. This is the reality of life for Marc Kelly Smith (say his name, and he adds “So What?”) who is the founder and host of the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill Tavern. Hosted by Smith, it is the longest running show in the history of Chicago, and, while it was stopped during the COVID-19 lockdown, it is back up and running like a clock, on the second Sunday of each month. The doors open at 2:00 pm and the show begins at 3:00 pm. It is an incredibly popular event with standing room only. Many well-known spoken word artists from Chicago point to the beginning of their careers as happening at the Green Mill tavern under the watchful eye of Smith.
Fabrice Garcia-Carpintero, filmed this performance of Marc Smith while he was in Paris, France, in May, 2024. (YouTube Video used with permission).
While he has officially become a knight, “a chevalier” in France, where the poetry slam caught on with great fervor, and has traveled not just nationally, but internationally in the name of the poetry slam which he invented, Smith still identifies himself as a blue collar, working class guy who is humble and shy.
“I am an average student from the Southeast side of Chicago…I found my destiny. I never knew that I was going to be on the stage. The universe, if you open your eyes and heart will steer you in the right direction, so, I got steered in the right direction…and then I started writing love letters to Maria Elaina Rosa in high school. Then, it just kept going! I met my wife, Sandy at Western Illinois University and she loved poetry, so I started writing it – and kept on doing it ever since…”
Marc Smith comes alive when he is performing, as does the crowd who gets caught up in his exuberant energy. “I am a very good performer because I have been doing it for over 40 years.” He says with a sparkle of joy in his eyes. He continued,
“It’s kind of ironic that what the universities criticized in the late ‘80s and early 90’s is now taught. We just had a visiting Italian poet, Eleonora Fisko, from the University of Chicago, and her dissertation is on the poetry slam… I am a little leery of the institutionalization of the slam, and I don’t want it to turn into some academic exercise. It is more of a social activist thing than it is a university thing. But everything goes into the university because it is a study of culture.”
The academics who once found his work unappealing are now using the slam in textbooks. Smith’s work is being used the basis for doctoral dissertations for people such as Eleonora Fisko from Italy. She is the new coordinator of the Students Slam Championship, and is pursuing a PhD from both the University of L’Aquila and Lausanne (Switzerland). One academic, Terrance Jacobus, (1949-2023) had been an adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University, as well as a DJ for WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM in its punk rock days, helped inspire the form which evolved into the slam through what he called “bouts.” Smith recalled Jacobus’ work:
Terry Jacobus,he had been at WZRD, he was more in the punk scene which was big at that time. He was hanging out with Jerome Sala and a few more, I forget all their names but at first, he was kind of adversarial. We were young and bumping heads. He had a classic poem like “The Raven” he changed into his own style – Terry – and – the punk scene had started a competition, and we were rivals. They assumed it was this goofy competition that made things so popular at the Green Mill. But it wasn’t! It was the performance aspect! In fact, now, I don’t even do a serious competition at the show. There is technique to performance, and that is what made things so strong. The competition that we started at the Green Mill – it was just the last set of the show, and I kept doing it because it is like a theatrical device. It focuses everyone’s attention. It is a downfall because – no one wants the arrogance that they see when everyone is trying to write and perform just to get the money in the pot. That is something I regret about the slam….I just started doing a podcast with the original history of it. Like what Wendell Barry said “poetry is not to glorify the poet, it is to celebrate the community around the poet.’ That is one of the principles I adopted in forming the slams over the years.”
Emily Calvo, a well-known poet and artist, worked with Smith to create the idea of doing performances in two languages, bringing together people across the linguistic divide, through the Speak’Easy Ensemble which creates the One Poetic Voice performance interpretation. “So many people say that they discovered the something that had been missing from their lives with poetry through my work at the Green Mill.” He said.
When asked about his legacy, he responds that his hope is that great artists will be able to point to his work as the place where it all began because, “I consider performance sacred. That is what the slam is, combining the art of poetry with the art of performing. It has changed people’s lives, truly, it has set them on a direction…there are hundreds of stories about people who came together and created poetry, but it became a saving time for me. It is an art form that makes people come alive!” In this way, the poetry slam helps people realize their hopes for a better world, and better lives. May the rest of the world catch up sometime soon.
Protestors march to the 19th (Near North) Chicago Police Department headquarters on May 19, 2024, carrying flags, and signs while chanting slogans. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The Poetry of Protest: Poets for Palestine
Linda Abdullah defines “genocide” to an empathetic audience May 11, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
Sahar Mustafah was the emcee for “Poets for Palestine” sponsored by Exhibit B and the Guild Literary Complex. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Alex Wells Shapiro signs copies of his book for eager audience members. Find out more about Shapiro at https://www.alexwellsshapiro.com/about (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
IS Jones, poet, gave a compelling reading at the event. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Lynn Fitzgerald enjoys a lively post performance conversation with poet/performer Oliver Khan, who is a lawyer by day and lives in Lombard with his family. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The audience at the event was captivated by the poetry performers. While poet Amina Kayani (bottom, center) patiently awaits her turn. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Volunteers took good care of thirsty audience members during the brief intermission. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poet Amina Kayani (far right) shares information with eager audience members at Co-Prosperity located on S. Morgan Street in Chicago. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Best friends Emily and Alanis met in high school while performing poetry. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Delighted audience members enjoyed refreshments during the brief intermission. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poets Alex Wells Shapiro and Oliver Khan enjoy the breakl (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poets for Palestine performers, IS Jones, Sahar Mustafah, Oliver Khan, Alex Shapiro, Linda Abdullah, and Amina Kayani pose for a group shot after their historic performance on May 11, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Andrea Change, Executive Director of the Guild Complex smiles after the conclusion of the successful event. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Protests, teach-ins, encampments and poetry readings, the people of Chicago – and the world – are doing everything they can to create change for Gaza. There is little that is more complex or harrowing than what is happening between Israel and Palestine right now, and poetry is a concise means to convey complex emotions. On Saturday, May 11th, at Co-Prosperity, 3219 S. Morgan, there was a poetry reading hosted by Exhibit B and the Guild Literary Complex titled Poets for Palestine which featured several heavy hitters in the world of poetry, Linda Abdullah, Oliver Khan, Safar Mustafah, Amina Kayani, Alex Wells Shapiro and IS Jones. All of these world-class poets contributed poetry performances with the goal of helping the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund provide essential aid to the war-torn region. The poets were grateful that college students (beginning with those at Columbia University in New York, and ending with the encampment at DePaul University here in Chicago) have stood up and made themselves heard across the world for the cause of peace in Palestine.
This video is a very small excerpt from the “Poets for Palestine” event hosted by the Guild Complex, featuring Attorney Oliver Khan’s poem Sean Casten Calculus and Joe Biden’s number (302) 404-0880 to text regarding the current genocide in Palestine examples include: demands for a cease fire now and the need to allow aid to Gaza, among others. The music is by Adam Gottlieb and One Love, who shares the ideals of Poets for Palestine. (Original video and audio shot by C. Schandelmeier. This video also contains stock footage from Pixabay, as edited by C. Schandelmeier for Poetry in Chicago.)
Protests and Encampments
Merawi Gerima with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression can be found on Instagram @caarprnow or @gerima_gang, and elicits a call response from the youngest member of the protest in front of the 19th District of the Chicago Police Department on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Palestinian Flags fly against the Chicago sky on Sunday, May 19, as protesters hold a sign saying “What did the Chlidren Do to Deserve This?” (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Free Gaza is one of the many signs on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston on April 30th, 2024.
Protesters March to the 19th District on the Near North side of the Chicago Police Department on Sunday, May 19th, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Protesters young and old march to the Near North side Chicago Police District offices carrying signs as the John Hancock building and the famous Chicago skyline towers in the background. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
During a protest for Palestine that was held on Sunday, May 19th, Anatasia Colon, a cousin of a DePaul University student who participated in the encampment spoke about the experience, “It was 5:34 in the morning when we got word that the police were coming to disperse the camp. They didn’t wake us, we woke ourselves up, and got out of there on our own.” As she spoke, representatives from a number of Chicago-based organizations including Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Cultural workers for Palestine stood in peaceful protest on the premises of the 19th District Near North Chicago Police Department.
Poetry for Palestine is inspired Internationally
The issue of the Isreali-Palestine conflict has had international impact. Halima Zakhir was raised in America, but has made the choice to raise her own family in India. Her poem is pictured here from her Instagram account with permission. In response to using her poem this article, she wrote, “I do not have enough words for this genocide… We have waited so long for this tragedy to catch up with the rest of the world.It has certainly taken too many lives and too long of a time to bring notice, but nevertheless, every revolution starts somewhere.”
Zakhir continued, “Hopefully, through the raw emotion of poetry, more people are made aware of the cause. What I wish for is my poetry, my art to stoke a passion in the outside world that will call for supreme justice. Because what no man can achieve through sheer talk, anyone can achieve anything through the force of art, be it poetry or paint or photography.”
Poet, artist and activist Alexis Judeh is a native Chicagoan, whose family is from both Palestine and Mexico. Pictured here in the Sharon Hahs Garden outside of the Ronald Williams Library at Northeastern Illinois University on May 21, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
A Chicago poet and activist, Alexis Judeh is half Palestinian and half Mexican. She was raised in large part by her Palestinian Grandfather, a larger than life character who brought a love of Palestine to America with him, and shared that love with his grandchildren. While he has passed on, Judeh remembers him fondly, and honors his memory through the art she creates with her sister, Yolanda, who helped her write the following poem for the International Day of Peace at CodePink Gallery.
Palestinian/Mexican artist Alexis Judeh created this artwork for a September 21, 2023 International Day of Peace exhibit for Code Pink. To find out more about this event, visit https://www.codepink.org/peace_gallery
(used with permission by the artist, Alexis Judeh).
Gladiators in Keffiyehs From Monterrey and Betunia soil Birthed children of die-aspra Madre from Palestine We the products of colonial uprooting Our seas polluted with killing machines The dead sea is a burial ground Identities bruised by displacement Pain engraved in our blood cells There are no welcome mats at U.S. doors
Bandannas and Keffiyeh wrapped around our face Mexican and Palestinian flags wrapped around our chest Living flesh with stories inherited through blood Lineages of resistance that slip through tongue
So we protest Command the capital to listen We’re here to stop U.S. dollars from blowing our home towns to dust Sick of seeing things from a distance Rusted metal standing on sacred ground Covering gold and open sky domes We’re just traveling prisoners Exiled from the fruit of our labors We hear the cries of our ancestors calling So we answer We are gladiators in Keffiyeahs We’re here to dance dabka on the throats of our oppressors Zapateado on their colonial graves
Empires have expiration dates too We are protectors like David Stone in hand And even then They want us to build bridges Build bridges? Nahhhh we tearing down walls From Palestine to Mexico border walls have got to go
We look this country in the eyes and America Medusa’s us to stone This is what happens when you tell a murderous Nation that Their 50 states are 50 snakes Our voices submerged in cement Our mouths made rock When all you are limestone You have no choice but to watch wreckage Through frozen pupils You don’t know how hard it is to watch When soil you stand on supplies the ammo for our for our country’s annihilation
Millions of billions of dollars And rubble turns into oblivion 400 Palestinian towns erased Our catastrophic displacement Maps redrawn in their favor And countless bloodshed later Still liberation seems so far How many intifadas will it take? Children branded from rubber bullets That read Pennsylvania Their lifeless bodies on grounds our ancestors cultivated Olive trees waters with our own blood Forced removal Suffocating living cargo
There have been demands for disinvestment and plans for peace, but with little food and constant bombardment, the remaining people of Palestine are barely surviving. Macklemore is one rapper to address the issue in his new song Hinds Hall. He also read a poem for Gaza at a recent concert, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Poets are stepping up and showing out to make the voiceless people of Palestine be known. For example, Gregorio Gomez, who has no biological connection to Palestine, composed a poem titled Words of Defiance which he performed in March at Tangible Books, hosted by Vittorio Carli. One does not need to be Palestinian to understand the very real human toll of what is happening in Gaza.
Poet Gregorio Gomez performs Words of Defiance at Tangible Books in Bridgeport, March 2, 2024. Video shot by TJ Jendres of TJ’s Laboratory of Rock, Roots, & Offshoots.
To find out more directly from the Palestinans themselves, look for Judeh’s friend, Fadel in Gaza. He keeps the world updated through his Instagram account at fadelmoghrabi. Meanwhile, in Chicago and throughout the world poets are working to enlighten curious minds about what is happening in Palestine. Look for Alexis Judeh’s next poetry reading with the Beach Poets on June 16th at 1:30 pm, at Loyola Beach or look for the Poetry to Free Gaza Facebook fan page.
Alexis Judeh is a graduate of DePaul University. A former teacher, she is currently a counselor in a homeless shelter, while she pursues her poetry, art and activism on behalf of Palestine. She is pictured here on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University, where she had arrived for an interview with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Alexis Judeh admires the Sharon Hahs Garden outside of the Ronald Williams Libarary on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University, where she had arrived for an interview with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Alexis Judeah was excited to see the WZRD for Palestine poster up outside of the radio station on May 21, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Free Gaza is one of the many signs on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston on April 30th, 2024.
Poets for Palestine
Linda Abdullah defines “genocide” to an empathetic audience May 11, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
Sahar Mustafah was the emcee for “Poets for Palestine” sponsored by Exhibit B and the Guild Literary Complex. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Alex Wells Shapiro signs copies of his book for eager audience members. Find out more about Shapiro at https://www.alexwellsshapiro.com/about (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
IS Jones, poet, gave a compelling reading at the event. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Lynn Fitzgerald enjoys a lively post performance conversation with poet/performer Oliver Khan, who is a lawyer by day and lives in Lombard with his family. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The audience at the event was captivated by the poetry performers. While poet Amina Kayani (bottom, center) patiently awaits her turn. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Volunteers took good care of thirsty audience members during the brief intermission. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poet Amina Kayani (far right) shares information with eager audience members at Co-Prosperity located on S. Morgan Street in Chicago. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Best friends Emily and Alanis met in high school while performing poetry. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Delighted audience members enjoyed refreshments during the brief intermission. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poets Alex Wells Shapiro and Oliver Khan enjoy the breakl (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Poets for Palestine performers, IS Jones, Sahar Mustafah, Oliver Khan, Alex Shapiro, Linda Abdullah, and Amina Kayani pose for a group shot after their historic performance on May 11, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Andrea Change, Executive Director of the Guild Complex smiles after the conclusion of the successful event. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Protests, teach-ins, encampments and poetry readings, the people of Chicago – and the world – are doing everything they can to create change for Gaza. There is little that is more complex or harrowing than what is happening between Israel and Palestine right now, and poetry is a concise means to convey complex emotions. On Saturday, May 11th, at Co-Prosperity, 3219 S. Morgan, there was a poetry reading hosted by Exhibit B and the Guild Literary Complex titled Poets for Palestine which featured four heavy hitters in the world of poetry, Linda Abdullah, Oliver Khan, Safar Mustafah, Amina Kayani, Alex Wells Shapiro and IS Jones. All of these world-class poets contributed poetry performances with the goal of helping the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund provide essential aid to the war-torn region. The poets were grateful that college students (beginning with those at Columbia University in New York, and ending with the encampment at DePaul University here in Chicago) have stood up and made themselves heard across the world for the cause of peace in Palestine.
Protests and Encampments
Merawi Gerima with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression can be found on Instagram @caarprnow or @gerima_gang, and elicits a call response from the youngest member of the protest in front of the 19th District of the Chicago Police Department on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Palestinian Flags fly against the Chicago sky on Sunday, May 19, as protesters hold a sign saying “What did the Chlidren Do to Deserve This?” (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Free Gaza is one of the many signs on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston on April 30th, 2024.
Protesters March to the 19th District on the Near North side of the Chicago Police Department on Sunday, May 19th, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Protesters young and old march to the Near North side Chicago Police District offices carrying signs as the John Hancock building and the famous Chicago skyline towers in the background. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
During a protest for Palestine that was held on Sunday, May 19th, Anatasia Colon, a DePaul University student spoke about the encampment, “It was 5:34 in the morning when we got word that the police were coming to disperse the camp. They didn’t wake us, we woke ourselves up, and got out of there on our own.” As she spoke, representatives from a number of Chicago-based organizations including Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Cultural workers for Palestine stood in peaceful protest on the premises of the 19th District Near North Chicago Police Department.
Poetry for Palestine is inspired Internationally
The issue of the Isreali-Palestine conflict has had international impact. Halima Zakhir was raised in America, but has made the choice to raise her own family in India. Her poem is pictured here from her Instagram account with permission. She wrote, “I do not have enough words for this genocide… We have waited so long for this tragedy to catch up with the rest of the world.It has certainly taken too many lives and too long of a time to bring notice, but nevertheless, every revolution starts somewhere.”
Zakhir continued, “Hopefully, through the raw emotion of poetry, more people are made aware of the cause. What I wish for is my poetry, my art to stoke a passion in the outside world that will call for supreme justice. Because what no man can achieve through sheer talk, anyone can achieve anything through the force of art, be it poetry or paint or photography.”
Poet, artist and activist Alexis Judeh is a native Chicagoan, whose family is from both Palestine and Mexico. Pictured here in the Sharon Hahs Garden outside of the Ronald Williams Library at Northeastern Illinois University on May 21, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
A Chicago poet and activist, Alexis Judeh is half Palestinian and half Mexican. She was raised in large part by her Palestinian Grandfather, a larger than life character who brought a love of Palestine to America with him, and shared that love with his grandchildren. While he has passed on, Juneh remembers him fondly, and honors his memory through the art she creates with her sister, Yolanda, who helped her write the following poem.
Palestinian/Mexican artist Alexis Judeh created this artwork for a September 21, 2023 International Day of Peace exhibit for Code Pink. To find out more about this event, visit https://www.codepink.org/peace_gallery
(used with permission by the artist, Alexis Judeh).
Gladiators in Keffiyehs From Monterrey and Betunia soil Birthed children of die-aspra Madre from Palestine We the products of colonial uprooting Our seas polluted with killing machines The dead sea is a burial ground Identities bruised by displacement Pain engraved in our blood cells There are no welcome mats at U.S. doors
Bandannas and Keffiyeh wrapped around our face Mexican and Palestinian flags wrapped around our chest Living flesh with stories inherited through blood Lineages of resistance that slip through tongue
So we protest Command the capital to listen We’re here to stop U.S. dollars from blowing our home towns to dust Sick of seeing things from a distance Rusted metal standing on sacred ground Covering gold and open sky domes We’re just traveling prisoners Exiled from the fruit of our labors We hear the cries of our ancestors calling So we answer We are gladiators in Keffiyeahs We’re here to dance dabka on the throats of our oppressors Zapateado on their colonial graves
Empires have expiration dates too We are protectors like David Stone in hand And even then They want us to build bridges Build bridges? Nahhhh we tearing down walls From Palestine to Mexico border walls have got to go
We look this country in the eyes and America Medusa’s us to stone This is what happens when you tell a murderous Nation that Their 50 states are 50 snakes Our voices submerged in cement Our mouths made rock When all you are limestone You have no choice but to watch wreckage Through frozen pupils You don’t know how hard it is to watch When soil you stand on supplies the ammo for our for our country’s annihilation
Millions of billions of dollars And rubble turns into oblivion 400 Palestinian towns erased Our catastrophic displacement Maps redrawn in their favor And countless bloodshed later Still liberation seems so far How many intifadas will it take? Children branded from rubber bullets That read Pennsylvania Their lifeless bodies on grounds our ancestors cultivated Olive trees waters with our own blood Forced removal Suffocating living cargo
We hear the cries of our ancestors calling So we answer We are gladiators in Keffiyehs Our loyalty lies with unseen soil Keepers of untasted fruit We bare the courage of our ancestors Carry it on our skin We know we are more than your oppression, Checkpoints and walls We exist outside of your lens We are the culture you desire If not, you wouldn’t have stolen it But there are things apartheid cannot eradicate We are living proof.
There have been demands for disinvestment and plans for peace, but with little food and constant bombardment, the remaining people of Palestine are barely surviving. Macklemore is one rapper to address the issue in his new song Hinds Hall. He also read a poem for Gaza at a recent concert, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Poets are stepping up and showing out to make the voiceless people of Palestine be known. For example, Gregorio Gomez, who has no biological connection to Palestine, composed a poem titled Words of Defiance which he performed in March at Tangible Books, hosted by Vittorio Carli. One does not need to be Palestinian to understand the very real human toll of what is happening in Gaza.
Poet Gregorio Gomez performs Words of Defiance at Tangible Books in Bridgeport, March 2, 2024. Shot by TJ
To find out more directly from the Palestinans themselves, look for Judeh’s friend, Fadel in Gaza. He keeps the world updated through his Instagram account at fadelmoghrabi. Meanwhile, in Chicago and throughout the world poets are working to enlighten curious minds about what is happening in Palestine. Look for Alexis Judeh’s next poetry reading with the Beach Poets on June 16th at 1:30 pm, at Loyola Beach, or look for Poetry to Free Gaza’s Facebook Fan Page.
Alexis Judeh is a graduate of DePaul University. A former teacher, she is currently a counselor in a homeless shelter, while she pursues her poetry, art and activism on behalf of Palestine. She is pictured here on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University, where she had arrived for an interview with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Alexis Judeh admires the Sharon Hahs Garden outside of the Ronald Williams Libarary on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University, where she had arrived for an interview with WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Alexis Judeah was excited to see the WZRD for Palestine poster up outside of the radio station on May 21, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Charli Christine Marker and Criage Lynette Althage
Two trans women with one big problem to solve while poet and filmmaker Charli Christine Marker’s approach is very different from Criage Lynette Althage’s, who is a university librarian. They both dream of the same result.
Captivated by those who represented extremes Chicago-based poet and filmmaker Charli Christine Marker admitted one of her first sheroes was a plus-size model from the 2000 Guinness World Book of Records, Teighlor, who weighed in at 718 pounds, made her the world’s heaviest supermodel. Now, Marker is a film director who is using her own size to create trans joy. This joy is a wonder to behold as a friendship blossomed between Criage Althage and Charli Marker during an interview at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM where they unpacked the heavy topic of transphobia. Althage, a reference librarian for professorial research at the Ronald Williams Library at Northeastern Illinois University has a more serious perspective that supports her identity as a trans woman living in Englewood, one of the most violent and underfunded neighborhoods in Chicago.
Charli Christine Marker and Criage Lynnette Althege say farewell to Mary Hawley poet and volunteer for Palabra Pura, the bilingual reading series of the Guild Literary Complex during their time at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Criage Lynette Althage stops to smell the lilacs blooming on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University, where she has worked in the Ronald Williams Library since 2001. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Charli Christine Marker is blooming with creativity. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Both Charli Christine Marker and Criage Lynette Althage are reaching their dream of manifesting who they truly are in life. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Criage Lynette Althage at her desk at Ronald Williams Library on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University where her positive, ebullient spirit is displayed with color. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The Ronald Williams Library on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University is where Criage Lynette Althage has worked since 2001. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Charli Christine Marker and Criage Lynette Althage celebrate their unique beauty as Trans women on a Spring day on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
While Althage is participating in outreach and marches with Stop Trans Genocide, Marker is making feature films that celebrate her individuality as a trans woman. Both acknowledge their privilege as white people who do not have to deal with the same racial bias and bigotry as their black sisters in the trans community , hence Althage’s advocacy for Brave Space Alliance. According to a June 28, 2022 Pew Research Report, “Most Americans favor protecting trans people from discrimination, but fewer support policies related to medical care for gender transitions; many are uneasy with the pace of change on trans issues… Roughly eight-in-ten U.S. adults say there is at least some discrimination against transgender people in our society.” This discrimination is rampant in places like Northwestern hospital where Marker sought medical treatment.
At the hospital, Marker was faced with bigotry and hatred when she expected compassionate care.
“My pain was so bad that it led to extreme autistic meltdowns, which caused cops to restrain me, threaten to arrest me, and joke about me being anally raped in prison. This is how intersectional violence works, where transphobia doesn’t reach a fever pitch until it mixes with ableism and fatphobia in me, or race and immigration status in the other.”
Marker was able to survive the episode, however, it left her with an indelible scar of distrust and fear of the police, whom she refers to as ACAB (as in All Cops Are Bas—-).
According to Criage Lynette Althage, the intersectionality of race, socioeconomic status, and gender identity impacts her experiences with transphobia because “It sadly causes divisions between communities of privilege and those who are marginalized with trust being a barrier for trans communities of color. I think we are constantly working towards merging our collective interests with those of Black and brown communities…”
Yet, it is bullying that causes gender non-conforming youth to withdraw from school or even commit suicide. Notable cases such as those of Matthew Shepard and Fred Martinez, who were murdered for their gender identity, are the ultimate manifestation of a gender binary culture where there is literally no room (neither bathrooms or locker rooms, in Florida for example) for someone who presents differently. Martinez’s identity as a young Navajo who was beloved by their own community, but despised by those in mainstream culture was explored in the film Two Spirits by Lidya Nibley. Nibley aptly points out how integrated genders are sacred in cultures such as the Navajo.
The radical division of gender into a binary of male or female leads to hatred of those who present outside of the status quo, which causes fear and bullying. Native Americans like the Navajo believe in embracing those who have integrated gender identities. The Navajo have at least four words for various gender identities in their language with a legacy focused on honoring everyone’s individual spirit and humanity.
Meanwhile, Charli Christine Marker, and Criage Lynette Althage are working on creating their own legacies of standing up for the underdog. Althage does this through activism, and Marker does it through writing poetry and expressing herself in filmmaking. Marker’s next feature film is titled Racine Grace about filmmaker Khloe Gwen from Los Angeles. Racine Grace will premiere on June 10, 2024, at Sweet Void Cinema at 3036 W Chicago Ave 1W, Chicago IL 60622. The free event features free soft drinks, and is mask-mandatory. Find out more about her work by going to her all my links page at https://allmylinks.com/cookierill. Althage can be found working behind the counter at the Ronald Williams Library on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University on days when Northeastern Illinois University is in session.
Here is a recent poem by Charli Christine Marker, used with permission of the author:
On Feedist Dysmorphia
I know a girl whose father wrote for The Simpsons. He wrote the best episode.
The Best Episode of the Best Show.
But when I got around to watching it, and observed Homer supposedly comically getting fatter for Disability, it felt like an insult to the beauty of all those I love.
It made me want to die.
Four days ago, the girl whose father wrote the episode posted a selfie, four years and over 200 pounds in the making. She was over 60 pounds more than Homer was when he was immobile in the episode, but she was standing upright and happy with a gallon of whole milk in her hand.It was the most beautiful image I’d ever seen in my life. But when I showed my aunt the picture, she was insulted by how it treated the beauty and brilliance and productivity of the niece she loved.
It made me want to die.
I am an autobiographical filmmaker, whose work aims to be somewhere between the Simpsons and that selfie. I’ve had friends tell me that they like my work more than The Simpsons even, but I am currently sitting in a
Padded Cell
Because of how I wish I could be an artist like the Girl in the Picture.
Pacing endlessly and worrying every step about the calories they are burning.
Charli Christine Marker, 2024
Charli Christine Marker is a poet and filmmaker with a new feature film titled “Racine Grace” about filmmaker Khloe Green which is being released on June 10, 2024.
Nikki Patin released her book on April 11, 2024 at the Honeycomb Network and the help of the Guild Literary Complex, and Andrea Change.
The Honeycomb Network was buzzing with activity and an aura of excitement as the book release party got underway for Working on Me by Nikki Patin at 2659 W. Diversey in Chicago on April 11, 2024. The book was honored with an official release party organized by The Guild Literary Complex under the leadership of Andrea Change. Change, being true to her name, has taken The Guild Literary Complex from being a small, grassroots literary organization dedicated to social and restorative justice for black and brown people through performance events to being renowned both nationally and internationally, with a recent trip to create art with a like-minded community in Quibdó, Colombia, South America. The Guild Literary Complex worked with author Nikki Patin to have her first book, Working on Me, a memoir in the genre of creative non-fiction released during sexual assault awareness month. Published by Vine Leaves Press in Greece, this dramatic memoir deals with sexual violence issues head on, and pulls no punches as it grapples with three generations of the same family through unique voices and strong writing.
According to Andrea Change, “Nikki’s work as an advocate for sexual assault awareness works because she is a survivor and her background as a literary artist combined with her emotional intelligence creates a safe space for the other survivors in her circle.”
A 45 year old single, queer mother, Patin is courageously creative. She has written this book from the depths of her soul, providing details behind family stories and building them up with resonate details, as only an accomplished writer can do. Her dedication to innovation and revolution that bucks the patriarchy and rebukes the mainstream can be seen in her decision to promote the book using a series of music videos with narration from the book as inspiration.
Her first video, Brickcan be found on Youtube. It is clearly the work of an artist dedicated to thoughtful reflection on difficult topics. Brick uses strong visual imagery at its core, the music video really makes the work come alive in Patin’s world, where fragments of the brick fly back to it, recreating its original form. Her unique editing skills are a sleight of hand that renders a magical place where bricks can restore themselves after injury. Of course, the analogy belies the fact that bricks cannot restore themselves, though human beings are capable of healing at a fundamental level, trauma undoubtedly causes them to change.
As Patin said in an April 20, 2024 interview at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted in Chicago, “I like to co-power with people. I don’t like to empower people. I believe that people are already powerful, and I’d just like to recognize that. I do what I can to help people in bringing out their own personal power.”
Patin has not been granted the same solicitude in her life where she endured unimaginable horrors as the victim of sexual violence. As a result, Patin has spoken with the United Nations about the impact of rape on black and brown women in the United States, performed on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and advocated for the rights of residents in Englewood through her work with RAGE. To find out more about Nikki Patin and her book, visit her web sitewww.NikkiPatin.org
Nikki Patin, author of “Working on Me” published by Vine Leaves Press out of Greece, had their book release party given by the Guild Literary Project under the leadership of Andrea Change on April 11, 2024 at the Honeycomb Network. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
True to Patin’s spirit of advocacy as a trauma survivor, her book release party was held at The Honeycomb Network at 2659 W. Division Chicago, Illinois. It is known for being a community space offering holistic co-working, co-creating plus collective care services. The physical and online location contain a boutique apothecary gift shop, workshops and cultural events lead by a BIPOC network of healers, educators, artists and holistic service providers. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Clutching Nikki Patin’s new book firmly under her arm, Sonja Wilson is one of the people who came out to be one of the first to get Nikki Patin’s new book “Working on Me.” (Photo by C. Schandlemeier)
Executive Director of the Guild Literary Complex, Andrea Change introduces Nikki Patin’s new book “Working on Me” at the Honeycomb Network on April 11, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Kao Ra Zen (Rapper/Poet/Musician and Performance Artist) is the Programming Associate for the Guild Literary Complex. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Sainte Harden-Tate is part of Surviving the Mic, a performance group that Patin founded to to give voice to sexual violence survivors. To find out more, go to https://survivingthemic.org/ (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Anthony Spaulding is a multi-talented artist currently working as a barber at State Street Barbers in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. (Photographed by C. Schandelmeier)
Imagine a child with a bowl on their head whose father cuts around the bowl to create a hair style. This may sound like a cosmetologist’s nightmare, but that is just what Anthony Spaulding’s father did to make sure Spaulding and his brother were clean cut and cost-effective. The embarrassment of the haircut that followed, encouraged Spaulding to pick up the clippers himself. Spaulding wrote, directed and performed his one man show To Cut A Barber’s Hands which toured locally in Chicago from church to church for months. While he is now hard at work on another show, he also needs to survive. He can be found waxing poetic at State Street Barbers at 1545 N. Wells in Chicago’s Old Town where he cuts hair six days a week.
Spaulding is also making sure to contribute to the community by cutting hair for people who, like his family, cannot afford it. The day he interviewed at his place of employment, he had just been to visit a family who was in dire need. He arrived early at their family home and cut hair for everyone there, out of the goodness of his heart.
Spaulding is known for performing with panache, on the spur of the moment. He cuts a striking figure as he showed up to a recent poetry reading at the Highland Park Art Center wearing a stylish black suit and black button down shirt, the only ornamentation being a large gold crucifix around his neck. “You are the best dressed person here!” Exclaimed poetry host Lynn West after Spaulding humbly admitted he was not prepared to perform, and yet came through with a perfectly memorized poetic performance.
He has a firm foundation in faith and family while exhibiting a growth mindset. “When you’re a barber, you have to be willing to change to keep up with the times.” He said during an interview with Poetry in Chicago. These qualities are paramount in his daily interactions with customers where he has a keen sensitivity for each customer’s unique style. To find out more about his work, follow him through social media accounts listed on his link tree account at Aplus Innovations LLC. and read Poetry in Chicago’s January article about him.
State Street Barbers is located at 1545 N. Wells Street in Chicago. Anthony Spaulding works there 6 days a week.Anthony Spaulding provides excellent service at State Street Barbers in Chicago. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier).
Poetry in Chicago 