I have been writing poetry since I was a young girl, back in grade school. I always loved reading and writing, and especially making rhymes… I continued to put my thoughts to paper in Junior High and High School, and now thinking back, the way I performed for conferences or showcases it was more in line with what we call spoken word in North America, as a lot of my work was political or written for a cause.

However, the first time I really heard spoken word, I’ll never forget. I was the director of the Cultural Awareness Youth Group Of Nova Scotia, a youth organization whose focus was on youth of African Descent. In 1996 we did an exchange trip from Nova Scotia to Toronto, with the Jane and Finch Youth Group, Tropicana and Fresh Arts. It was during one memorable afternoon with Fresh Arts, that I heard a young woman named Estelle, who recited a spoken word piece called Paul He Want A Cracker… I was amazed, spell bound and speechless, and I started writing spoken word right then and there…(my first piece was called Ice Cream- a piece on interracial relationships)… later on that same evening I heard a young aspiring poet ( now poetic guru ) named Dwayne Morgan… This young student, recited his poetry and then sold me and several of my students his book for $5.00, I still have it on my shelf… And the rest as they say is history.

Finding My Voice

I came back to Nova Scotia writing Spoken Word in a mad frenzy, wanting to write about everything under the sun. There was an incident on a university campus where some young Black men beat a young white man to a pulp. I do not condone violence in any way shape or form. This situation was different though, as it was spread all over the local media, and these young Black men got stiff sentences, and for many it was their first offense, and there were many circumstances surrounding what happened that night. I wrote my first really strong political piece to perform at a rally outside the courts… it was called Justice “1996”. That piece still causes controversy for me… I read it for CBC radio in Toronto in the year 2002… when there was a serious crime spree happening, and a lot of problems in the community. A journalist named Margaret Wente called me at CBC and then at home asking me for a copy of my poem, she said she was doing an article on the Black people’s response to the violence in the community she gave it a very positive spin when she called. Of course, me, being naive and excited that a journalist from the Globe was interested in using my work in a positive way… like a fool sent her my poem. LESSON LEARNED. There in the Globe and Mail BLACK BLAME WHITE GUILT BY MARGARET WENTE. She took my article to fuel her own rage against the Jamaican community in Toronto, she had a field day with my poem and took it out of context only using key words and phrases to fuel her very negative article… according to my brother David Woods “ You’ve arrived now dear, your in the Globe, no press is bad press.” But I didn’t like what she did at all. So I called Margaret’s voice mail as she would not return my calls and left her a series of thank you’s. “Thank you Margaret for asking for my poem under false pretenses, and I would also like to thank you for using only the lines of my poem that could be taken out of context, and I would also like to thank you for your negative article, oh and just one more thank you….” And from that I have decided to write a poem called Ode To Margaret Wente. Thank God I can take my rage to the page and then to the stage.

My Name

In the world of Spoken Word, I’m known as Amani, my name is a combination of my first name Anne-Marie – the A and the M and Imani my company name which means Faith… Amani means Peace.

My CD

I’m currently putting the finishing touches on my first Spoken Word CD project, Nick Davis from CBC Toronto is helping me. This was difficult for me, because so much of my work is personal, but I felt ready to validate all of my writings, in a recording. As support for this CD I received a Canada Council Spoken Word Grant in September of 2003. The title has evolved, changed, changed some more, but for now it’s Amani- The Words, The Rhythms and The Music. I will be doing my CD Launch in 2004, and am hoping to have a show in Toronto, Nova Scotia and Montreal.

Performances

My spoken word has taken me to many stages. I’ve performed in Open Mics & Shows in the United States, including Palmers Social Club with Power 99 in Philadelphia, hosted by Tiffany who said “This lady is fierce!” to The Taste in Atlanta where Epiphane who described me as “Lyrical Cocaine”. In 2001 I had the pleasure of taking part in the midnight poetry slams as part of the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem North Carolina, the slams were hosted by Malcom Jamaal Warner, and I met some amazing poets from across the United states and the UK. I have performed at almost every conference, political event, forum, and for every type of national day imagineable. I often write for causes, and I love that writing as well as my personal work. In 2002 I was the opening act for the Harry Jerome Awards in Toronto, and that launched my spoken word career to another level in Toronto, and I have been spouting lyrics on CBC radio since March of 2002. There is no limit to my rhymes, no season for my words.

Next year I’m hoping to take my words on tour to the United States and the UK, so once I produce my CD, I’m going to get to work on that project.

Some of My Spoken Word Performances

Spoken Word Performances
Sistervision Sister Vision Art Exhibit May, 10, 1998, Pier 21, Halifax NS
Justice, Ice Cream Palmers Poetry Night April, 1999, Palmers, Philadelphia PA
Justice, The Taste May, 1999, The Taste Atlanta GA
Mother Africa Jubalee Jan. 22, 200, Halifax Metro Centre
Justice ,Ice Cream, In The Name of Love When Sisters Speak May 5 2000 – The Comfort Zone/Toronto
Justice, Ice Cream, Sistervision CBC’sLive Poets Scociety June, 20, 2000 – High Life Café/Halifax
I Shall Rise Sankofa Tour October 29, 2000 – Rebecca Cohn/Halifax
Journey Into The Light International Women’s Day March 11, 2001 Ethiopian Café/Toronto
Gemini, Justice, When Sisters Speak January 19, 2002, Flava 247 Spadina
Journey Family Night In Detroit March 29, Detroit Institute of The Arts
I Am Canadian Harry Jerome Awards April 20, 2002, Metro Convention Centre
I Am Canadian Innoversity Creative Summit April 16, 2002, Sheraton Centre/Toronto
This Is Livicated CBC’s Live Town Hall June 3, 2002, Lord Dufferin Public School
I Am Canadian Urban Alliance Banquet July 1, 2002, The Colony Hotel/Toronto
Featured Poetry Reading (all my works) A Different Booklist Aug. 17, 2002 786 Bathurst St./Toronto
It’s International Woman’s Day Delectable Divas March 7, 2003, The Great Hall/Hart House
I Am Canadian CRRF Awards Dinner March 27, 2003, Marriot Hotel/Toronto
The Conversation Sheila Copp’s Diversity Forum April23,2003,Canadian Museum of Civilization
We’ve Still Got A Long Way To Go Innoversity Creative Summit May 23, 2003, The Colony Hotel
Find Your Courage Creating For The Cure June 8, 2003, York Event Theatre
Featured Poet ( 6 Poems ) Caribbean Literary Expo June 21, 2003, The Design Exchange/Toronto
Justice Poetry Night Nov, 30, 2003, The Apache Café/Atlanta, GA
Black History Is For Everyone Annual Awards Dinner Feb. 12, 2004, Sackville, New Brunswick
Poetic Griot ( 8 self penned Poems) Vibe Showcase Feb. 24, 2004, Hart House Theatre
Poetic Feature (full set ) Word Iz Bond Aug. 27, 2004, High Life Café/Halifax, NS
Featured Poet (4 poems) When Words Are Spoken Oct. 16, 2004, Cervejaria, Toronto, ON

Broadcast/Television Experience – Poetry and Documentaries Producer

Poetry Reading/Black Women’s Review June, 19th 1997, WDAS Philadelphia Radio Nicole Tucker
Mother Africa *recorded performance/Skylight Feb 2000, Vision Television Charles Doucet
Poet& Host/CBC Live Poets Society Aug. 20, 2000, CBC Radio/Halifax Peggy Hemsworth
It’s International Women’s Day March 8, 2002 CBC Radio/Toronto Nick Davis
In Response poem /CBC’s Metro Morning May 9, 2002, CBC Radio/Toronto Nick Davis
Hockey Poem May 22, 2002, CBC Radio/Toronto Mark O’Neil
This Is Livicated & What Happened Here Today June, 3, 2002, CBC Live Broadcast/Toronto Sonia Arab
I Am Canadian Poem July, 1, 2002 CBC Radio Sonia Arab
Mel Lastman At The Bat Poem July 5, 2002, CBC Radio Nick Davis
Menace In Toronto Poem July 15, 2002 CBC Radio Nick Davis
Stop The Violence Poem Oct. 24, 2002 CBC Radio Nick Davis
Justice Poem Nov. 7, 2002, CBC Radio Nick Davis
Twas The Night Before The Consumerism Dec. 23, 2002 CBC Radio Nick Davis
Flat Belly Blues Poetry and Monologues Radio Doc. Jan. 14, 2003 CBC National Radio Alison Moss
The Gift of Giving Dec. 5, 2003, CBC Live Broadcast/Toronto Sonia Arab
New Years Revoloution Dec. 31, 2003 CBC National Radio Iris Yudai
My Funny Valentine Feb. 13, 2004 CBC Radio Nick Davis
I Want To Vote June, 18, 2004 CBC TV/Spin Off Mark Ross