Poets help city children

Poetic words escaped from the mouths of College faculty, staff and students last night as the sun fell asleep in the sky. The Co-op Bookstore hosted a benefit poetry reading for a day camp for middle school-aged children entitled "Summer in the City."

Each reading participant shared glimpses of poetry on subjects ranging from summer in the city, love, cultural expression and conception.

According to Student Academic Services Special Advisor and Program Director Brenda Grier-Miller, this program started five years ago as an idea of local community members who wanted to make a difference in the lives of young children.

The program, which focuses on the arts, has set a precedent for giving youth positive activities to engage in during the summer months in Oberlin. The camp is housed at Langston Middle school.

"This program started as a challenge. Our town potter, Tom Finney, approached me wanting to find a way to become more involved in the community. Then I asked Clark Shepard if he would be interested in teaching photography to the kids. When he agreed, I realized that we had something here," said Grier-Miller.

Last summer the participants of Summer in the City, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Art and African American Studies Johnny Coleman, painted a mural on the back wall of the Co-op. Participants also painted a mural on the side wall of the Oberlin Recreational Center.

Since the inception of the program, several faculty members and students have been an integral part of the program.

This program has really made a huge difference in my experience in Oberlin these past four years," senior Prentiss Slaughter said.

"We wanted the young people to realize that they have talent and ability. We wanted to engage them in the appreciation of the arts," said Grier-Miller.

Grier-Miller added that the program was supported by Coleman, the Pottery Co-op, the Oberlin Public Library and Bead Paradise.

According to Grier-Miller, program planners are committed to young people and are more than willing to invest time and money in the kids. People are also willing to contribute funding to programs that promote positive and constructive activity in the community.

Slaughter has taught drawing to program participants for the past three years.

Activities in past summers have included not only mural painting and drawing, but also quilting and pottery.

"I would like to see sessions like these where rap is involved. I think that the kids would relate more to that. This was really good, but we need more publicity. It's important to get the kids involved with the arts," said reading participant and Associate Dean Julia Nieves.

"I am grateful to participate in this most auspicious endeavor," reading participant and Professor of African American Studies Calvin Hernton said.

The idea to have a benefit poetry reading came from Co-op manager Alison Myers an was organized by herself and local author Lynn Powell.

"We had such a rich and interesting collection of poets. I'm just surprised that poetry can make money. All of the poets were excited to lend their time to benefit these kids," said Powell

"This has been an incredible experience. It's been really exciting. Hopefully we're starting a tradition that will happen again next year," said Myers.

Other reading participants were Associate Professor of Creative Writing Pamela Alexander, Professor of Creative Writing Martha Collins, Associate Mudd Librarian Jessica Grimm, junior Pyeng Threadgill and Professor of English David Young.

This year's camp will last from July 6 through the 25.