Each one of us has a story that is valuable. Rajnii Eddins utilizes spoken word as a tool for engagement in conversations about race, culture, equity and the richness to be found in each of our stories. In this presentation, Eddins will share his poetry and the historical context in which it was created. He will discuss how our stories can be used to confront racism and other injustices, affirm diversity and equity, and initiate community dialogue. He will conclude with a conversation about how attendees can share their stories as a way to create healing and to grow mutual understanding.
About the Presenter
Hailing from Seattle Washington, Rajnii Eddins has been performing poetry and engaging diverse audiences for more than 20 years. He was the youngest member of the African American Writers Alliance at 11 years old, was chosen as the first youth poet to read original works to the Seattle City Council at 17, and represented Seattle in the National Poetry Slam. He is a published author of two books of poetry, A Taste of RAGE and Their Names Are Mine.
Rajnii created and facilitated a curriculum utilizing Hip Hop/Spoken Word to support educators in engaging disaffected youth, and currently serves as Founder and Executive Director for the The Poetry Experience at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. He presents Their Names Are Mine to students, educators, administrators, other professionals and community members throughout New England. All of this for the purpose of confronting white supremacy while affirming common humanity and sincere community relationships based on integrity, reverence for heritage, equity, and mutual respect. Rajnii has lived in Vermont for ten years, and sincerely thanks Vermont for his darling daughter and forgives it the harsh winters.
