Pelham Parkway writer teams with
NYPL for free ‘spoken’ workshops
BY ALEX MITCHELL
One of the borough’s most beloved
poets is teaming up with the New
York Public Library and a several
community organizations to teach
spoken word to Bronxites.
Pelham Parkway author Karl
Omar Lawrence began the series
with cost-free, creative and verbally
liberating workshops at the Morris
Park Library on Wednesday, May 8.
In a room fi lled with his fellow
peers, Lawrence “used creative writing
and spoken word as tools to teach
to and address deep cultural, political
and economic issues of people in
the Bronx.”
Each of those issues he had delved
into previously in the second volume
of his published book of prose, ‘The
Radical Poetry of Karl Omar Lawrence.’
It’s only natural that Lawrence
titled his speaking tour as ‘Radical
Conversations.’
An earlier session was conducted
at Hunts Points’ Boogie Down Grind
Cafe on Saturday, May 18.
His writings are used to redefi ne
the word ‘revolutionary.’ Lawrence
will continue to use his radical approach
to poetry, prose and iambic
pentameter at another writing workshop
scheduled at the Andrew Freedman
Home on Friday, May 31.
Following his workshop at the
Freedman Home, Lawrence will offer
a series of workshop at the Clason
Point Library each Tuesday evening
from 5 to 6 p.m. during the month of
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M 30 AY 31-JUNE 6, 2019 BTR
June, starting on Tuesday, June 4.
Lawrence will also be working
with the Allerton Library throughout
the summer months to deliver a
similar workshop on spoken word
and how it can be used as vehicle to
describe the authenticity of everyday
Bronx life.
The cover of Lawrence’s latest book of prose.
Courtesy of Karl Omar Lawrence
Lawrence (third from right) during the workshop at the Morris Park Library. Courtesy of Karl Omar Lawrence
Assemblyman Benedetto (r) enjoys a few laughs
with post menber Dave Stewart.
Post 253 Hosts
Support The
Troops
Bingo Night
The Theodore Korony American Legion Post
253 hosted its annual Support the Troops Bingo
Night on Friday, May 17 at the Samuel Young
American Legion Post 620.
(left) Councilman Mark Gjonaj honored Cathy
Praino with a City Council Citation.
(l-r) Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Judy Lanci and Councilman
Gjonaj had a great time.
Judy Lanci (2nd from l), Theodore Korony American Legion Auxiliary
president, honored Loyal Supporters (l-r) The Wicked Wolf,
Kayla Engeldrum and Pasta, Pasta. Photos by Veronica Feliciano