How First Citizens’ artistes are revolutionizing creative expression among T&T youth
First Citizens is involved not just in this particular art-form but in artistic, expression in word and music among the nation’s youth.
For a culture that is so steeped in the oral tradition, the evolution of ‘Spoken Word’ and the speed at which it is gaining ground as a preferred form of creative expression among youth, has come as no surprise to the arts community. But for many of us across Trinidad and Tobago, we are still playing catch up with this unique art form that has found a voice among Caribbean youth.
So what exactly is Spoken Word? It is a form of expression that can include storytelling, poetry and monologues and is determined to be a tradition in African culture of storytelling and folklore, such as “Br’er Anansi”. Its rise in the African American creative industry was first through rap music before establishing its own independent space. Here in the Ca- ribbean, calypso is reflective of the same African tradition of storytelling. Where rap and calypso have converged as performance poetry, is in the Spoken Word- not just as social commentary, but more in terms of social protest.
If we think of the late Muhammad Ali, we think of him not just as a man of rhythm in the boxing ring, but a man of rhyme – a Spoken Word artist. He has been fondly described as a major proponent of Spoken Word poetry, often expressing his thoughts in rhyme, cleverly taunting his opponents with poetic couplets. According to writer Katy Waldman, “Boxing and talking were Ali’s one-two punch.” About six months before his career skyrocketed with a world championship title—and before he converted to Islam and dropped his “slave name” Cassius Clay –many will remember that he released an album of Spoken Word poetry titled “I Am the Greatest”.
Ali provides a highly visible reference point for us in what the Spoken Word can achieve in terms of challenging the status quo and breaking boundaries. Communications Officer at First Citizens Financial Group, Evelena Bruce is passionate about Spoken Word and shared with us how her organisation is involved not just in this particular art-form but in artistic expression in word and music among the nation’s youth. This includes calypso as well. As she explains, “Through our youth development projects we align ourselves with the United Nation’s global youth development initiatives which seek to empower youth to become “agents of social change and peace; and with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Youth Policy which aims to ensure ‘For every youth a place, a purpose, a plan’, and that’s our aim”. Within this context, Bruce says, First Citizens strives to “To inspire, encourage and empower youth to find their voice”.
The First Citizens National Poetry Slam
2016 marks the fourth year that First Citizens is involved in the National Poetry Slam which it hosts in partnership with the Bocas Lit Fest. According to Bruce, “the festival works to promote literacy and to celebrate and develop regional and international books, writers and writings. The First Citizens National Poetry Slam closes the festival and is quickly becoming the most popular festival event. It is managed by ‘The 2cents Movement’, a non-governmental organisation, dedicated to “creating consciousness” and run by a group of young adults and founder, 26-year old Jean-Claude Cournand, himself a former performance poet.”
The 2013 Spoken Word artist Crystal Skeete had delivered a mesmerising spiel on ‘maxi-men’. She has since added video to her poetry which resulted in her work gaining momentum on YouTube – and with that, a number of new converts to the T&T poetic fraternity. Bruce reflects that while youth interest in calypso may be waning, that Spoken Word is probably “picking up where calypso left off”, drawing an increasing number of creative writers to centre-stage. Thematically, the Poetry Slam addresses critical social issues like crime and violence, sexual abuse, politics and corruption. However many humorous and off-beat entries also make it to the finals.
Commenting at the Spoken Word semi- finals this year, First Citizen’s Deputy CEO – Business Generation, Jason Julien commented, “The quality, creativity and energy demonstrated in the semis are testament to the rich level of talent resident here and I am looking forward to seeing these masterpieces on full display at the upcoming finals.”
At the finals, Seth Sylvester emerged as the 2016 First Citizens National Poetry Slam Champion and winner of the top prize of $20,000. Sylvester is a powerful phenomenon both on-stage and off- stage. In a passionate ode to TV news anchor Desha Rambajhan, he was on fire, stealing the hearts of both audience and the judges.
In second place, Kyle Hernandez delivered a piece about underachieving men in society and a lack of ambition which is fondly referred to as “Big Man Ting”. 2014 winner Idrees Saleem’s “Poetic Justice League” took him to third place. Last year’s winner Derron Sandy was burning up with issues he wants to see addressed in society – and his inflammatory comments on politicians are potently captured in his narrative on ‘Breadline’. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the top three.
Bocas Lit Fest organisers have had over 140 Spoken Word artists of all ages audition this year for the Poetry Slam. Thirty-three semi-finalists competed for a spot in the Finals. While the semi-final rounds were judged by a select panel of local poets, the final was judged by a panel of internationally renowned, prize- winning poets who are also participants in the annual NGC Bocas Lit Fest.
First Citizens is also title sponsor of the annual national TUCO Junior Calypso Monarch which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. The competition attracts a large cross-section of youngsters from both Trinidad and Tobago. Coupled with its sponsorship of the Junior Calypso Roving Tent annually which features the finalists of the previous TUCO season, student cantors get the opportunity to tour and entertain primary and secondary schools across the nation. According to Bruce, “It is another positive outlet for self-expression that over the past few years has produced thought provoking and socially conscious messages on par with those performed by many adult calypsonians. This is a testament to the youth’s awareness of social issues as well as their desire to be a part of the discussion about topics of national interest.”
The CSR Strategy
First Citizens CSR strategy is focused on ‘Youth Development and Education’ as Evelena Bruce explains. “We work with regional and national entities in offering or supporting programmes encouraging self-discovery, engendering self-esteem, education and talent development.” Bruce is proud that her organisation is “providing safe and positive outlets for self-expression and aiding in creating dialogue between youth and key national stakeholders in order to secure the sustainable development of our culture and our human capital.”
Young Voices Concert
Today, First Citizens voices extend further along the education value chain, to the 6-12 year old student community. This year the Group has partnered with ‘Young Voices’. The programme works with primary schools over a 3 month period to supplement their music education programmes. It teaches the students light choreography and a repertoire of music including local and regional nation-building and international pop songs, in preparation for a grand concert at the end of the period. The concert is professionally arranged, features all the students of each participating choir, as well as local and internationally famous musicians. Director Gigi Morely is an experienced television and radio broadcaster specialising in lifestyle and entertainment programming and has made Young Voices the largest massed- voice concert series in the world.
Steelpan & Jazz Festival’s Young Musicians’ Developmental Workshops
First Citizens is heavily invested in culture and in particular with youth expression in culture. The Young Musician’s Development Workshop is another such initiative in which the Group is nurturing and supporting youth in national music. The Group works with local and international jazz musicians to host workshops at a number of venues in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima and Mayaro, providing young musicians the opportunity to learn directly from professionals in the field. An initiative of the Queen’s Royal College Foundation, the lead workshop facilitator is famed international jazz trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda.
First Citizens and Community
Apart from ‘Youth Development and Education’, First Citizens community engagement programme also supports non-traditional sports such as chess and water-polo and family issues such as housing in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and women’s health through employee volunteerism. The group’s ‘Pink Card for a Cause’ allows each card holder the opportunity to give their support to the battle against domestic violence.