UPCOMING EVENTS
January2021
Marygrove ConservancyMarygrove Conservancy, Semaj Unplugged: The Poet’s Voice, Semaj creates video of poetry and prose, Detroit MI
Coming SoonDetroit, MI
Spring2021
Children’s Poetry Show | 2To be Announced Covid postponement- Visiting Scholar Western Michigan University
Coming SoonComing Soon
February2021
Woodside Church Work ThinkWoodside Church, Word Think, Semaj examines how binary pedagogical constructs, word usage informs our biases– Flint
Coming SoonFlint, MI
PAST EVENTS
15
October2020
Wick Poetry Center Kent State UniversityWick Poetry Center Kent State University in partnership with Earthethics.org, NY, NY and
Columbia University invite Semaj to create video for “Where Am I” video Project launch at end of
October in celebration for Earth Day 50th anniversary. Poems based on the famous poem, Where Am I by
Ellen Lyon intersect ecology justice with social justice themes, You Tube, New York, New York
Columbia University invite Semaj to create video for “Where Am I” video Project launch at end of
October in celebration for Earth Day 50th anniversary. Poems based on the famous poem, Where Am I by
Ellen Lyon intersect ecology justice with social justice themes, You Tube, New York, New York
Youtube | Zoom | New York
October2020
Baruch College, NY, NY Archives Immortal Uterus art Installation by Jasmine MurrellBaruch College, NY, NY Archives Immortal Uterus art Installation by Jasmine Murrell in
which Semaj words and audio is utilized in Black Love video, projected on the inside on the installation,
video by Jasmine Murrell also exhibited at DElectrity Festival film maker Isaacs Jacobs, Charles H. Wright
Museum of African American History, 2017- Detroit, and University Southern California
which Semaj words and audio is utilized in Black Love video, projected on the inside on the installation,
video by Jasmine Murrell also exhibited at DElectrity Festival film maker Isaacs Jacobs, Charles H. Wright
Museum of African American History, 2017- Detroit, and University Southern California
Youtube | Zoom
October2020
Alabama Contemporary Art MuseumAlabama Contemporary Art Museum-Semaj is featured guest of Brooklyn based International Artist, Jasmine Murrell in the Artist Talk: “Endless Tribute to Immeasurable Load” video- Mobile, Zoom, facebook live, You Tube, Mobile Alabama
Youtube | Zoom
October2020
(reschedule date to be announced)(reschedule date to be announced) Semaj Brown’s video performance of poem, “Mother Ocean (Making of a New Tribe)” is featured to facilitate discussion, Dept. of Diversity, presentation, Univ. of Indiana Community Conversation on Power, Race and the Complicit, Professor Otrude Moyo, PhD, Indiana
Video Performance
September2020
Elner FlowerZeta Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Chapter President Trishandra Williams commissions Semaj to write and present the poem,” Elner Flower” in honor of Elner Taylor’s appointment as Great Lakes Regional Director, Zoom, Flint MI
Zoom | Flint, MI
September2020
Professor Susan M. Kornfield, JD invites Semaj to guest lectureProfessor Susan M. Kornfield, JD invites Semaj to guest lecture, Univ. of Mich Law School Senior law Class on Trademark law, Culture, Race, and Identity, presenting from Semaj’s essay “Branded: The Buying Frying Making Baking of African American Domestic Stereotypes – Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor, MI
August2020
Michigan Radio, StatesideMichigan Radio, Stateside, Poet and Cass Tech Alumna Call on School to be Renamed Essay and audio recording featured: “On The Renaming of Cass Tech,” by Semaj Brown published on Stateside website, State of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
Ann Arbor, MI
August2020
The Literary Living Room with Host M.L. LieblerThe Literary Living Room with Host M.L. Liebler, Writers’ Voice, Semaj as a featured
reader, face book live, Zoom- Detroit
reader, face book live, Zoom- Detroit
Zoom | Detroit
August2020
College of Arts and Sciences Dept. of English WORD POWERCollege of Arts and Sciences Dept. of English WORD POWER: How Words Define and Confine Our Reality, virtual event with Eric Britt, PhD Sociolinguist and Millennial respondents to theme of racial and gender identity in Semaj’s selected literary works, a community conversation, facebook Live, Zoom, Flint, MI
Zoom | Live | Flint, MI
July2020
Flint and Genesee Literacy NetworkFlint and Genesee Literacy Network video tour of programming and explanation: What is a Poet Laureate? What is the purpose of a Poet Laureate? How did I become Flint’s First Poet Laureate? Poem by Nikki Giovanni, The Girls in Circle, face book live, You Tube, Flint, MI
Zoom | Live | Flint, MI
July2020
Virtual Children’s Poetry ShowVirtual Children’s Poetry Show: “Dreaming is Imagining is Happening” Semaj dramatizes selected poetry creates a narrative about dreaming contextualizing Langston Hughes poems and many others, James E. Kennedy Family Life Center – sponsor and host with Pastor Ralpheal D. Read as moderator, Genesee County Medical Society Book Sponsor, Pierians, Flint Chapter Sponsor, Zeta Beta Zeta social media sponsor, Zoom, Face book Live, You Tube, Flint, MI
Zoom | Live | Flint, MI
June2020
Carmen Ainsworth Student BLM Rally Farmer’s MarketCarmen Ainsworth Student BLM Rally Farmer’s Market, asked Semaj Brown to offer a
poem, River Killers, Semaj taught advised 2nd year Univ. of Mich theater student, David Guster delivery,
metaphor, myth, and meaning – Flint MI
poem, River Killers, Semaj taught advised 2nd year Univ. of Mich theater student, David Guster delivery,
metaphor, myth, and meaning – Flint MI
Flint, MI
March/April
Canceled Reading Word WarriorsCanceled Reading Word Warriors, a Poetry Pod initiative with Genesee County Intermediate School District due to COVID 19
Flint, MI
March2020
Michigan Public RadioMichigan Public Radio, Stateside Interview with April Behr: The Healing Power of Poetry with Flint’s First Poet Laureate- Ann Arbor MI
Ann Arbor, MI
February2020
Poetry ConfessionsPoetry Confessions: Tea Time with the Poet Laureate, by Semaj Brown, The Flint Courier
News Column is established, Flint MI
News Column is established, Flint MI
Flint, MI
January2020
Flint Institute of Arts (FIA) – Community Gala PerformanceFlint Institute of Arts (FIA) – Community Gala Performance- Initiated four churches to FIA and receiving Certificates of Appreciation for Work in Literacy and the Arts to a standing room over 200 plus people in the audience. Semaj was commissioned by the FIA to write two literary works to the art pieces: Epoch by Whitfield Lovell and Marie Laveau by Renee Stout. The writing was part of the exhibit provided by the listening wand, and remains as part of the FIA exhibit. – Flint, MI
Flint, MI
November2019
Kiva Auditorium Univ. of MICH-FlintKiva Auditorium Univ. of MICH-Flint, Dept. of English Semaj launches Poetry Pod Project (P3), the civic platform which utilizes poetry to enhance literacy while combining arts and sciences, Semaj reads from book, “Bleeding Fire! Tap the Eternal Spring of Regenerative Light” with discussion facilitated by Eric Britt, PhD, Sociolinguist –Flint, MI
Flint, MI
November2019
The Stephen Henderson, WDETWDET Semaj is guest on The Stephen Henderson, WDET, National Public Radio, Discussion on Literacy, Poetry Pod Project, the Tuxedo Project-Write-a Thon Fundraiser, using Poetry as a literacy tool, and Flint’s rebirth- Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
November2019
Third Man Record’s All Access CaféThird Man Record’s All Access Café, Semaj as a Featured poet presents literary work with WATER themes from historical African Diaspora, spiritual, and environmental justice, joined by James Brown, MD on Arborlune™- Detroit MI
Detroit, MI
November2019
Tuxedo Project Write- a- ThonTuxedo Project Write- a- Thon Semaj as Key note Speaker and Workshop facilitator: Myths, Metaphor and Magical Realism
MI
October2019
Wayne County Community College | International Day of the Girl ChildWayne County Community College, International Day of the Girl Child, Semaj Brown Presents her literature relevant to gender disparities, women’s equity – Detroit MI
Detroit, MI
September2019
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Michigan State OrganizationZeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Michigan State Organization 52nd Leadership Conference, Semaj Brown is Keynote Speaker-Novi MI
Novi, MI
September2019
Flint Pubic Library, “Poetry After Hours”Flint Pubic Library, “Poetry After Hours,” reading and book signing featuring Semaj Brown with James Brown, MD on Arborlune™— The City of Flint’s Michigan installation of Semaj Brown as Poet Laureate – Flint MI
Flint, MI
August2019
Mott Warsh Gallery Semaj presents from Bleeding Fire bookMott Warsh Gallery Semaj presents from Bleeding Fire book with conversation facilitated by Dr. Britt, PhD Sociolinguist, Explorations into Bleeding Fire! Tap the Eternal Spring of Regenerative Light- Flint August 2019 – Piper Carter Podcast: Detroit is Different, Interview and Reading, discussion on contemporary and historical themes-Detroit MI
Detroit, MI
July2019
Dr. John Telford Radio ShowDr. John Telford Radio Show, Semaj is featured in Interview/Reading from her “Bleeding Fire…: book, WCHB Detroit Public Television –Detroit MI
Detroit, MI
July2019
Wayne County Community CollegeWayne County Community College, Semaj Presents at Faculty Inter-Cultural Luncheon, discusses Themes of Erasure and Displacement in Culture Identity as presented in “Bleeding Fire…” book, Detroit MI
Detroit, MI
May2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American, Bleeding Fire Tap the Eternal Spring of Regenerative LightCharles H. Wright Museum of African American, Bleeding Fire Tap the Eternal Spring of Regenerative Light Theatrical Poetry Production, Debut, and release of book by the same name, Sigma Pi Zeta and Zeta Beta Zeta, Chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Utilized this event as a fundraiser generating $3,000.00 in a single evening
Detroit, MI
January2019
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Michigan State Organization Founders’ DayZeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Michigan State Organization Founders’ Day, Journey to Centennial and Beyond, Semaj presented literary work commissioned by Basileus Elner Taylor, “Pearl Formation” in honor of Fo the Founders of the Sorority, Whitney-Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI