With Howard Homecoming 2011 on the Horizon, word is sturring up in the community as
businesses prepare, and open up their doors to students for pre-homecoming events and more.
Along with the month search for the perfect outfit and snooping for the celeb roster students
have showed up and showed out to the Prestige, Pre-Homecoming Poetry Ciphers hosted at
Everlasting Life Café.
" I wanted to be a poet, so I went in the corner and wrote my first poem," said Brion Gill, a
Prestige Poetry Cipher Coordinator. One of the most well attended events every year is the
poetry cipher. The melodic event brings together poets young and old for a night of words.
The most recent pre-homecoming slam competition was one that shouldn't have been missed.
This being the third slam, of a series-- It looked like a scene right out of Love Jones.
Poets like Hilton Hosannah, sophomore, psychology major talked about some major
topics: "Competition really ramps up things, it brings people out. We need more venues where
people can do their thing," said Hosannah.
The first round of poetry tackled topics like DC love, accepting yourself, and skin color. The
second round was almost incomparable, letters to poets, ex-boyfriends, and redemption had the
audience snapping, clapping and eager to know who would come out on top. Abisola Kusmo,
sophomore, mechanical engineering major was the winner of Thursdays slam. Kusmo, a
University of Maryland student said she has always heard about Howard's homecoming and is
excited for a chance to perform.
Poets interested in trying out for the official Prestige homecoming cipher should also attend
auditions on September 28th and 29th , in Blackburn digital auditorium from 6PM – 9PM. Gill
says the turn out has been great and she would love to continue to host these event following
homecoming. "I'm glad to know there are so many poets, it reassures me that its still here, said
Gill."
These weeks before homecoming also affect the local business surrounding the university. As we
gear up—so do they.
Everlasting Life Café located at 2928 Georgia Avenue hosted Cadence Poetry Slam series, where
the winners of each of the four different ciphers will compete for a spot in the Howard University
homecoming cipher and a $350 prize. So far there are three winners from each of the slam
series. The last slam before the finals will be hosted at Everlasting Life Café on October 6.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!