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The Black History Slam ‘26
What is the Slam?
Welcome to the Slam!!! This is an annual celebration of Black voices through poetry and live music in London ON.
Each year, Spoken Culture brings together poets, musicians, and community members for a powerful night of storytelling, sound, and shared experience. The Black History Slam centers Black artistry — honoring history while amplifying present-day voices shaping culture in real time.
This is more than a performance.
It is a declaration of visibility, excellence, and ownership of the stage.
Why it Matters?
Black creativity has always shaped culture. Yet too often, Black poets and spoken word artists are underfunded, under-promoted, and underrepresented in mainstream spaces.
The Black History Slam exists to create intentional, high-quality platforms where Black voices are centered.
Through curated performances, live music, and community gathering, we create space for truth-telling, celebration, reflection, and collective energy.
2026 program Outline
This year’s theme is Echoes.
Each poet takes up the theme in their own voice — exploring what echoes through memory, history, identity, and lived experience. Through poetry and music, the evening becomes a layered conversation, where past and present speak to one another in powerful and unexpected ways.
Enjoy.
6:00 Doors Open / Settle In
6:30 Opening Music - Eleanor Gebrou
6:35 Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
6:40 Poetry Reading – Pujita
6:50 Musical Interlude – Eleanor Gebrou
6:55 Headlining Performance – Britta Badour
7:15 Feature Performance – MittyPoems
7:25 Closing Musical Moment – Eleanor Gebrou
7:30 Closing Remarks & Slam Social
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak (Lenape), and Attawandaron peoples. We recognize the enduring presence and deep knowledge of the Indigenous peoples of this land, and we are grateful to be able to live, work, and create here.
Artists
Eleanor Gebrou
Eleanor Gebrou is Forest City–born and comes from a family of musicians. A singer and songwriter, she has performed in choirs and bands throughout her life and is a member of the Daytrip collective. Her sound leans toward R&B, with accents of jazz, soul, and touches of indie rock.
Soul & Jazz Singer
Britta Badour
Britta Badour, better known as Britta B. is an award-winning artist, public speaker, and poet living in Toronto. Her debut poetry collection and audiobook, Wires that Sputter, was celebrated as a Trillium Book Award Finalist for Poetry, as well as shortlisted for several other awards. She’s currently serving as the Poet-in-Residence for Poems in Passage.
Headliner | Spoken Word Artist
Pujita Verma is a poet and illustrator currently living in London, Ontario. Her work has appeared across the TTC Network and on CBC’s The National. She won awards from the League of Canadian Poets, the Toronto Arts & Letters Club Foundation, and the Eden Mills Writer’s Festival, and was runner-up for the Janice Colbert Poetry Award. Pujita was Mississauga’s Youth Poet Laureate from 2018-2020 and she currently serves on the committee for Antler River Poetry. Her debut collection of poetry is Precedence (Brick Books, 2026).
Featured PoetPujita Verma
MittyPoems
Mitty Poems is a poet, curator, and community builder whose work explores memory, faith, womanhood, identity, and the quiet ache of becoming. She is the founder of Spoken Culture, a creative platform dedicated to centering diverse voices through live poetry experiences, including the annual Black History Slam in London, Ontario. Through her work, she creates spaces where storytelling becomes healing, performance becomes dialogue, and art becomes community.
Featured PoetThe OrganiZing Team & Volunteers
Michelle owusu-Ansah
Founder | Spoken CultureMisha Bower
Community Partnership Coordinator | Antler River Poetry
David Barrick
Managing Director | Antler River Poetry
We want to acknowledge our event support volunteers: Micheal, Roy and Kit! Thank you!
Our Partners
Antler River Poetry
Antler River Poetry is London’s longstanding literary organization, dedicated to nurturing poets at every stage of their craft. Through workshops, readings, and community programming, they create spaces where local voices can grow, connect, and be heard.
London Arts Council
London Arts Council champions artists and cultural organizations through advocacy, funding, and strategic support. Their work sustains a thriving creative sector and ensures arts and culture remain central to the city’s identity.
London Community Foundation
London Community Foundation strengthens local communities by investing in ideas, organizations, and initiatives that create lasting impact. Their support helps bring meaningful cultural experiences to the city and ensures the arts remain accessible and community-driven.
League of Canadian Poets
The League of Canadian Poets is a national organization dedicated to supporting poets and advancing poetry across Canada. Through advocacy, professional development, and public engagement, they elevate the role of poetry in Canadian cultural life
Pillar Nonprofit Network
Pillar Nonprofit Network connects and supports changemakers across the nonprofit and social impact sector. By fostering collaboration, leadership, and shared learning, they help build a stronger, more vibrant London.
Western Arts & Humanities
Western’s Faculty of Arts & Humanities fosters critical thinking, creative exploration, and cultural leadership. By supporting literary and artistic initiatives, they help bridge academic inquiry with community expression in London.
Join the Spoken Culture Artist Roster
Are you a poet, spoken word artist, musician, or creative based in London, Ontario?
Spoken Culture is building a public Artist Roster — a curated directory of local poets and creatives available for bookings, collaborations, workshops, performances, and community events.
This roster will live on our website and serve as a go-to resource for:
Schools
Non-profits
Event organizers
Corporate teams
Faith communities
Festivals
Private celebrations
If someone in London is looking for spoken word or poetry talent, we want them to find you.