TORONTO – Dwayne Morgan has been hosting “When Brothers Speak” for over 20 years, providing a space for Black men to speak their truth. The concert is a beautiful compilation of various Black, male poets sharing their experiences through poetry. Brandon sat down with Dwayne, and Ontario’s first Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei, to speak about the importance of self-expression.
“I think we live in a society today, as we get more into technology and there are abbreviations and all of those kinds of things, we kind of lose that love of language. And when you can get into a room where you can watch people play around with language and the way we use words, it’s such a beautiful lost art,” Morgan explained, adding that this is why he has been organizing the poetry concert for the last 22 years.
Despite the fact that the concert has had some setbacks due to COVID, they have been able to switch to a virtual format, which gives them a wider reach. Morgan says that it is important to continue this series because not only does the concert give the performers a chance to share, it also gives the audience a chance to connect with their own experiences and reflect.
“When the poets get up on stage they’re not just speaking for them, they’re also giving a voice to a lot of people in the community who may not have the same means or audience to get their story out,” he added.
When asked about the name of the series, “When Brothers Speak”, Morgan says that the name was inspired by the familial experience of being a Black man in society.
“There are so many negative things that we hear in society about how Black men deal with each other, so I really wanted to have something that spoke to loving, and family, and connection, and us really being there for each other. And that’s really where ‘When Brothers Speak’ came from,” Morgan explained.
It’s something Randell Adjei says he totally understands. Speaking about his experience as the first Poet Laureate, Adjei says that it feels good.
“I think it feels good because someone that looks like me, with the background that I have, the stories that I have, I really want the next Randell, the next Dwayne, the next Brandon just to be able to see themselves in that light. To say that ‘I can do it,’” Adjei explained, adding that he loves the work that he is doing.
As the Poet Laureate, Adjei works with different ministers and government ministries to help inspire a love of poetry, self-expression, and the arts in the province
