Laureates of the Caribbean: Side B Open Mic

As the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival draws to a close, ‘Laureates of the Caribbean: Side B’ gathers an extraordinary lineup of poets whose work reflects the breadth and vitality of Caribbean expression. Cheryl Boyce Taylor, Jive Poetic and Atibon Nazaire bring distinct voices, traditions and rhythms into conversation at the MoCADA Cafe, where poetry returns to one of its oldest homes: the communal gathering.

In ordinance with this year’s theme, ‘One Hand Don’t Clap: Caribbean Worlds,’ this showcase celebrates poetry as a collective act. Every poem lilts with the pulse of those who came before while making room for voices yet to emerge. Across generations, islands and diasporas, these poets remind us that Caribbean literature is built through a continuous exchange of language and memory. Caribbean culture is the product of cooperation and ingenuity.