Purposeful and Captivating Spoken Word Experience features community, poetry and more

The Keeping It P&C Spoken Word Experience is a monthly spoken word and music event that takes place at Poco Bar and Lounge (Photo Besa Gordon)

Besa Gordon visited the Keeping It P&C Spoken Word Experience at Poco Bar and Lounge on January 11th. She experienced the poetry and music and talked with some of the key figures in the creation and continued growth of this monthly event.

Event founder and spoken word artist Jamaar Smiley says he was inspired to start Keeping It P&C after meeting other artists.

“I realized that I speak in my own original voice, and once I found other artists who did the same thing I realized there wasn’t a space for us to express who we truly are,” Smiley said. “By the grace, Jesse and the people at Poco opened up this space to us and now we get this time to express who we are - uncut, unfiltered and completely.”

Jesse is Jesse Rhodes, the owner of Poco Seattle. When the Black owned restaurant went up for sale, Rhodes knew it was the perfect place to buy.

“To me, keeping it in the community and allowing it to be used as this community space was a calling,” Rhodes said. “Keep it going, keep it happening, keep it Black.”

Poco stands for Purposeful, Organic, Captivating, and Optimistic. Rhodes said the vision of inclusion and community is present in everything the space does.

“We have a purpose and a mission behind what we do,” Rhodes said. “We’re very intentional from what’s on our shelves to what’s on our walls.”

That makes it the perfect space for Smiley’s showcase.

“I can’t pick who comes to these events,” Smiley said. “Every single month it’s a new experience because whoever is free will come and genuinely create and participate.”

Smiley also hopes that attendees will leave both inspired and uplifted.

“I want people to leave with the idea that they can embrace their own creativity and their own freedom,” Smiley said. “I want you to be inspired and come out with a more optimistic outlook on life, and I want you to leave with the understanding that your creation is the key to you being liberated from the world you’re living in right now.”

You can RSVP for the next event on February 8th at this link.