Chicago Soul Poem: A City That Writes Together — Full Film Release Recap
- Elgin Smith
- Dec 17, 2025
- 3 min read
On December 4, 2025, Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative joined the Poetry Foundation, the City of Chicago, and an extraordinary group of poets to celebrate the full video release of Chicago Soul Poem: A City That Writes Together at the Poetry Foundation.
The evening marked the culmination of a months-long collaboration led by Avery R. Young, Chicago Poet Laureate, bringing together 31 poets whose work reflects the soul, resilience, and complexity of Chicago. The room was filled with artists, families, educators, city partners, and community members who came to witness poetry as civic practice.
A Night of Poetry, Film, and Community
Stomping Grounds Audiovisual Production supported the event by managing the full film screening, livestream, and technical production in close collaboration with the Poetry Foundation team—ensuring accessibility, captioning, and a seamless experience for all audiences.
While not all members of the film team were able to attend in person, we were grateful to have Uran Kabashi present with his family, representing the collective work behind the project. We proudly honor the full Stomping Grounds AVP team who made this film possible: Elgin Bokari, Hector Pacheco, Mewael Michael, Walter McDavid, Uran Kabashi, Charles J. Williams, and Cassius M., our AVP youth collaborator.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Poetry Foundation staff especially Noa Fields and to our partners at DCASE, including Amanda Carlson, for their continued support in bringing Chicago Soul Poem to life for both in-person and virtual audiences.
Live Performances & Powerful Moments
The screening was thoughtfully structured into three sections, with live performances woven throughout the evening. Jermaine Nolen and Leslé Honoré offered moving live readings that grounded the film experience and reminded us of poetry’s power in shared space.
One of the most meaningful moments of the night came when Azreya and Leslé
Honoré were brought on stage together for the first time—an intergenerational moment of recognition and affirmation.
Though Dahlia was unable to attend in person, her voice message was shared with the audience, reminding us that presence can take many forms.
The Poets of Chicago Soul Poem
We are honored to have worked alongside the following poets, whose voices shape this historic body of work:
Starla Thompson, Ed Roberson, Nile Lansana, J. Ivy, Blaq Ice, Eve L. Ewing, Reginald Gibbons, Faylita Hicks, Rich Robbins, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, Marguerite Harrold, Raych Jackson, Deana Dean, Vanessa De Guia, Olivia Mulcahy, Jenn Morea, April Gipson, Kim Ransom, Dahlia (Raych), Angela Jackson, Azreya (read by Leslié honore), cin salach, Patricia Smith, Billy Tuggle, Davon Cecil, Jamila Woods, Jermaine Nolen, Leslé Honoré, Avery R. Young, E’mon Lauren, Melinda Hernandez
Each poet contributed a soloem, Avery R. Young’s innovative poetic form offering a personal yet collective portrait of Chicago. Click the hyper links to watch the individual poems on youtube.
Looking Ahead
Chicago Soul Poem is more than a film series; it is a living archive of Chicago’s poetic voice. The full-length film will live as an archival work through the Chicago Poet Laureate platform, with individual soloems continuing to be shared to ensure each poet’s work reaches audiences across the city and beyond.
We are deeply grateful to every poet, partner, and community member who made this project possible. Chicago showed us, once again, what it means to write, witness, and build together.
Peace, Love, and SOloem.
—Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative