Today we’d like to introduce you to Jha D Williams.
The FiSi Mic started in 2008, when spoken word artist Jha D realized that her black queer poems weren’t landing at the well-known open mics in Boston and Cambridge. The space was initially established to celebrate and amplify the voices of black queer women and since has extended its welcome to the entire LGBTQIA communities of color and their allies. Today, the “non-pretentious, non-elitist, Open open mic” continues to be a home and working (as opposed to ‘safe’) space for anyone that values the power of expression with an unapologetic priority for the voices of the LGTBQIA communities of color.
Has it been a smooth road?
Our intention was always to make space for those who needed it, particularly queer artists of color, and we’ve successfully done that for almost 9 years. Whether that space is for 9 poets (#TeamBeSpoken) to take turns filling the 1-2 hours that a venue/promoter will give them or if it’s for 100+ (20 or so of whom are lucky enough to make it in time to get on the List) people to celebrate and cultivate community for a full 4 hours at a dedicated venue, the space is still made and the road is still traveled.
We remain consistent and aligned with our Purpose, and therefore the Mic continues to grow!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ‘if you can Feel it, you can Speak it’ Open Mic Movement story. Tell us more about the business.
We are first and foremost a monthly open mic, hosted every second Thursday at the Milky Way in JP that is a working space for the LGBTQIA communities of color to commune over art. Thereafter, we are a tribe of 9 spoken word artists who host, perform at and curate other events throughout the city. Lastly, we are a home for those seeking resources, networking and opportunities.
We are known for our love; almost every newbie (people who are at our Mic for the first time) expresses how they’ve never felt more welcomed or more comfortable than they do with us. That’s something to be most proud of for sure.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Spoken word artists are tragically underpaid and that needs to change. As the music and entertainment industries evolve, we see spoken word stretching out more to the main stage.
Pricing:
- $8 cover (free food!)
- $10 cover (still free food!) in June & November
Contact Info:
- Address: Bella Luna & Milky Way
284 Amory St
Jamaica Plain MA - Phone: 617-279-7849
- Instagram: Feelit_Speakit
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/feelitspeakit
Image Credit:
All of our photos are by Bryan Trench of STAE TRU
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
