More $ for Verses Poetry Slam

Deputy Chief Executive Officer at First Citizen’s Jason Julien said the bank’s involvement in the competition was “necessary” given its cultural importance and impact on the society.

“Spoken word like our oral traditions and calypsos represents the soul of our nation. This relationship with Bocas is the beginning of a long standing partnership and we are looking forward to great things from our young poets,” Julien said on Thursday evening during a cocktail reception for the poets.

The bank hosted RHYME, an evening of poetry, music and cocktails at the First Citizen’s Corporate Centre, Queen’s Park East. During the reception, the finalists for the competition were announced.

Julien, feeling inspired by the poets in the room, treated patrons to an impromptu performance of a poem he wrote titled, “The People’s Bank.” The piece was well received and one of the poets even threw out an invitation for him to sign up next year.

Bocas Festival Director, Marina Salandy-Brown praised First Citizen’s for its support of the poetry slam competition and she thanked the poets for delivering a quality competition which continues to grow.

Jean-Claude Cournand, Director of 2 Cents Movement, which helped to popularise the spoken word competition, briefly commented the poets using the platform to share solutions to the country’s problems. “We are not hippies, we are grounded in reality and we are speaking truth about what’s happening around us.”

Idrees Saleem, 2014 winner of the competition was among those who performed on Thursday evening, treating patrons to a taste of what’s on offer when the finals are held next month.

Twelve finalists and four stand-by poets were announced on Thursday evening.

Finalists:

1. Brandon O’Brien

2. Akile Wallace

3. Kleon McPherson

4. Ariana Herbet

5. Kito Fortune

6. Chike Pilgrim

7. Derron Sandy

8. Jabari Lynch

9. Verne Titte

10. Brendon O’Brien

11. Leandra Williamson

12. Deneka Thomas

Stand-by:

1. Kwame Weekes

2. Marcus Milette

3. Crystal Skeete

4. KC Martin