NFA West Hosts Third Annual Poetry Slam

Scholars from Newburgh Free Academy West Campus hosted their third annual Poetry Slam. Students and teachers performed original works as well as their favorite poems or spoken word pieces. 

Students welcomed special guest artist Rabih Ahmed. Rabih Ahmed is a Ghanaian- American poet and performer from the Bronx, NY. She has performed her poetry at the renowned Apollo Theatre, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and at various college campuses across New York State. She is a graduate with a B.A in Political Science and minor in Black Studies from the State University of New York at New Paltz. During her undergraduate experience, she was the first Urban Slam winner in 2012, co-president of artistic collective, Urban Lyrics, and visionary of the annual showcase “The Exhibition” in New Paltz, NY. Her work was first recognized by the Department of Education in the Nelson Mandela Legacy Writing Contest. As a winner of this contest, she was commissioned to Johannesburg, South Africa where she met with former president, Nelson Mandela.

Inspired by the legacy of Mandela, Rabih’s work exemplifies the responsibility of the artist to shift norms of apathy and to unify Afro-Diasporic communities. Her work is grounded within the rhythms and histories of the African Diaspora, bridging lost narratives across the Atlantic. Rabih has traveled throughout the Caribbean, South America & Africa, performing her work in the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Cuba.

Through poetry and performance, Rabih boundlessly explores self-love, healing, and cultivates a visceral experience for readers. She is motivated by the agency embedded in poetry which aids her in challenging systems that reinforce racism, xenophobia, sexism, and simultaneously gains freedom and liberation through this art form.

She is currently a teaching artist throughout New York City and is a member of Urban Lyrics NYC.  Follow and check out her IG feed (@artistrybyrabih) to see what she is currently up to! 

Special guests included Board of Education President, Vice President, and member Ms. Carole Mineo, Ms. Sue Prokosch, and Mr. Philip Howard respectively. 

Photos provided by NFA West Facebook page. 

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!