our featured writers
TracyJ
TRACYJ (Tracy Francis John) is a Grenadian-born, Durham-based spoken word artist. She projects her personal experiences into poetry and uses her writing as a safe haven and healing place for herself and for others. Her poetry explores love, mental health, women’s empowerment and life’s mysteries, offering healing and connection. TracyJ has performed her work on various stages, including churches, corporate audiences, local municipal gatherings, and community events. She curates the annual I Am Woman, I Am Enough showcase every March as a reflection of her commitment to empowerment and artistry.
Greg Frankson
A. GREGORY (GREG) FRANKSON is a Toronto-based educator, consultant, public speaker, and award-winning literary artist and essayist. He edited and contributed to the critically acclaimed AfriCANthology: Perspectives of Black Canadian Poets, appears in five literary anthologies, and published four poetry collections. He previously was the poet laureate of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership and resident poet on CBC Radio One’s Here and Now Toronto. His writings have appeared in numerous literary, digital, and journalistic publications. Greg’s first book of creative nonfiction, Alphabet Soup: A Memoir in Letters, was released by Dundurn Press in January 2025.
AND OUR SPECIAL GUEST HOST
JUDITH SHAW was born in Kingston Jamaica and migrated to Canada in her early teens. She is the author of a children’s book, My Grandmother Said Art Is Everywhere, and an upcoming poetry book. Judith is also an intense, energetic, inspiring, cultural poet and performer. Her stage presence has been described as engaging and captivating. Judith has shared her creative talents on many stages such as BlackLit Durham, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery Storytellers’ Event, Trent University Black History Event and a Talkin-Tales Annual Event. Judith provides monthly poetry session to inmates, voicing the need to use poetry as their weapon of self-expression.
Sign Up for the Open Mic!
The open mic to kick off our shows has become one of BlackLit Durham's most popular segments. If you want to touch the mic (one poem each, 5 min. maximum, unless the poems are less than two minutes each, then two poems is acceptable), our sign-up sheet opens at 6:30 pm, with the open mic beginning at 7 pm SHARP. First come, first served, limited slots available. Let's hear you SPIT YOUR FIRE, Ajax!
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