Just Do It

MISsed Education Poetry Slam

by Deesha Dyer

Sat., June 7, noon-3 p.m., free, Philadelphia Daily News Building, 440 N. Broad St., 888-549-0979, myspace.com/themancampaign

Must all good things really come to an end? M.A.N. Campaign founder and director Jumoke Dada would like to believe the answer is no, but as she preps for the upcoming MISsed Education Poetry Slam, yes is looking more like a reality. As featured in these pages in January 2008, Dada founded M.A.N. in 2007 as a response to the violence and alarming incarceration rate of young African-American men in Philadelphia. Dada and her team have recruited more than a dozen mentors, as well as raised awareness that there need to be more African-American men that the youngins can turn to in their time of need, confusion and growth. She explains, "I was watching the news and saw the statistics on senseless violence. In the next segment, they showed a number of positive men in the city that were running for office. I decided to be part of the solution."

This weekend, M.A.N. will close out their campaign with a celebration designed for today's youth. At the poetry slam, African-American males between the ages of 13 to 24 can hear success stories from African-American men. (The event is free, but space is limited and passes must be picked up in advance at the Department of Truancy and Prevention at 1601 Cherry St.) The day's roster includes locals guests such as Def Jam poet Black Ice, who is known for his socially-conscious lyrics; authors Solomon Jones and Mister Mann Frisby; and poet Just Greg. "Unless we get sponsorship and staff, this will be the end of the Philadelphia campaign," says Dada. But she is holding out hope.