Kyree Rollins

Young, hungry artists, from poets to singers, aren’t hard to find on Thursday nights in Washington DC. The Spit Dat Open Mic is a haven for gifted individuals seeking an environment supportive to their craft. The open mic is for youth to have a safe space to present their art to an audience. Martha’s Table Collegiate Academy senior Kyree Rollins frequents the event and shared about his experience delivering his poetry at the event.

“It‘s a very chill place, and something is always going on there with other organizations and groups. It’s open and free,” said Rollins. “People might sing, people might rap. It’s all art.”

Rollins performed three original poems at the event on May 3.

“You know, they loved it. It’s a place where a lot of poets in DC receive feedback and a lot of love. I felt like I was at home,” he said.

The pieces he shared included an untitled poem about HIV/AIDS as part of his participation in Metro Teen AIDS’ fundraiser. The group is raising money to attend an AIDS training event which will further teach its student participants how to effectively inform other youth about the epidemic.

“My poem focused on the ways people contract it and how it’s looked upon by teenagers,” said Rollins.

Rollins says this is just the beginning for him as a poet.

“Poetry is one of the best art forms because I’m not doing it for anybody. I have freedom to speak on how I feel about certain issues,” he said. “I will write for the rest of my life. As I grow, so will my poetry.”

Spit Dat Open Mic is held every Thursday at Emergence Community Arts Collective on Euclid St.