Martin Luther King Jr. Day has rolled around once again, and the internet is buzzing with posts reminding us of his legacy. January 16th is a day for everyone to be educated on MLK and his works, and Roya Marsh was there on the roof of one of our locations in the Bronx to speak about this day the way she does best.
A celebrated wordsmith and social justice warrior, Roya Marsh was born and raised in the Bronx. She is a dedicated poet, teacher, performer, and activist, gaining national recognition for her accomplishments documented by major media outlets such as NBC, BET, and Poetry Magazine. Standing at the forefront of a vibrant literary movement – co-founder of the Bronx Poet Laureate – and devoted to nurturing and inspiring a new wave of Bronx-based writers and poets, she continues to support her role in the establishment.
Since her first book, “dayliGht” – a compilation of poetry that captures the complexities of being an African American “butch woman” in America today, reflecting on her childhood struggles that stem from society’s marginalization of her identity – was released in 2020, Roya Marsh has continued to inspire loyal fans and followers throughout the literary world.
The crowd hushed as Roya Marsh approached the platform, her presence immediately commanding attention. With delicate poise, she stepped up to the microphone and began to articulate her poem. Every word seemed to linger in the air, radiating with emotion as each line was delivered. While poetry is always present in a person’s life, it is often ignored. Poetry is an essential part of life; it helps to cope with daily struggles and gives a way to vent when everything else fails. On top of our location, the words of Roya Marsh rang out for MLK Day.
Stay up to date with all of our important community-driven events by checking out our blog posts, as well as our Instagram, and app.
