Glenn North, the inaugural poet laureate of Kansas City’s 18^th & Vine Jazz District, discusses his work as an accomplished poet and spoken word artist, sharing passages from his recently published City of Song. The poetry collection celebrates the KC jazz tradition and the African-American experience, and North will reflect on what it means to be a black poet in the current cultural milieu.
 
The event – taking its title from a line in Countee Cullen’s 1927 poem “Yet Do I Marvel” – is part of a yearlong series of presentations and exhibits commemorating the 20^th anniversary of the city’s arts-nurturing Charlotte Street Foundation. North was a recipient of a Charlotte Street performance artist’s award in 2009.
 
Co-presented by the Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee, and co-sponsored by the Charlotte Street Foundation.