Growing up in East Harlem, Willie Perdomo faced challenges that dealt with race, violence, addiction and poverty. But with a mere microphone, the New York native channels these issues.

A famed Nuyorican poet, Perdomo will take the stage Friday with his slam poetry as part of Syracuse University’s Latino Heritage Month. Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Verbal Blend, Take the Mic Poetry Series will take place in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center at 8 p.m.

Although Perdomo has performed for many arenas – on PBS’ ‘The United States of Poetry,’ and ‘Def Poetry’ on HBO. His work mixes catchy hip-hop rhythms with his Spanish culture. Perdomo will share poems from his novels, commentaries on his experiences as a Puerto Rican poet. He will sign books after the reading.

‘He is engaging, knows how to use craft to connect children to poetry,’ said Cedric Bolton, coordinator of student engagement.

Bolton met Perdomo through Cave Canem, a regional retreat for poets. By highlighting poets like Perdomo, he hopes to inspire young student poets in Syracuse, as well as draw light to the Latino population.

The aim of Verbal Blend is to build students’ confidence for writing poetry – and ‘Willie is the perfect fit,’ Bolton said.

ekim13@syr.edu

Published on September 23, 2009 at 12:00 pm