Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence in the arts at the Petals and Thorns Film Screening and Poetry Showcase. Experience the power of film and spoken word poetry as we uplift and empower our community through creative expression.
About the Film:
The brainchild of first-time filmmaker La Toya A. Hampton, MSW aka The Poet Lady Rose and commissioned by Portland Playhouse as part of their Return to Wonderland 2022 short film festival, follows the experience of a group of Black Portland teens--Nathaniel, Aaliyah, Alyssa and Olivia in a 1-week intensive writing and spoken word camp. Follow their journey as they go from novice writers to creating their own poetry, culminating in their triumphant first public performance.
Director: La Toya A. Hampton, MSW aka The Poet Lady Rose
Producers: Charles Grant, Portland Playhouse
La Toya A. Hampton, MSW aka The Poet Lady Rose
www.ThePoetLadyRose.com - @thepoetladyrose all socials
Cast: La Toya A. Hampton, MSW aka The Poet Lady Rose - Camp Facilitator
Nathaniel Tripp Folsom - Youth Poet
Aaliyah Williams - Youth Poet
Olivia Russ - Youth Poet
Alyssa Calhoun - Youth Poet
Film Review: "From visiting the only Black-owned brick-and-mortar bookstore in Portland, Third Eye Books, to the students’ discussion and evolution of their poetry, this story highlights Black excellence and storytelling in a unique and captivating documentary." ~ Willamette Week, 9/23/22
Engage in a short artist talkback and Q&A session with the filmmaker.
Poetry Showcase: Enjoy captivating performances from distinguished Black Portland poets and youth participants.
Featured poets include:
La Toya A. Hampton, MSW (The Poet Lady Rose): An educator, filmmaker,
and renowned spoken word artist whose work has inspired audiences nationwide.
Brianna Renae: Founder of The People’s Poets and the 2023 Grand Slam
Champion of Portland Poetry Slam.
Judge Kemp: Author of Live. Love. Leo., creative writer, and community leader
with a passion for storytelling and social impact.
Qiana Woods: 2024 Grand Slam Champion of Verselandia! and a rising voice in
the poetry community.
La Toya A. Hampton, MSW (The Poet Lady Rose)
La Toya A. Hampton, MSW, known artistically as The Poet Lady Rose, is a multifaceted creative force from Portland, Oregon. With a background in mental health therapy, education, entrepreneurship, filmmaking, and poetry, she uplifts communities through literature and the performing arts. Inspired by her late father, she adopted the stage name The Poet Lady Rose when she began performing in 2008. Her powerful spoken word poetry has resonated across the United States and beyond, leading to notable performances, including being the opening and closing poet for Resmaa Menakem, New York Times Bestselling Author of "My Grandmother's Hands" as well as performing for the Oregon State House of Representatives. La Toya's poem "Brown Knows" is prominently featured in the acclaimed documentary "Black Girl in Suburbia". She made her filmmaking debut in 2022 with her documentary "Petals and Thorns: A Spoken Word Journey" which follows the experiences of four Black Portland youth through their own journey of discovering the power of poetry in owning and telling their individual story and view of the world. A seasoned educator with more than 25 years of experience, she empowers youth through poetry as a tool of self-expression, connection and self-care. La Toya's upcoming book, "Holes of a Piece of Me: An Introduction to Lady Rose", will no doubt further expand her literary dexterity and reach. Through her work, she aspires to merge her expertise in mental health, youth advocacy, and the arts to foster healing and empowerment within Black and BIPOC communities.
Judge Kemp
Judge Kemp, Jr. is a community-oriented leader, creative writer, poet, and author based in Portland, Oregon. Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Judge’s journey has taken him from performing arts in San Diego to acting and modeling in Los Angeles, and eventually to a fulfilling life in Europe. A graduate of Portland State University, Judge majored in Communication Studies and minored in Community Development. He has served on the boards for Q Center (LGBTQIA2S+ community center) in Portland, the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, and Portland's Red Dress Party. Now working as a program coordinator for the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Judge uses his rich life experiences to tell stories, promote diversity, and foster community connections. His blog, "Judge Don’t Judge…Much,"; and his book, "Live.Love. Leo.,"; showcase his passion for storytelling and his commitment to positive social impact.
Brianna Renae
https://linktr.ee/briannarenaepoetry
Brianna Renae is a spoken word poet & public speaker born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of her debut poetry collection Her Way with Words and the founder of The People’s Poets which is a BIPOC open mic created to amplify marginalized voices. She had the pleasure of opening for bestselling author Rupi Kaur in 2022. Brianna Renae was crowned Portland Poetry Slam’s 2023 Grand Slam Champion. She writes in hopes to inspire people to recognize the power in their stories.
Qiana Woods
Qiana Woods, a rising senior at Parkrose High School (Class of 2025), is born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and has been passionate about writing since the age of eight. As a slam poet, her work often delves into themes of identity, controversy, and trauma, addressing topics she believes are underrepresented in her community. Through her poetry, Qiana aims to uplift those who look like her and give a voice to those who’ve been made to feel voiceless. In 2022, Qiana was featured in the WITS (Writers In The Schools) Anthology book of youth poets. And in 2024, she became the grand slam champion of Literary Arts’ Verselandia! youth competition. She continues to use her platform to inspire and empower others through her powerful and poignant poetry.
This event has been sponsored in part by Travel Oregon.