For this episode of Randomly Selected, we sit down with Leslé Honoré!

We talk about everything from her origins of growing up in Los Angeles and New Orleans and the impact those places had on her life all the way to her current endeavors as a poet, activist, author and CEO of Urban Gateways in Chicago and so much more!

Leslé Honoré is a Blaxican Poet, artivist, and author of Fist & Fire, a collection of powerful, unflinching poems that confront issues of social justice through the lens of real human lives and voices, and dive into the flames of love within the context of a relationship. In her poetry and life she works to empower youth to find their voices through the arts, and inspire people to stand in the gaps that social, economic, and racial inequities create. Leslé challenges readers, inviting them to think, feel, and consider how to create spaces where everyone can thrive. She hopes that through her work she can help give voices to people who are often silenced, unheard, and feel invisible. Her pieces about Serena Williams and Doria Ragland went viral on social media and expanded the reach of her work to an international audience.

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For this episode of Randomly Selected, we sit down with Eric Williams to talk about The Last Block Party!

We talk about everything from the origins of The Sound System Block Party and the original conception of the idea all the way to the present day of its last installment!  Eric goes down memory lane with host Mario Smith and talk about 18 years of amazing culture, community and love! 

The Silver Room Sound System Block Party, founded in Chicago in 2002, is a multicultural, all-ages music and arts festival and is known as a mainstay in Chicago summers. Its roots come from the historic sound system block parties in the Bronx that connected communities through music. Having grown from a modest event for friends + family, the Block Party now attracts over 35K+ guests. We take pride in how our vibrant event highlights arts and businesses across the greater Chicagoland area, and creates a platform for famed and up-and-coming music acts.

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For this episode of Randomly Selected, we sit down with Avery R. Young!

We talk about everything from his origin story of growing up on the West Side of Chicago and how that shaped his career all the way to his current role as the Chicago Poet Laureate in Illinois and everything in between!

An award-winning Poet, Educator, Musician, Artist, Composer and Producer, Avery R. Young's work spans the genres of music, performance, visual arts and literature. Young’s work in performance, visual text, and sound design has been featured in several exhibitions and theater festivals, including the Chicago Hip Hop Theater Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the American Jazz Museum.

You don't want to miss this one!