Join us at October 2024's Free Verse, a PSNY initiative designed specifically by & for BIPOC creatives, with Sham-e-Ali Nayeem!

BRING YOUR ANCESTRAL AND IMAGINED HOMES TO LIFE THROUGH DEEP REMEMBRANCE, LISTENING, DREAMING OF WORLDS WITHOUT EXILE, AND RECREATING SPACES THAT FEEL SAFE FOR YOUR BODY AND SPIRIT IN THIS POETRY WORKSHOP.

About the instructor: Sham-e-Ali Nayeem is an interdisciplinary artist, poet, sound practitioner and recovering social justice lawyer with Hyderabadi (Deccan) Muslim roots. She is the author of the poetry collection, City of Pearls (Upset Press, 2019) and has released two musical albums; City of Pearls (2019) and Moti Ka Sheher (2023) featuring self composed musical interpretations from her book.

At The Poetry Society of New York, we believe that true creativity flourishes when all voices are heard, especially those that have been historically marginalized. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity isn't just a statement—it's woven into the fabric of everything we do. We aim to model this commitment for the entire arts industry, creating spaces where everyone, regardless of their background, feels seen, valued, and empowered.

PSNY's Free Verse Workshops are a direct response to the social inequities that too often silence BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices. These free monthly workshops offer two distinct, identity-centered spaces: one for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and one for LGBTQ+ creatives. Here, participants can connect, create, and explore their unique identities through poetry, in environments designed specifically for them.

We recognize that these spaces are not just about creativity—they're about justice. By centering BIPOC and LGBTQ+ experiences, we’re working to dismantle the barriers that have long kept these voices on the margins. Each workshop concludes with a resource-sharing session, where participants can exchange literature, community events, and grants, building networks that extend beyond the workshop.

As part of our unwavering commitment to equity, all attendees receive a 50% discount for our Weekly Virtual Workshops—because access to the arts should never be a privilege but a right.

If you do not identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+, we warmly invite you to explore other PSNY events.