A Juneteenth Poetry Reading
ABODE PRESS X FUTURE FRONT TEXAS
Join Abode Press at The Future Front House for poetry readings by renowned Black poets, KB Brookins, Enzo Silon Surin, and Mirakol Jade. Each poet will reflect on Juneteenth, its cultural significance in Texas as well as read from their works.
There will be books available for purchase from Austin-local bookshop, Black Pearl Books, and a time for signings and author questions, too! There is a 30-person capacity for this event so RSVPs are mandatory.
To practice community care, masks are required for this event and will be available for attendees at the front door.
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about the POETS
KB Brookins is a Black queer and trans writer, cultural worker, and visual artist from Texas. KB’s chapbook How To Identify Yourself with a Wound won the Saguaro Poetry Prize, a Writer’s League of Texas Discovery Prize, and a Stonewall Honor Book Award. Their debut poetry collection Freedom House won the American Library Association Barbara Gittings Literature Award and the Texas Institute of Letters Award for the Best First Book of Poetry. KB’s debut memoir Pretty releases on May 28, 2024 with Alfred A. Knopf. Follow them online at @earthtokb.
Mirakol Jade is an Austin-based, Black, non-binary queer poet from Dallas, Texas. They’ve been writing for over 20 years and was first published at age 14. They have participated in slams, writing competitions, and scholarships that garnered them acclaim and opportunities. Mirakol holds a Bachelor of Arts in African & African Diaspora Studies from UT Austin and has gained recognition for her writing. In March, Mirakol repped Austin Poetry Slam in the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Baltimore, MD. Mirakol is currently working on her first full-length book—a collection of poetry—and has plans for a memoir. Stay tuned!
Enzo Silon Surin is a Haitian-born award-winning poet, author, educator, publisher and social advocate. He’s taught, performed, and lectured on topics such as social justice, the immigrant experience, and racial disparities. He is the author of American Scapegoat (Black Lawrence Press, 2023) and When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (Black Lawrence Press), winner of the Massachusetts Book Award. He’s also authored two chapbooks and is co-editor of Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience (Cherry Castle Publishing). Surin is Publisher at Central Square Press and Founder/Executive Director at the Faraday Publishing Company.
about THIS EVENT’S PRODUCER, Abode Press
Based in Central Texas, Abode Press is a new anti-racist, intersectional 501(c)3 publishing press dedicated to publishing poetry, fiction, and hybrid chapbooks that discusses identity, origin, and culture from underrepresented voices. Learn more at abodepress.com.
how to attend
Produced by Abode Press, with support from Future Front and other partners, keep up with this event through the event’s independent listing or Abode Press’ Instagram.
RSVPs are required.
PREPARE YOUR VISIT TO THE FUTURE FRONT HOUSE.
The Future Front House is located at 1900 E. 12th Street within the historic East 12th Street District.
WHERE TO PARK: The Future Front House has a large paid parking lot across the street and is directly accessible by bus line. There’s also free parking up and down the street and in surrounding neighborhoods. Carpool, if you can!
WHAT TO DO: The Future Front House is located within the historic East 12th Street District, which is home to many other creative spaces and businesses, as well as organizations like Six Square. Explore the District while you’re around.
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES — ASL interpreters can be provided upon request. Si necesita traducción al español para participar en este evento, envíenos un correo electrónico a hello@futurefronttexas.org.
IMPORTANT COMMUNITY NOTES + GUIDELINES —
All Future Front staff, volunteers and guests will be required to practice mutual respect, as well as demonstrate an alignment with Future Front’s guidelines and values: futurefronttexas.org/values.
All Future Front sessions are currently held online, outdoors or in open-air spaces where quality air flow is possible, ADA compliance is prioritized and assisted mobility devices can be utilized.
All Future Front sessions follow capacity limits to reduce crowding of any kind.
All guests are expected to follow local health and safety guidelines for gathering, as well as practice consideration with the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and any other legal, mind-altering substances.
GOT QUESTIONS? Shoot us a note at hello@futurefronttexas.org. We're happy to help and will get back to you!
behind FUTURE FRONT
Homegrown in Austin, Future Front is a community space and exhibition series—with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the front.
As an arts and culture nonprofit, we’re mother to The Front Market, The Front Festival and The Work Conference. Beyond our flagship exhibitions, we host year-round shows, gatherings and workshops at our creative community space in East Austin. Everybody and every body are welcome.
You can learn more about how it all works, our team and what we do: futurefronttexas.org.
THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA, TOPO CHICO, AS WELL AS FUTURE FRONT’S DONORS AND MEMBERS. THANK YOU!