FREE YOUR VOICE OPEN MIC

NO COVER, please remember to support the venue. Pastries may be provided.

We are Black House News, Organizers of FREE YOUR VOICE, a weekly open mic for artists and creatives located in the Mobilization for Change Community Garden on W107th and Columbus. As the nights get darker and colder, we have been in search for a new home, and expand our network to new neighborhoods and creative communities. Our goal is to cultivate a network of varying talents and unite a community around stories, music, poetry, and song on a weekly basis all based around the goal of FREE YOUR VOICE.

Be Curious, Open, and Respectful – call in not out/throw sunshine not shade

No one knows everything – together we know a lot

We can’t be articulate all the time – give the benefit of the doubt and ask questions

We take care of ourselves – stretch, eat, drink, use restroom, rest, etc.

Confidentiality – don’t speak for others without explicit permission, don’t share something communicated in a private or safe space.

One mic – one voice at a time

Take Space/Make Space – if you are usually quiet challenge yourself to take more space, and if you usually talk a lot be mindful to leave room for quieter voices

Avoid Jargon, Acronyms, and Industry language – use inclusive language that is accessible for people with varying inside knowledge

Be aware of- enough let’s move on (ELMO)

Speak from your own experience – Use I statements rather than generalizations

Be conscious of intent vs. impact – no matter intention you’re responsible for your impact

Avoid using isms without explaining what you mean by them