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Poet Jamal Washington asks Columbia for partnership to expand youth arts programs and bring Southern Fried Poetry Slam
Summary
Local poet and nonprofit director Jamal Washington asked the City of Columbia to partner with his nonprofit on youth programming and to support hosting the Southern Fried Poetry Slam, a national poetry competition, in Columbia.
Jamal Washington, executive director of Poetry, Entertainment, Arts, Community and Education (PEACE), urged the City of Columbia to partner with his recently formed nonprofit to expand youth poetry and arts programming and to help bring the Southern Fried Poetry Slam — a national poetry competition — to Columbia.
Washington told the council he has worked in law enforcement for over 20 years and runs local workshops and mentoring programs. “We are also Columbia’s y’all slam team,” he said, and described plans to apply city hospitality or grant funding and to coordinate with city youth and violence‑prevention programs.
City staff and council members responded positively from the dais. A city official (referred to in the transcript as the city manager) suggested Washington connect with the neighborhood safety program and with 1 Columbia for possible grant support. Council members also recommended Washington share organizational contact information with staff before leaving the meeting.
Washington said it is his goal to host Southern Fried in Columbia and suggested the ALOF hotel and the Metropolitan Convention Center as possible venues; he asked the council to consider partnership and support for outreach to youth.
No formal commitments or funding allocations were recorded on the transcript; staff directed Washington to follow up with city programs and to explore a hospitality grant application.
