Brian Hawkins: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
Hawkins enrolled at Mississippi State University and studied poetry while completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in [[2001]]. He began performing poetry as "AFreeVoice", often at "Phat Tuesdays" at the [[Highnote Rock N' Horse Lounge|High Note Lounge]]. He later shortened his stage name to "The Voice" and "Voice", and then to "Voice Porter". He led open mics at [[Carver Theater]], [[Safari Cup]] and [[Java and Jams]] before Bards & Brews launched in [[2009]]. | Hawkins enrolled at Mississippi State University and studied poetry while completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in [[2001]]. He began performing poetry as "AFreeVoice", often at "Phat Tuesdays" at the [[Highnote Rock N' Horse Lounge|High Note Lounge]]. He later shortened his stage name to "The Voice" and "Voice", and then to "Voice Porter". He led open mics at [[Carver Theater]], [[Safari Cup]] and [[Java and Jams]] before Bards & Brews launched in [[2009]]. | ||
Hawkins was a former president of [[Norwood Learning Gardens]] and vice-president of [[We Are Rtists]] (W.A.R.) which promotes collaborative projects and business skills for artists. | Hawkins was a former president of [[Norwood Learning Gardens]] and vice-president of [[We Are Rtists]] (W.A.R.) which promotes collaborative projects and business skills for artists. The group launched the [[Ensley Jazz House]] "Jazz House Poetry" series in [[2016]]. Hawkins also worked to put together a [[Sun Rise]] event honoring jazz composer and bandleader [[Sun Ra]]. He worked most days from the [[Starbucks Coffee]] location at [[Five Points West]]. | ||
Hawkins was awarded a "Game Changer Spear Award" during the [[2018]] [[Vulcans Community Awards]]. In [[2019]] he was recruited to participate in Starbucks' "Upstanders" storytelling campaign. A video of him reciting his poem "To Be Human" was played prior to CEO Kevin Johnson's keynote address at the Starbucks Leadership Experience conference in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his first book of poetry in [[2021]]. | Hawkins was awarded a "Game Changer Spear Award" during the [[2018]] [[Vulcans Community Awards]]. In [[2019]] he was recruited to participate in Starbucks' "Upstanders" storytelling campaign. A video of him reciting his poem "To Be Human" was played prior to CEO Kevin Johnson's keynote address at the Starbucks Leadership Experience conference in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his first book of poetry in [[2021]]. |
Revision as of 12:48, 1 February 2022
Brian Duane "Voice Porter" Hawkins (born c. 1979; died August 25, 2021) was the founder of the Ensley Alive and the Ensley Color Project and the much-loved host of "Bards & Brews" at the Birmingham Public Library.
Hawkins grew up in Wylam and graduated from Ensley High School. He and his cousin Sherman Benton were leaders in a mural campaign organized by the Birmingham Museum of Art at local schools. One notable mural, honoring a teacher who had died, was completed at Lee Elementary School.
Hawkins enrolled at Mississippi State University and studied poetry while completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 2001. He began performing poetry as "AFreeVoice", often at "Phat Tuesdays" at the High Note Lounge. He later shortened his stage name to "The Voice" and "Voice", and then to "Voice Porter". He led open mics at Carver Theater, Safari Cup and Java and Jams before Bards & Brews launched in 2009.
Hawkins was a former president of Norwood Learning Gardens and vice-president of We Are Rtists (W.A.R.) which promotes collaborative projects and business skills for artists. The group launched the Ensley Jazz House "Jazz House Poetry" series in 2016. Hawkins also worked to put together a Sun Rise event honoring jazz composer and bandleader Sun Ra. He worked most days from the Starbucks Coffee location at Five Points West.
Hawkins was awarded a "Game Changer Spear Award" during the 2018 Vulcans Community Awards. In 2019 he was recruited to participate in Starbucks' "Upstanders" storytelling campaign. A video of him reciting his poem "To Be Human" was played prior to CEO Kevin Johnson's keynote address at the Starbucks Leadership Experience conference in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his first book of poetry in 2021.
Hawkins was found dead at his home in Warrior in August 2021.
Publications
- Hawkins, Brian "Voice Porter" (2021) The Devil Came to Alabama.
References
- "I Create Birmingham: Brian Hawkins AKA Voice Porter" (January 7th, 2016) Create Birmingham
- Worthy, Ariel (January 18, 2018) "The Creativity of Brian ‘Voice’ Porter Hawkins: artist, poet, musician, gardener." The Birmingham Times
- Shamsi-Basha, Karim (February 23, 2018) "Brian Porter Hawkins is an Alabama Bright Light triggering a renaissance through Ensley Alive." Alabama Newscenter
- Stuart, Shauna (September 28, 2019) "Ensley’s 'Sun Rise’ will pay homage to Sun Ra’s musical legacy." The Birmingham News
- Swain, Sharron Mendel (November 8, 2019) "5 reasons why Birmingham needs to know Brian Voice Porter Hawkins." Bham Now
- Stuart, Shauna (August 25, 2021) "Birmingham poet, community activist Brian Hawkins dead at 42." The Birmingham News
External links
- "To Be Human" video at stories.starbucks.com