Join us for Assata Lives! A Tribute Poetry Reading for Assata Shakur, an afternoon dedicated to celebrating the life and enduring revolutionary spirit of one of the most powerful figures of the 20th century.
Assata Shakur—born JoAnne Chesimard in 1947—was a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army during the civil rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s. A writer, activist, and political exile, Shakur’s life has come to symbolize both the resilience of Black resistance and the ongoing struggle for the liberation of all peoples. Her acclaimed autobiography, Assata: An Autobiography, details Shakur's life as an activist and a political target of the U.S. federal government that led her to escape from prison after a flimsy conviction and given political asylum in Cuba, where she resided up until her death in October, 2025.
This tribute reading gathers a stellar lineup of poets whose work echoes Shakur’s revolutionary vision and power: Tara Betts, Bridgette Bianca, Nikia Chaney, Matthew Cuban, Aya de Leon, Rhys Langston, jessica Care moore, Nailah Porter, Matt Sedillo, Alene Terzian, Pam Ward, Romaine Washington, and Jessica Wilson. Hosted by Shonda Buchanan.
Zoom link will be shared 24 hours before and on the day of the reading.
About Beyond Baroque Beyond Baroque is one of the United States' leading independent Literary | Arts Centers and public spaces dedicated to expanding the public's knowledge of poetry, literature and art through cultural events and community interaction. Founded in 1968 as an experimental literary magazine, Beyond Baroque is based out of the original City Hall building in Venice, California. The Center offers a diverse variety of literary and arts programming including readings and workshops. The building also houses a bookstore with a large collection of new poetry books for sale.