Mojos' Pen
The AACC has a longstanding relationship with Mojos' Pen, one of the oldest continuous spoken word poetry sets in the city of Chicago. The AACC supports the organization's mission by acting as its sponsor, promoting its events, and hosting its gatherings.
About
Mojos' Pen (a.k.a. the medicinal pen or voice) has a long history at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Indeed it may be one of the original poetry spoken word poetry sets in the city. The organization was originally constituted as an informal network of Black graduate students studying in the English Department at UIC. In search of a place to critique and cope with the social and political implications of race revolts across the country these students created Mojos' Pen as a safe and supportive space where their critiques could be shared while also improving their creative writing. Given the transient nature of college life, over the years Mojos' Pen would ebb and flow, flucuating between regular gatherings and times with little to no active participation. The organization has been in its current form since 1999. During this most recent period Mojos' Pen has undoubtedly served as a means to recruit and retain students of color in general and Black students in particular.
Our principle position is that the performance arts remain one of the most accessible ways for students to express their thoughts and experiences. We promote and place value in the maintenance of a safe space on campus to discuss and creatively portray the complexities of the Black experience. While it is the Black experience that remains front and center, Mojos' Pen continues to maintain an open door policy and students from all racial groups are welcome to come and participate.
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Problems accessing this site? Contact tbrown3@uic.edu or uicaacultctr@gmail.com
