Broadside Lotus Press 60th Anniversary Sept 21, 2025

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. A community celebration! 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Broadside Lotus Press 60th anniversary. A Legacy of Literary Excellence 1965-2025 at Trinisophes 1464 Gratiot Detroit, MI 48202 Free Admission. Performances by Marion Hayden Jazz Legacy Ensemble Greetings by Flint Poet Laureate, Semaj Detroit Poet Laureate Jessica Care Moore Poetry by Bilal Joel Fluent Greene Aurora Harris Leslie Reese One Single Rose Nzinga Lejune Triniti (iii)! Music by AMA Detroit Refreshments and Book Market Hope to see you there!

Broadside Lotus Press Naomi Long Madgett Book Award Winner Joshua Meyer's D.C. Book Launch

 Good morning everyone,

Joshua Meyers, winner of the Broadside Lotus Press Naomi Long Madgett Book Award, will be having a book launch for his collection of poetry, "Holy Ghost Key" on April 6th in Washington, D.C. at the Sankofa Bookstore.  

"Joshua Myers's Holy Ghost Key celebrates the essential role of African music in the continuity and sustenance of African Diasporic life and culture. Myers weaves his broad knowledge of African and African American music practices, genres and instruments with his memory of gospel lyrics and symbols evoking African spirituality, showing us the ways in which this music has been both the light on our path and the grounding of our historic journey. Though many of the poems pay tribute to the genius of contemporary musicians who have won popular acclaim, the entire collection reminds of a persistent African ancestral legacy." 

Please see the note below from Dr. House that has the link.   

Best regards,

Aurora Harris

Friends:

Please enjoy and post this wonderful newsletter and video announcing our NLM Award book on our BLP platforms and elsewhere.
A luta continua!
Aneb

https://www.sankofa.com/so/bbOuBusfR?languageTag=en&cid=bd7a5970-2f5c-4e14-b521-61a2bfee4ea8&region=253e04be-2d28-44d2-bbe2-adb63bac2a27

2023 Oct 2. Rev. Stephen "Sparrow" O'Neal, Detroit Poet Homegoing Service Info

 I am deeply saddened to announce that Rev. Stephen "Sparrow" O'Neal,  passed away last week.  At this time, the family of Detroit poets are in shock and grieving. After the Motown Mic Spoken Word Competition at The Cube (Max Fisher Theater) on Friday, September 22, 2023, Robin Terry, Chairperson and CEO of the Motown Museum, presented a community recognition award to Sparrow. Thursday evening, September 28th, I received text messages that Sparrow had passed away.

The Visitation for Sparrow will be Friday, October 6, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the O.H. Pye Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth Road, Detroit, MI 48227.

Family Hour: Saturday, October 7, 2023,  from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Unity Baptist Church, 7500 Tireman, Detroit, MI  48204

Funeral Service: Saturday, October 7, 2023,  from 11:00 a.m. at Unity Baptist Church, 7500 Tireman, Detroit, MI  48204.

Condolences and Flowers may be sent via the O.H. Pye website: https://www.pyefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Stephen-O-Neal/#!/TributeWall

My condolences to his family and everyone who knew him.

Aurora Harris

2023 Broadside Lotus Press Naomi Long Madgett Book Award Winner

       Detroit's Broadside Lotus Press is happy to announce the 2023 book award winner.

                                                               Joshua Myers

Winner of the 2023 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award

Broadside Lotus Press

Dr. Joshua Myers has won the 2023 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award of Broadside Lotus Press, with a stunningly beautiful manuscript entitled, Holy Ghost Key.  Dr. Myers lives in Silver Spring, MD.  The author of three books and multiple articles on African American culture and politics, Dr. Myers is Associate Professor of African American Studies at Howard University. His poems have appeared in Obsidian:  Literature and Arts in the African Diaspora, and in the anthology, Doors, Burning House Press, December, 2018.  The annual NLM Award includes publication of the winning manuscript and a prize of $500.  Broadside Lotus Press will publish Holy Ghost Key in February, 2024. The next deadline for submission of manuscripts is March 15, 2024.  Send submissions to Broadside Lotus Press, 10463 San Juan Drive, Detroit 48238. 

Poetry Detroit: 2022 Winner of the Motown Mic Spoken Word Contest & Broadside Lotus Press Publications

 Since 2014, as a board member of Broadside Lotus Press, I have served as one of the judges in collaboration with the Motown Mic Spoken Word Contest held at Hitsville, the Motown Museum in Detroit, MI. Each poet must write a spoken word piece that focuses on either the history of Motown records, its founder Berry Gordy, the music, or the social impact the record company had on the globe.

Congratulations to Ben Will, the 2022 Motown Spoken Word Artist of the Year! Ben Will won with his poem " Griot's Tale:  The Blue Building on the Boulevard." His poem will be published on a broadside by Broadside Lotus Press.

See this year's Grand Finale competition and Ben Will here: https://youtu.be/BigRbrp8FBY

Past Motown Mic Spoken Word Artist of the Year winners and published Broadside Lotus Poets include:

2014: Rosemarie Wilson a.k.a. One Single Rose for "Motown Blues"  https://youtu.be/bEER0cZaG8w?t=23

2015: Tamyra Rene for "Motosomes" https://youtu.be/Ell3yAK5LCM

2016: Omari Barksdale for "Dance of Revolution". Grand Finale performances: https://youtu.be/5G8lwjKp2LE

2017:  William T. Langford IV for "Shop Around" https://youtu.be/Fk2fJqLGbEQ

2018:  Microphone Phelps a.k.a. Mic Phelps for "We Still Here" https://youtu.be/opUiTT7qCK4

2019: Mikhaella Norwood for "Dear James Gordy" (this poem had a family "secret") https://youtu.be/1Ov554ZtcLs

2020: Cancelled due to Covid 19 pandemic

2021 Kyle Mac for "Young America". Grand Finale performance: https://youtu.be/tzPQSJdHx9M

The Grand Prize-Winning Act will receive:

• The title of 2022 Motown MIC: The Spoken Word Artist of the Year
• $3,000 Cash Prize  
• Engagement with Motown Records Black Forum Label executives
• Published on a literary broadside through Broadside Lotus Press  
• 2 hour studio session in Hitsville NEXT Stern Recording Studio  
• Be featured in a nationally released Press Release for the Grand Finale, and be taken on a Media Tour as well as continued promotion of the winners’ achievements through our social channels, website, and e-Newsletter
• Your performance featured on the Motown Museum website and YouTube Channel  
• Opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year for Hitsville NEXT and its affiliates 

The competition is now in its 8th year. Learn more about the annual competition here:  https://www.motownmuseum.org/program/motown-mic/#:~:text=Motown%20Mic%3A%20The%20Spoken%20Word%20was%20created%20to%20pay%20homage,for%20Black%20expression%20and%20education.

Poetry Detroit: 2022 Broadside Lotus Press Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award Winner

 Broadside Lotus Press Announces

2022 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award Winner

Sheri Flowers Anderson has won the 2022 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award with her manuscript entitled House and Home. Ms. Anderson is retired and lives in San Antonio, TX. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in business management, with a minor in creative writing, at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. For many years she developed her writing abilities in her spare time while working professionally as a human resources specialist. She has won numerous awards for memoir and short story writing as well as for poetry. Her poems have been published widely over the last several decades, including in Voices International Magazine, and in Voices Along the River, The Dream Catcher and Inkwell Echoes anthologies. We are happy to welcome Ms. Anderson into the Broadside Lotus Press legacy.

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2022 Detroit MLK Day Rally and March Jan 17th Update

Update to the Public from the Detroit MLK Day Rally and March Committee.

The Annual Detroit MLK Day Rally and March for Jobs, Peace, and Justice While Protecting Water, Climate, and Communities will take place on Monday, January 17, 2022, virtually at MLKdetroit.org  or on Facebook at facebook@MLKDayDetroit from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

We will have local and international speakers with local poets and musicians on this program.

https://www.facebook.com/events/237248801821088

The 2:00 p.m. in-person rally has been canceled due to the rise of Covid variants.

For more information go to MLKdetroit.org or our Facebook page.

To make a donation, go to:   gofund.me/61fbb5ea  Copy and paste this link into your browser or Cash app at $DetroitMLKDay

2022 Jan 1: Call for Submissions. Broadside Lotus Press Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award

 Broadside Lotus Press

2022 Guidelines for the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award

Winning Manuscript Announced Summer 2022

Book Published Winter 2023

• This competition is open to African American poets only. If you have already had a book published by Lotus Press or Broadside Press, you are ineligible. However, inclusion in a Lotus Press or Broadside Press anthology does not disqualify you.

• Any other serious African American poet, whether previously published or not, may submit a book-length manuscript for consideration. Do not include illustrations, essays, short fiction, or other material that is not poetry.

• Poems submitted by another person, anthologies, or collaborations by more than one poet are not acceptable.

• There is no reading fee; no payment is required.

• The poems in the manuscript should total approximately 60-90 pages, exclusive of a table of contents or other optional introductory material. Begin each poem, single-spaced, on a new page, no matter how short it may be. If the poem is long, it may be continued on the next page(s).

• Use an easy-to-read font such as Times or Times New Roman, size 12 point. Single-space except between stanzas.

• Poems that have been published individually in periodicals or anthologies are acceptable, but we will not consider an entire collection (or a significant portion of an entire collection) that has been previously published, whether self-published or not.

• Manuscripts entered in this competition may not be submitted to other publishers for general consideration, but may be submitted to other contests, as long as you notify us that you have done so or plan to do so. If you are notified that your manuscript has won another competition, you MUST inform us of this immediately.

• Send two complete copies of your manuscript, typed or computer-generated, on white, letter-size paper, with the pages consecutively numbered, to the address below. Do not include your name on any of the pages.

• Include with each copy a cover sheet that contains the title of the collection only and no other information.

• On one separate sheet of paper, list: (1) the title of the manuscript; (2) your name, address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address, and (3) a brief statement signed with your legal name, indicating that (a) all the poems in the collection are original and uncollected (not appearing in a published volume of your work) and (b) you are an African American.

• Keep a copy of your manuscript. Entries will not be returned. After the winner has been selected, all other manuscripts will be destroyed.

• You may enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard so that we may acknowledge receipt of your material.

• Mail your manuscript to the address below using first class priority mail.

• Award entries must be received between January 2 and March 1, 2022. You will be notified of the winner's and the judge’s names in June, 2022. The decision of the judge is final.

• When the winner is notified, he/she must be prepared to submit the manuscript digitally upon request.

• The award winner will receive $500 in cash and publication of the manuscript by Broadside Lotus Press within the first three months of 2023, as well as free copies and discounts.

• Broadside Lotus Press reserves the right to declare no winner in any year that none of the manuscripts submitted meets Broadside Lotus Press literary standards.

• Failure to comply with these guidelines may cause your entry to be disqualified without notification.

• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for clarification.

• Mail your submission to: BROADSIDE LOTUS PRESS c/o Dr. Gloria House, 8300 East Jefferson Avenue, Apt. 504, Detroit, MI 48214. Address inquiries to BroadsideLotus@gmail.com.

Except for entries for this award, Broadside Lotus Press is not considering unsolicited manuscripts.

We publish books of poetry only, not individual poems.

2021 18th Annual Detroit MLK Day Event on Zoom Press Release

 I will be co-hosting the 18th Annual Detroit MLK Day Event with speakers, poets, and musicians from noon today until 3:30 pm. Poets, including myself, will be reading at the end of the program at 3:00 p.m

Please share to your lists and watch the 2021  Detroit MLK Day event today, Monday, January 18  on YouTube

 https://youtu.be/7q7QdR5DSDI

 

Hello Everyone,

Here are links to today's MLK Day event to share. Scroll down to see the youtube link https://www.facebook.com/events/395604758212585

 

For Immediate Release

Media Advisory

Event: Detroit 18th Annual MLK Day Virtual Rally and Cultural Program

Location: Streamed online through YouTube at https://youtu.be/7q7QdR5DSDI (Click the link in blue)

Sponsor: Detroit MLK Committee

URL: https://mlkdetroit.org/

Facebook:

Annual MLK Day Virtual Rally to Honor Peace and Social Justice Legacy

of Civil Rights Leader

 

This year's 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration comes at a time of the worst public health crisis in more than a century.

At present we are facing the threat of yet another economic downturn.

Concurrently, there are rising tensions between the United States and other countries around the world including China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Zimbabwe, among others. A U.S.-led war anywhere in the world would prove catastrophic to the majority of people inside the country and internationally.

 

In honor of the peace and social justice legacy of Dr. King we are calling on all conscious people in southeastern Michigan and beyond to join this virtual event. Dr. King during the last year of his life was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War. King linked the rising rates of impoverishment with the failure of the ruling interests to end imperialist military adventures and occupations. He drew the connections that made him a target for the ruling class of his day. We owe it to his legacy to continue this work into the 21st century.

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are holding the entire program virtually. The event will be streamed utilizing Facebook, Zoom and YouTube.

Although we are not gathering in-person, the online character of the event provides the opportunity to invite guests from around the U.S. and the world.

 

We have already confirmed the participation of Jesus Rodriguez Espinoza, the editor of Orinoco Tribune, based in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Other special guests include a family member of police brutality survivor Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Clarence Thomas, a retired member of the ILWU Local 10 has also agreed to speak. Others included in the program are representatives of Detroit Will Breathe, who will be honored at the event for their pioneering work. Aurora Harris, renowned poet, educator and community organizer will once again coordinate the cultural presentations along with musician Sarah Torres of Moratorium NOW! Coalition. More details of the program will be forthcoming.

 

The Detroit MLK Day Committee is once again requesting your participation and support to continue this tradition which mobilizes the largest social justice gathering in the whole of southeastern

Michigan.

On Monday, January 18, 2021, the Detroit MLK Day Program will commemorate the 92st birthday of Dr. King. You are cordially invited to attend this 18th Annual Detroit MLK Day event.

The Detroit MLK Day Committee is staffed by a small, dedicated group

of volunteers.

Thank you for your kind support! (You may download event leaflets at

www.mlkdetroit.org.)

Sincerely in Peace and Solidarity,

The Detroit MLK Day Committee

 

 

Sunday June 14, 2020 Proposed Water Shutoff in Detroit, MI for June 20, 2020

Please share: Important Detroit Water Shutoff and Covid 19 info. #TurnWaterOn #KeepWaterOn #MakeWaterAffordable

There is a proposed mass water shut-off in Detroit, MI for June 20, 2020. Information for Detroit, MI residents

A. If you live in Detroit, have water shut off, or a shut-off notice, and need water call Wayne Metro at 313 386-9727

B. If you cannot get a response from Wayne Metro call MI EGLE to report what happened at 1-800-662-9278. Note: All other cities' residents without water restoration may also call MI EGLE. If you cannot get a response from either agency

Call our We the People of Detroit emergency water hotline at 1-844-42WATER (429-2837) to report your experience

C. If you or someone you know in Detroit, MI needs emergency water due to Dept of Water and Sewerage water shut off Call our We The People of Detroit emergency water hotline at 1-844-42WATER (429-2837)

D. To make a donation for us to get water for our water stations click here: https://www.wethepeopleofdetroit.com/get-involved

D. Latest article from Michigan Environmental Council

https://www.environmentalcouncil.org/support_emergency_water_deliveries_in_detroit

Covid 19 info: Detroit, MI Coronavirus and Covid-19 cases are now up to 65.8 percent in the African American population. We urge everyone living in the city or visiting to continue to wear a mask and social distance. https://codtableau.detroitmi.gov/t/DHD/views/CityofDetroit-PublicCOVIDDashboard/DemographicCasesDashboard?%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&%3Aembed=y Other reports are now including "probable cases" numbers.

May 30th report on Michigan's Covid 19 rates: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2020/04/11/michigan-covid-19-data-cases-and-deaths-by-race-ethnicity/