Save the date
FreeVerse x MOMENTUM is a bold, three-day experience that reimagines FreeVerse as more than a monthly stage; it’s an incubator for artists. Through intentional partnerships, neighborhood-based activations, and uniquely curated daily experiences, this model expands how art is created, shared, and sustained in the community.
Day 1: Roots
June 25th, 2026 | 5-9 PM | Puma Headquarters
This special evening with PUMA BBOLD will launch our three-day Momentum week. This evening will mirror our monthly open mics with standard open mic layout and featured poets. For this special event, we will be having 3 featured youth poets throughout the evening and will kick off the show with a one-hour mixer highlighting a local painter alongside local poetry books on display.
Presenting
Josiehanna
Josiehanna is a first generation Dominican American born and raised in Dorchester. Josiehanna loves to talk about her Afro-Latindad, paint pictures in peoples mind and bring comfort with her words. She’s known throughout the city through her work from 617Peak, being a host for Youth Open Mics at JustBookish in Doechester (which y’all should all checkout), being a featuring performer in most recent efforts for Free Verse for the City of Boston, and for her community advocacy as a student government rep. She hopes to continue producing and performing her pieces and create a sense of safety when it comes to her name. Her goal is bring seeds and embody them through poems for each to bloom once she leaves the space.
Will Divyne
Will has been creating for the better part of a decade. He is a multi-instrumentalist and a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on instrumental music, vocal music, and poetry. Two summers ago, he performed as a solo act at the Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Festival. He has also graced the main stage at Carnegie Hall. Will has collaborated with both Grammy-nominated and Grammy Award-winning producers and artists. He is currently a performing musician, student, and vocal coach
Joline Brito
Joliné Brito is an Afro-Dominican spoken word poet and pre-law student at Northeastern University, using her powerful voice to ignite change. As the daughter of immigrant parents, her poetry fearlessly confronts racism, sexism, immigration, and generational trauma within Black and Latinx communities. Featured at TEDx Roxbury, MIT, 617Peak, and Mayor Wu’s campaign, Joliné’s work amplifies the voices of the marginalized, demanding justice and revolution. Every poem is a protest. With every word, she challenges the status quo and advocates for a world where resilience, resistance, and equity thrive.
June 27th, 2026 | 1 PM | Franklin Park
Join FreeVerse on the KidChella stage at BAMS Festival: Play Playe Edition for Voice. As a homage to Slam poetry, Voice moves beyond performance and into artist development. Performances include choreopoems by Codman Academy’s Theatre Elective students.
Day 2: Voice
Presenting
Codman Academy’s Theatre Elective
Maya Divine
MD is a poet, educator, and founder of Divine Evolution, born and raised in Mattapan. Her artistry lives at the intersection of healing, self-discovery, and divine transformation. Whether on stage or in the classroom, MD uses poetry as a bridge between space and self. Her work invites others to look inward, to feel deeply, and to remember that evolution itself is a sacred process.
Joline Brito
Joliné Brito is an Afro-Dominican spoken word poet and pre-law student at Northeastern University, using her powerful voice to ignite change. As the daughter of immigrant parents, her poetry fearlessly confronts racism, sexism, immigration, and generational trauma within Black and Latinx communities. Featured at TEDx Roxbury, MIT, 617Peak, and Mayor Wu’s campaign, Joliné’s work amplifies the voices of the marginalized, demanding justice and revolution. Every poem is a protest. With every word, she challenges the status quo and advocates for a world where resilience, resistance, and equity thrive.
Day 3: Future
June 28th, 2026 | 3-8 PM | Substation
A public-facing multimedia showcase incorporating live painting to be auctioned. We will have 3 out-of-state feature performances and an open mic.
Presenting
Mello Jones
Mello Jones is a Philadelphia-based wordsmith who attempts to represent the voice of the many who are rarely represented with the hopes of making them feel seen. He has featured for events such as Poetry me, Please, Voices In Power, Busboys and Poets, is featured on the Self Love And Chill tour with Maui the writer, and many more.
Mello recently released his second book “The Up, After The Break-Up” and is currently rebuilding his social media after being banned for using his art to stand to speak against injustice.
Richelle Gemini
A native Houstonian, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs and Community Service from the University of North Texas. A nationally recognized poet, rapper, singer, host, actor, director, writer, and label owner, she embodies the true spirit of an interdisciplinary artist. Through every medium—whether spoken word, film, or music, she authentically channels her life experiences into her art.
With five musical projects, two poetry albums, and one film currently streaming on multiple platforms, she continues to inspire audiences across the nation. Beyond her creative achievements, she is most proud of her role as a mother, balancing artistry and authenticity with grace and power.
Solfull poetry
Solfull Poetry is a Detroit-based writer and performer known for his dynamic stage presence and love-related poetry. An Emmy-nominated poet, he has quickly become a rising voice in the spoken word scene.
Solfull Poetry has captivated audiences with a powerful blend of prose and performance, sharing the stage with hip-hop legend KRS-ONE and performing at notable venues and festivals, including Comerica Park, African World Festival, and M.A.P Fest. Now on his third tour, his work connects deeply with listeners, showcasing a professional and experienced artist ready to deliver an impactful performance.
Charm city slam
Deniero Black is a poet from Baltimore, that has several titles that include: 2017 and 2018’s youth grand slam champion, 3 time Baltimore louder than a bomb grand slam champion, 2017’s and 2018’s pride grand slam champion, and an international grand slam champion of 2016 and 2018. His art covers topics that relate to mental illness, black pain, addiction, and rape culture. From the activism that he has showed through his poetry, he wishes that young black adults won’t be silent to the causes that affect our race.
Deniero Black
Lady Brion is an international spoken word artist, curator, activist, organizer, educator and the executive director of the Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District. During her slam career, she and her team has won several national competitions. Most recently, she became the Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion.
Lady Brion
Keyma exists as a spoken word artist, proudly stubborn Taurus, and chicken box connoisseur born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She holds the titles of Hyperbole Slam Champion of 2019, Brave New Voices Champions with her team in 2018, and 3rd place in the Woman of the World Poetry Slam in both 2022 and 2024. Her words have been featured in partnership with Baltimore Center Stage, Teen Vogue, and MICA. She currently serves as DewMore Baltimore’s Youth Program Coordinator and celebrates her blackness as an extension of God.
Keyma
Black Chakra is a spoken word artist, hip-hop artist, and an author whose talents have been showcased on stages across America. In his time competing in poetry slam competitions, he has been a national poetry slam champion, Texas Grand Slam champion, Southern Fried slam champion and a plethora of others too long to list. Black Chakra embodies the city of Baltimore through aggressive performance and incredible writing.
BLACK CHAKRA
Obsidian has been writing poetry since 2011 and performing spoken word since 2013. Her 1st poetry book titled All My Poems Sad As Fuck was published in 2020. She is Baltimore’s 2019 Youth Poet Laureate. Obsidian was ranked 10th womxn poet in the world in 2023. Winner of 2018 Brave New Voices an international youth grand slam championship and a former member of BCYPT the Baltimore City Youth Poetry Team. Obsidian is the 2023 Cannabis Poet Laureate of Maryland. Obsidian also holds the title of the 2024 SMS Poetry Summit Slam Champion. She is currently 1/5th of Charm City Slam Team and the North Beast Poetry Slam Champion.
Obsidian
Charm City Slam has made a name for itself as one of the most accomplished slam venues in the country. Over the years, the team has won SoFried Poetry Slam, The National Poetry Slam, Rusbelt Poetry Slam, NorthBeast Poetry Slam, and many other competitions. The 2026 team is comprised of Black Chakra, Keyma Flight, Obsidian, Lady Brion, and Deniero Black.