Our Story of Us

our story of us © 2021 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Trapeta Mayson, 2400 Kensington Avenue. Photo by Steve Weinik.

 

  • our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • our story of us © 2021 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Trapeta Mayson, 2400 Kensington Avenue. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

About the Project 

Curated by Ryan Strand Greenberg, Kensington Healing Verse is an evolution of Trapeta B. Mayson’s 2020–2021 Philadelphia Poet Laureate project, Healing Verse Philly Poetry Line.

The Workshops

Throughout 2021, Philadelphia Poet Laureate Trapeta B. Mayson held poetry workshops with East and West Kensington residents, elementary school students, and individuals impacted by substance use and housing insecurity. These workshops used poetry as a tool for sharing, listening, and reflection about community, daily life, and new pathways to healing for the Kensington Community.

our story of us dedication, December 15, 2021. Photo by Steve Weinik.

The Artwork 

The participants’ poems capture memories, challenges, and aspirations of life in Kensington that were combined into a group poem reflecting a shared vision for community and healing. This collective poem was transformed into a neon sign and lifted to the rooftop of 2400 Kensington Avenue to serve as a beacon of strength, hope, and healing for the residents of Kensington.

Write your own healing verse by submitting here.

Funders 

Niarchos Foundation
Hummingbird Foundation
City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

Partners 

The Kensington Community
First Stop Recovery
Kfish Comestible
Community Center at Visitation
Hunter Elementary School
Kensington Corridor Trust
Head and Hand BookStore
Fireball Printing, Impact Services
NKCDC
WeCan!