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We are pleased to announce the judges for our WORD - The Front Line Semi-Finals Heat #1 this coming Saturday August 4th at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna. We are so excited to have some incredible poets, artists, and community figures on our judging panel, who are so kindly gifting their time, talents and expertise. This event could not happen without them! Judging a poetry slam is no easy feat, so we wish them all the best! Without further ado, here are 3 of your judges for HEAT #1: SONYA RENEE TAYLOR Sonya Renee Taylor is the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, a digital media and education company committed to radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool for social justice. Sonya has shared her work as an award-winning Performance Poet, Activist, and educator in numerous countries and on major media outlets around the world,reaching hundreds of thousands of people with her commitment to radical self-love and transformation. Sonya continues to perform, speak and facilitate workshops globally. TE KARERE SCARBOROUGH Two time Poetry Idol winner and judge Te Karere Scarborough (Ngāpuhi) is formerly a member of the South Auckland Poets Collective. He has taught and performed poetry internationally and works for the charity Parenting Place. VENTRY PARKER AKA POETIK SUSPEKT Ventry Parker (POETIK SUSPEKT) born 23, March 1988 in Henderson, Auckland NZ, grew up for the better half of his life in Apia, Samoa. As the son of a well-known Samoan entertainer, music has always played a major roll in his upbringing. Though it wasn’t until his early teens that he discovered his unwavering passion for hip hop. As one of the founders of the Samoan hip hop scene and a member of the local group Vital Status, Poetik found an outlet from malicious circumstances through music. Raised between the villages of Upolu and the neighborhoods of South Auckland, the young rapper has now begun to establish himself in the hip hop community as an ambassador of his home, his people and his culture. Alongside the immortal production of Ironmanny, Poetik brings forth a new as well as resurrecting an old style of the art. Staying true to his words and the teachings of his elders, he is a voice for all Polynesians. JENNIFER McKENZIE My name is Jennifer McKenzie and I am 30 years old and proud member of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. I was raised on the North Shore where I attended school and have served my community through my roles with North Shore Youth Council, Students Against Driving Drunk and Rotary. I am still heavily involved in Rotary recently completing my term as President of Takapuna Rotary. Youth Projects and empowering young people is my passion and I am proud to be a judge for WORD. I wish all the participants a very sincere congratulations and best wishes, you should be very proud of your achievements!
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