What do you think of when you hear the word “poetry”? What one might not imagine is a black man from the ghetto of Stockton, California, pouring his soul and the story of Christ out to a crowd who is moved to tears by his message. That is the kind of poetry Brandon Leake brings with him wherever he goes.
Leake will be coming to Northwestern this month as a part of the series for Black History Month. On Feb. 26, Leake will be taking the hour-long Tuesday chapel slot, as well as the 10 a.m. Ned Talk the following day. Campus Dean of Christian Formation, Mark DeYounge, had much to say about how excited they were to have Brandon speaking here.
“I’m hopeful that Brandon’s witness, his gifts as a spoken word artist, his life experience and his passion will all translate a message for our students that will encourage us to more faithfully follow Christ,” DeYounge said.
According to his official website, Brandon Leake is a poet and artistic visionary, who through “a strong home life and some divine intervention, ” found himself at Simpson University where he felt a powerful call to start something on campus for people who couldn’t speak their hearts through only conversation. Leake began a small poetry group known as Called to Move (CTM). It began with a few artists just trying their best while supporting each other and since then has blossomed into an enormous journey of inspiring people all across the nation.
Leake’s debut album is titled “In My Thoughts.” He has spent the better part of two years traveling, performing and speaking into the hearts of those whose voices often feel ignored. He has spoken at many Christian Youth events, high schools and poetry conferences. Leake has brought many people to Christ, and his website proudly displays quotes from those who saw the love of Jesus through Leake’s poetry.
When asked what theme Leake would speak on, DeYounge replied, “Brandon will be calling us to consider more fully our identity in Christ and what this calls us to as we engage culture. On Tuesday night, in partnership with student activities, Brandon will be joining our own student body for a poetry slam event.”
There’s incredible power in poetry when a person can give up their conversational cadence and speak what their heart is truly feeling. People can be moved to tears, love and sacrifice through the words that the heart makes. Leake is a poet for Christ and his message is sure to be powerful.
Additionally, stay tuned to the student activities council for information regarding the poetry slam. It is not something you’ll want to miss.
