PITTSBURGH, PA — The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) proudly presents the 10th anniversary celebration of the Poetry Unplugged series with this year’s edition, Poetry Unplugged: Still Dreaming!, sponsored by Citizens—a powerful evening of spoken word honoring the enduring life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Friday, January 16, 2026, this milestone celebration brings together, in AWAACC’s theater, an extraordinary lineup of Pennsylvania-based poets who will speak truth to power, reflect on today’s ever-shifting social climate, and uplift audiences through words rooted in resilience, justice, and hope. For a decade, Poetry Unplugged has served as a platform for cultural truth-telling, artistic excellence, and community healing, and this anniversary program continues that legacy with intention and impact.

The evening is curated and hosted by Orlando Watson, Governor of the Recording Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter and a member of the Academy’s Spoken Word Poetry National Committee, whose leadership and vision continue to elevate spoken word as a vital cultural force.

This year’s program features a stirring blend of artistry, activism, and authentic storytelling, including a special appearance by 2026 GRAMMY®-nominated songwriter Khemist Mayfield of Philadelphia, whose lyrical depth and musicality bridge contemporary poetry and hip-hop in powerful ways.

Joining him on stage are some of Pittsburgh’s most dynamic and respected poets:

  • Diarra Imani
  • Thembisile Gxuluwe
  • Devantae Butler
  • Leslie Ezra Smith
  • Shockie G
  • Mike Smalls, 2025 AWAACC Century Cycle Poetry Slam Champion
  • Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
  • Time: 7:00PM
  • Location: August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Setting the sonic tone for the evening is Selecta, a viral Twitch DJ known for genre-blending sets that amplify energy, emotion, and connection throughout the room. Following the performance, ticketholders are invited to join AWAACC for a celebratory afterparty with DJ and open mic.

Tickets are $25. Visit awaacc.org to purchase.

Poetry Unplugged: Still Dreaming! is sponsored by Citizens.

ABOUT CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $222.7 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.

ABOUT AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a nonprofit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson.

One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the nonprofit organization welcomes more than 100,000 visitors locally and nationally. Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers Speaker Series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today.

Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, visit www.awaacc.org.