Upcoming slam Dates:
Congratulations to the 2011 bull city slam team:

(left to right) Cj, Dasan Ahanu, G, Elliot Axiom, Zak
Dasan Ahanu is a
public speaker, organizer, workshop
facilitator, poet, spoken word performer, songwriter, writer, emcee, and
loyal
Hip Hop head born and raised in Raleigh,
North Carolina. In addition to
performing, Dasan has hosted many poetry, jazz, Hip Hop, and cultural
arts
events across the state. As an actor, Dasan has been a cast member of
the
hip-hopera, "Right is Right" and a Harlem Renaissance production,
"Images", which was produced by National Ensemble Theater and
featured at the National Black Theatre Festival. He is one of the
founders of
Black Poetry Theatre (BPT) and has been a cast member in four
productions. Two
of BPT's productions, "Herstory of Love" and "Definition of a Hero",
Dasan wrote and co-directed. Also an active participant in poetry slam,
Dasan
has competed regionally and nationally for six years as a founding
member of Durham, NC's
own Bull City Slam Team. Ahanu is a lyricist with a thirst for being on
stage.
George
Yamazawa Jr. is a first generation Japanese-American poet/emcee from
Durham, NC. Raised in a Buddhist household while learning the nature of
the Bible Belt, “G” quickly understood how to embrace his differences
and take pride in his culture. Heavily influenced by hip hop, G first
began writing rhymes at 12 years old but never truly considered himself a
writer until he found poetry.
CJ Suitt is a poet and facilitator working to elevate youth through spoken word poetry. CJ believes in the power of poetry to transform young people’s lives and its ability to be an outlet for youth globally who may not be heard in their day to day interactions. Through the recently acquired fiscal sponsorship of the St. Joseph's Historic Foundation in Durham, NC he is the Director of the Sacrificial Poets; a youth poetry organization. He coaches The Sacrificial Poets youth “slam” team, which competes regularly at the international Brave New Voices Poetry Festival that was recently featured on HBO. CJ is highly active in the community, facilitating intergenerational events with social justice themes, teaching poetry workshops and offering education projects at a group home for teens awaiting trial. He recently wrote, co-produced and acted in a theatrical reenactment of “The Freedom Rides-A Journey of Reconciliation” which brought together representatives from prominent national civil rights organizations, state officials and student groups. CJ is dedicated to being a creative catalyst for the highest potential of a dynamic generation not afraid to speak truth to power. 
Wendy Jones joined the Bull City Slam Team in 2009
to serve in the capacity of Team Manager. In 2011 she became co-slammaster. She currently lives &
works in Greensboro, NC where she has resided for the past 13 years. She
is the owner of Biwaha Entertainment Management Company which manages
several poets throughout the country. About the Poetry Slam:
The Jambalaya Soul Slam was started in 2002 by Dasan Ahanu and Ray Gorham. It moved to the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham in 2005 and has been supported by the St. Joseph's Historic Foundation ever since. Each month the slam brings together the best poets in the area to compete for a cash prize and an invitation to Grand Slam Finals where the Bull City Slam Team (BCST) is picked. The Jambalaya Soul Slam also has featured some of the best poets in the country each month. In 2009, the organizers of the slam hosted the Southeastern Regional Poetry Slam in Durham, NC. Named Southern Fried, it is the largest regional competition in the country.
The BCST has represented the Triangle in regional and national competition for 7 years now. The BCST has won a regional championship and finished as high as 3rd at the National Poetry Slam. It's team members have won regional individual championships and have ranked as high as 10th at the Individual World Poetry Slam. The BCST values being part of a rich tradition of performance poetry in North Carolina.
BCST members participate in creative writing and performance programming at the Hayti Heritage Center throughout the year. As representatives of the foundation, the BCST helps facilitate workshops, host cultural arts events, and coordinate community programs with local partners. One of the goals of both the slam and the team is to not only be a representative of the community but also an active participant in the community.
What is a Poetry Slam?
I am glad you asked. Slam is a form of performance poetry that follows very specific rules in its delivery. Poets are given three minutes to step up to the microphone and perform one original poem of their own construction. No props, costumes, or outside accompaniment are allowed. After the poem is finished, it is given a numerical score between zero and ten by a panel of five judges who have been selected from the audience.
Poetry Slams are interactive events and the audience plays an important role in the process. Slam is about the idea that the opinion of everyone about a poem is a valid opinion. One of the goals of a poetry slam is to challenge the authority of anyone who claims absolute authority over literary value. No poet is beyond critique, as everyone is dependent upon the goodwill of the audience.