3rd Annual Night of Poetry Honoring Lucille Clifton

On June 4, 2024 , the Geena Davis Institute held its 3rd Annual Night of Poetry Honoring Lucille Clifton presented by STARZ #takethelead at the Garry Marshall Theatre. The event celebrated the life and legacy of Lucille Clifton, one of the most renowned and beloved poets of our time. Attendees experienced a moving evening of poetry, storytelling, and reflection on Clifton’s powerful work, which continues to inspire people across the globe. The night featured performances from a diverse group of talented artists who honored Clifton’s impact on the world of poetry and beyond.

Speakers and Panelists

• Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning actor and Founder of the Geena Davis Institute
• Madeline Di Nonno, President and CEO, Geena Davis Institute
• Sidney Clifton, daughter of Lucille Clifton and founder of The Clifton House, Head of Creative Animation, Mattel
• Lauren E. Banks, Actor, Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves
• Anjali Bhimani, Award-winning actor, producer and best selling author
• Sufe Bradshaw, Actor, Veep
• Jason George, Actor, Grey's Anatomy, Station 19
• Aida Rodriguez, Comedian, Actor, and Author

Event Highlights

• The event opened with remarks from Geena Davis, followed by readings from some of Clifton’s most beloved poems, including Blessing the Boats and Won’t You Celebrate With Me.
• Sidney Clifton shared personal reflections on her mother’s legacy, including the founding of The Clifton House, an artist sanctuary dedicated to nurturing emerging writers and poets.
• Performances captivated the audience with powerful interpretations of Clifton's poetry, offering personal and emotional connections to the words.

Key Takeaways

1. Resilience Through Poetry: Lucille Clifton’s poetry continues to resonate with audiences for its honesty, vulnerability, and exploration of the human condition. Her ability to transform pain into art was a key theme of the evening.
2. Legacy and Impact: The Clifton House stands as a testament to Lucille Clifton’s enduring influence, providing a space for emerging artists to create and thrive.
3. Unity and Community: The performances and reflections from the event underscored the importance of storytelling as a means of connection, healing, and understanding across diverse backgrounds.

Actionable Insights

• For Writers and Creators: Draw inspiration from Lucille Clifton’s work by embracing vulnerability in storytelling. Her poetry encourages artists to be fearless in confronting difficult truths.
• For Advocates and Educators: Support spaces like The Clifton House, which nurture and empower new generations of artists, fostering creative expression in marginalized communities.
• For Audiences: Engage with poetry and storytelling as a means of understanding diverse perspectives and experiences. Explore how storytelling can inspire action and create social change.

The 3rd Annual Night of Poetry Honoring Lucille Clifton offered a profound evening of reflection and celebration. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation for Clifton’s poetry and its lasting impact. To further explore the transformative power of poetry and storytelling, we encourage you to watch the video clip from the event and consider joining the Geena Davis Institute for access to future events like this.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to presenting sponsor Starz #TakeTheLead for their generous support in making this event possible. Special thanks to our sponsors and in-kind donors: JoySauce, Pocha LA, Wally’s, The Gurin Wines, and Calexo, whose contributions added to the success of the evening.