Joy is a founding member of The Spoken Word Ensemble. The Spoken Word began as a performance poetry ensemble in 1988. The performing group has presented at schools, museums, conferences, community groups, universities and festivals throughout metropolitan Washington, DC. The group has since grown to offer workshops, classes and activities that address needs in the community through art and culture. Recognition for outstanding work in this arena has come from The Mayor’s Art Award for Service to the Handicapped in 1992 and the Mayor’s Award for Community Service in 2003.
The Spoken Word continues to perform, celebrating and updating the ancient African oral tradition with shows that entertain and inspire. With singing, storytelling, poetry, and percussion music, we do stage performances, school assemblies and writing workshops that engage the audience, stimulate the soul, and generate joy.