La Soul Renaissance

La Soul Renaissance La Soul Renaissance is a visionary collective providing socially conscious spoken word and music events, conferences, workshops, radio, video, & clothing

07/03/2026

It was a blessing to have Sara Lopes aka Sara Lopes once again bless La Soul Renaissance at yesterday’s 4th Annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival at the historic Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall.

We deeply appreciate Sara’s humor, presence, voice, and the pride and dignity she carries in her identities, her community, her people, and our people. It was an honor to have her share poetry with us again and help make the night so meaningful.

Sara Lopes is an African/Cape Verdean/African American professional with 15 years of experience in education. She comes from a strong and civically engaged Cape Verdean family rooted in hard work, integrity, and community.
A proud Providence native, Sara has dedicated her talents to serving low-income and underrepresented communities. She is also a business owner and consultant who helps organizations build programs, processes, and protocols.

As a mother of two, Sara is passionate about supporting inner-city youth. She is a URI alumna with a background in African American Studies and Human Development, holds a master’s in education from the College of Saint Rose, and currently serves as Co-Chair of URI’s Alumni of Color Network.
In 2021, Sara launched OUTSPOKEN, a poetry series created as a safe space for artists to speak power to truth.
Sara strongly believes:

Truth Matters.
Words Matter.
Sharing Matters.

Thank you, Sara, for your words, your laughter, your spirit, and your contribution to our Cape Verdean Poetry Festival. 🇨🇻

07/03/2026

Jamilyn Soares aka Jamilyn Soares sharing a beautiful tribute to her father the blessed and gifted musician Carlton Pina last night at ’s 4th Annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival.

Jamilyn Soares is a creative consultant, event contributor, multidisciplinary artist, and plongtime community advocate with 25+ years in youth development, workforce development, cultural programming, visual storytelling, and purpose-driven community work.

Through her art, organizing, and creative practice, Jamilyn has continued to ssupport spaces that center community, culture, healing, imagination, and collective growth.

Thank you Jamilyn for blessing our community and sharing at La Soul Renaissance felt like a reunion.

07/03/2026

“When I perform poetry, when I write poetry every word I write I am writing for the women in my bloodline that did not have the chance to” Maize

Maia Livramento, also known as Maize, last night at 4th annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival at the historic Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall.

Maia Livramento is a Cape Verdean/Native American visual and spoken word artist born, raised, and rooted in New Bedford, MA. A master of performance poetry and slam, Maia took 1st place in the 2023 Juneteenth Virtual Poetry Slam and continues to command stages with power and purpose.

She served as a judge for the New Bedford Art Museum’s Echoes of Expression Poetry Contest and is a Team Leader and Program Director with 3rd Eye Youth Empowerment, using her voice to uplift and transform.

Maia’s artistry also promotes sobriety and recovery, infusing her performances with truth and healing. She was featured in the short film “Love Letters for New Bedford” by filmmaker Ethan de Aguiar.

07/03/2026

“Un voz pa Vozinha” by Jeannie Nunes - last night at ’s 4th Annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival at historic Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall in New Bedford.

Jeannie Nunes is a Cape Verdean mother, writer, poet, and analog girl living in a digital world, will be sharing poetry at La Soul Renaissance’s 4th Annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival.

Born and raised in Boston, MA, Jeannie uses her own life experiences to explore issues centered around the Black diaspora. She was a member of the 2015 Lizard Lounge National Slam Poetry Team.

Jeannie has performed at venues such as The Paramount Theatre in Boston, Harvard University, and The Nuyorican Cafe in New York City. She was also a featured poet at the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Cape Verdean Poetry Festival, and we were honored to welcome her back to the stage.

07/03/2026

“Don’t forget from where you came” Sophia Silva

La Soul Renaissance is grateful to Sophia Silva | Storyteller for once again blessing our Cape Verdean Poetry Festival with her poetry last night at the historic Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall.

Sophia Silva is a first-generation Cape Verdean American born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. A true renaissance woman, Sophia is a screenwriter, playwright, actress, poet, and emcee. She was the first Cape Verdean rapper signed to Lusafrica at 15 years old. At the label based in Paris, France, she was labelmates with Cape Verdean icon Cesária Évora.

On Lusafrica, Sophia was also a member of the duo “Cowrie” and released the album “Bem Criola.” Sophia was also a featured emcee on Fred D Lima’s album, as well as on Elji Beatzkilla’s second album, and two of Lights Out DJ’s projects.

Sophia has performed internationally and nationally at Cape Verdean festivals and concerts and has opened up for acclaimed artists like Erykah Badu. Most recently, she was the writer, producer, and director of the one-woman show , and of the web series short The Girls in 3C.

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