SEASON 38 | june 2026
BLACK QUEER EMANCIPATION & ALLIES INVITATIONAL POETRY SLAM
Friday, June 12th, 2026, 7:00pm
Hosted by Ebony Stewart, Award-Winning Poet & Cultural Leader
The Vortex is thrilled to announce the launch of its Inaugural Black Queer Emancipation & Allies Invitational Poetry Slam, an electrifying new event dedicated to celebrating Black queer artistry, liberation, and community through the power of spoken word. The slam will be hosted by nationally acclaimed poet, playwright, and 2017 Woman of the World Poetry Slam Champion, Ebony Stewart.
Timed in honor of the spirit of the Juneteenth Emancipation, this event creates an intentional platform that centers Black queer voices while welcoming supportive allies who believe in the transformative force of art. The Black Queer Emancipation & Allies Invitational Poetry Slam highlights stories of freedom, joy, resistance, memory, and imagination—inviting the Austin community to gather, listen, and celebrate.
The Black Queer Emancipation & Allies Invitational Poetry Slam will feature a lineup of dynamic poets competing for a total of $500 in prizes.
Poets and judges have been selected and the community of poetry lovers are invited to attend, cheer, and be transformed by the artistry unfolding on stage.
The Vortex continues its legacy as a home for boundary-pushing, socially engaged performance art. This new slam extends that mission by creating a platform rooted in cultural pride, queer visibility, and the power of the spoken word.
About Ebony Stewart: Ebony Stewart, most affectionately known as Eb or Gully, is an author and international touring multidisciplinary artivist. As a Black womxn writer and performance artist, Ebony Stewart harnesses the power of creativity to explore and challenge societal norms, personal identity, and the intersectionality of her experiences. With a spellbinding blend of storytelling, verbal fitness, and raw emotion, she captivates audiences, inviting them into a world where vulnerability becomes strength and authenticity reigns supreme..
Competitors
Akeem Olaj
Akeem Olaj is a Father, Poet, Actor, Playwright, Architect, Martial Artist and Activist from, New Orleans, La now based in Austin, TX.
Breana Miller
Breana Miller is a Black Southern poet and former youth slam performer whose work explores Black womanhood, storytelling, and giving voice to stories too often left untold.
Gigi
GiGi Albrittain is a Dallas raised poet, singer, songwriter, and actress . She is a current student at Austin Community College pursuing a theatre/creative writing degree. She has self published her poetry book, Luna Bella, on Amazon, and always thrives to become a better writer, better actor, and better human.
Jasmine Games
Jasmine Games is a Black queer poet, theatre maker, and educator in Austin; award-winning artist and Co-Executive Director of The Poet House.
Marlie
Dallas-born poet using poetry to heal, writing for anyone who’s ever needed reassurance and a place to feel seen.
Micailah OCaii
With a Masters Degree in Communication and African American Rhetoric, Micailah OCaii uses scholarly work, music, & poetic performance to champion a better world for all.
Ms.Trin-I-Tee
Ms. Trin-I-Tee is a Houston poet and activist, UT Austin graduate, performer, and curator who challenges colonialism and institutionalized racism while organizing poetry-centered community events and dreaming revolutionary futures.
Scottie B.
Scottie B. is an East Austin based "poet-occasional" who has featured in Black Queer Renaissance and Red Light Lit, and won Austin Poetry Slam’s 2025 Black AF contest.
Tender René
René Otero is a classically trained communicator and educator with an intimate connection to Austin nightlife and art blending his experience in bartending and ballroom.
judges
Jazz Bell
Jazz Bell has been involved in poetry workshops, performances, and spaces for over 10 years. They are passionate about the arts, disability justice, and friendship.
Jomar Valentin
2x National Poetry Slam Finalist. Former Slam Master, Austin Poetry Slam. At slams, Jomar values authenticity in people, strength from real stories, & preparation in performance.
Lizz Lewis
Native Texan, 80s baby, your stylist’s favorite stylist. Former slam poet and recording artist. Wife, mother, sister, and rebel with creative roots deeply in Austin.
Unique Pulley
Unique, a native of Washington, DC is a professionally trained dancer, designer, stylist, and empowerment coach whose work centers around storytelling, self-expression, and identity, bringing an intentional and artistic lens, shaped by her love for the arts.