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..