Poetry Slam Winner is Vineland Poet
Compelling “Freedom Rhymer” poet Tony “TJ” Jordan of Vineland recently captured first place in the second annual mental health edition poetry contest in Metuchen, NJ, run by Left Turn Village. Inspired by the “Freedom Riders” of the Black Civil Rights Movement, Freedom Rhymers is a collective of poets and verbal artists. .
“My main goal when I perform is to show people who go through similar mental struggles that they are not alone,” said Jordan, 25, “And from the reactions of people who came up to me after the fact, I did just that. I’m grateful for this amazing opportunity.”
December Atlas, 38, of Perth Amboy secured second place and Thomas “Ghoodlife” Pender 41, from South Plainfield placed third. In addition to the top three winners dividing the prize money, all Freedom Rhymers received designer underwear courtesy of sponsor CHULO Underwear.
Each poet delivered five-minute original performances delving into mental health themes.
“This marks our third Freedom Rhymers event, and the second focusing on mental health,” Dr. Tyree Oredein, Left Turn Village owner and Freedom Rhymers creator, stated. “We are seriously considering establishing this as an annual tradition because, once again, participants expressed immense gratitude for a safe space to openly discuss mental health.
“This is vital because pervasive mental health stigma consistently deters individuals from seeking necessary help, fueled by the fear of judgment, discrimination, and internalized shame. It’s a sobering reality that less than half of those experiencing a mental health condition receive treatment, largely attributed to this very stigma,” he said.
Following the competition, audience members, including one virtual caller, shared their own pieces. Poets explored a diverse spectrum of topics, including anxiety, substance use, depression, and stigma’s broader impact on mental well-being.
Left Turn Village, a Black and woman-owned, queer-centered public health and social justice company, champions the creation of safer, more inclusive, and culturally competent spaces for marginalized communities through extensive programming.
