Location: Graham Auditorium
Registration is required.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with special performances hosted and curated by poet and professor Unique Robinson. Robinson will kick off the program with a selection of poetry  that explores the theme of actualizing the “presence of justice.” Audiences can expect a mix of musical performances and poetry readings from Baltimore locals Black Chakra, Esi Abercrombie, and The Storage Unit Collective. Following the program, join the artists in the Walters Cafe for a light reception.

REGISTER

• 2 p.m.: Unique Robinson
• 2:15 p.m.: Esi Abercrombie
• 2:30 p.m.: Black Chakra
• 2:45 p.m.: The Storage Unit Collective
• 3:00 p.m.: Reception in the Walters Cafe
• 3:30 p.m.: Program ends

Available resources: Assistive Listening Devices, Accessible Seating, Sensory Kits
Accessibility resources and accommodations are available for programs and events. Please email [email protected] with questions and requests. We will make every effort to provide accommodations. Visit our accessibility web page for more information.

About the Artists

Esi Abercrombie is a singer/songwriter, voice teacher, and DJ from Columbia, Maryland. She fell in love with singing at the age of 2. At age 9, she began performing at church, school functions, and karaoke venues. She was admitted into the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2012 and has since become a professional DJ; performed at several queer events, including Baltimore Pride; and released her debut music project, Worth the Ride (EP), which is currently available on all music streaming platforms. As she progresses in her artistic journey, she hopes to use her voice to shed light on sociopolitical issues such as race and sexuality. She is excited to be a part of such an honorable event that shares the goal of inclusivity and equity for marginalized groups.

Black Chakra is a spoken-word and hip-hop artist whose talents have been showcased on stages across the United States. In his time competing in poetry slam competitions, he has been a national poetry slam champion, Texas Grand Slam champion, Southern Fried slam champion, and a plethora of others. Black Chakra embodies the City of Baltimore through aggressive performances and memorable writing. Aside from his distinct writing style, what the artist takes most pride in is being a youth poetry teacher for DewMore Baltimore. There, he helps Baltimore youths cultivate their talent and showcase it on national stages.

Unique Robinson is a poet/emcee, professor, community educator, host, and proud Baltimore native. Her work engages the power of language to transmute systemic harm. Robinson is a lifelong activist with 20+ years of performance experience. In 2022, Robinson was featured in Baltimore magazine’s GameChangers issue. She has released a variety of books, zines, short films, and musical projects, which are available on all music streaming platforms. Her second book of poetry, (not) in service, published by Homie House Press, was released in 2024. Unique is the Director of MICA’s MFA Community Arts Program and is a writing workshop facilitator for intergenerational communities, which promotes healing through creativity.

The Storage Unit Collective was established in 2016 by Raymond J. Spence in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The origin of the collective’s unique name is related to the physical space in which the collective rehearses. Fellow musicians would frequently stop by to collaborate and with that in mind, Spence created the collective to offer a place for musicians to organically create without the stress of committing to a group. While many musicians have collaborated since the inception of the collective, its core members are Raymond J. Spence (drums), Sheritta “Love” Harris (vocals), Camille “C.Jai” Scott (keys), and Jordan “Pimpspy” Estevao (bass). Since 2016, the collective has performed in numerous venues, most notably Bethesda Theater, Busboys and Poets, The Crown Plaza “Lights Out Hampton Roads” series with Jay Lang, Keystone Korner, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Currently, The Storage Unit Collective is the house band for Motor House’s open jam session, Vibe Check Jam Session.