Q Summit Mentorship program is an arts-based initiative that combines professional development, mentorship and creative consulting for youth ages 14 to 24 who identify within and/or allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This is a safe space for youth to openly express themselves through a variety of art-forms, including poetry, spoken word and other visual creations. Taught by professional artists and educators, participants can explore their identity and develop their self-expression.
This is an 18-week program that will end with an event showcasing participants’ work during the program. Developed in collaboration with our program mentors, Q Summit seeks to support youth in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies in navigating new changes and creating a safe space to learn, express and develop through art.
2021/22 Mentorship Program
The Q Summit Mentorship is an application-based program for youths who identify within and/or allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and emerging spoken word artists to curate and showcase a body of work.
As this is a professional development and mentorship program, participants who complete this program in its entirety will receive an honorarium of $300.00 in the form of a cheque upon completion. If selected to participate, you will receive a detailed agreement to be signed, stating that attendance and full participation is required in order to receive the honorarium.
Program Objectives
- Expression: Find and amplify your authentic poetic voice.
- Practice: Take part in a series of workshops led by industry professionals where you will learn about / deepen your understanding of what it is to create poetry & spoken word pieces. Learn different styles of poetry, rhythm, timing, editing, presence, breath work, etc.
- Performance: Under the mentorship of professional artists, create written poetry pieces and perform in a final showcase event in the Spring.
- Build Community: Surround yourself with like-minded artists in a safe and welcoming environment.
Into the Queer-Verse: A Q Summit Poetry Showcase
Join the Q Summit poets for Into the Queer-verse, a free live poetry reading on Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 6-8pm!
Covering a range of themes from ancestry & chosen family to fairytales & utopias, and everything Queer in between, the poets have managed to create pure magic through their journeys on and off the page.
Q Summit is a mentorship program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, led by Melly “Belly” Davidson and Martin “No Mess” Gomes. Under the guidance of these two mentors, this year’s 6 participants dedicated their time from October 2021 to March 2022, meeting weekly to develop their poetic voices and spoken word prowess.
All supportive folks are welcome to join virtually and bring good energy for this night of performances!
Into the Queer-Verse | 2021/22 Anthology
Announcing the Q Summit 2021/22 anthology, Into The Queer-Verse! This anthology showcases some of the incredible work developed by participants during the course of the Q Summit 2021/22 program. Designed by En Tze Loh, you can download a digital copy of the anthology HERE.
Download a digital copy HERE.
Previous Years
Q Summit Spring 2021 – learn more about the previous digital anthology, Queer As In Here!
Meet Your Mentors
Melissa (Melly) Davidson
Melissa Davidson is a Queer diasporic writer and mover, with lineage from Lebanon to Jamaica to Canada. They compete in local and International slam competitions like CUPSI and FEMS. Melly is a street dancer and artist educator. They currently live in Tkaronto. Above all, they wish to emote the good kinds of sticky.
Martin Gomes
Martin (he/him/they) is an Afro-Latinx, queer, citrus fruit lovin poet born & based in downtown Toronto. His official poetry journey began under the tutelage of Britta B at JAYU, a charitable organization that shares human rights stories through the arts and engaging conversations. His unofficial journey began with his first exposure to poetry: A Goofy Movie 2 and an episode of Fresh Prince where Will writes poetry under the guise of Raphael DeLaGhetto. Since then, he has gone from student to mentor at JAYU teaching both level 1 and level 2, and the Guelph Humber x JAYU poetry collaboration. He currently runs spoken word & beatboxing workshops with Unity charity. His goal is to create spaces that encourage folks to be their most authentic, genuine selves in a raw, real, “non-Disney” type of way. (He messes with Disney though, don’t get it twisted.)
Program Funder
Q Summit is proudly funded by the Johansen Larsen Foundation. Learn more about the Johansen Larson Foundation by visiting: www.jlfoundation.ca
Social Media
Facebook: @Johansen-Larsen Foundation
Twitter: @jlfoundation2
