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'''Brian Porter "Voice Porter" Hawkins''' (born c. [[1979]]; died [[August 25]], [[2021]]) was the founder of the [[Ensley Alive]] and the [[Ensley Color Project]] and the host of "[[Bards & Brews]]" at the [[Birmingham Public Library]]. | '''Brian Porter "Voice Porter" Hawkins''' (born c. [[1979]]; died [[August 25]], [[2021]]) was the founder of the [[Ensley Alive]] and the [[Ensley Color Project]] and the much-loved host of "[[Bards & Brews]]" at the [[Birmingham Public Library]]. | ||
Hawkins grew up in [[Wylam]] and graduated from [[Ensley High School]]. He and his cousin [[Sherman Benton]] were leaders in a mural campaign organized by the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]] at local schools. One notable mural, honoring a teacher who had died, was completed at [[Lee Elementary School]]. | Hawkins grew up in [[Wylam]] and graduated from [[Ensley High School]]. He and his cousin [[Sherman Benton]] were leaders in a mural campaign organized by the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]] at local schools. One notable mural, honoring a teacher who had died, was completed at [[Lee Elementary School]]. | ||
Hawkins enrolled at Mississippi State University and studied poetry while completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in [[2001]]. He began performing poetry as " | Hawkins enrolled at Mississippi State University and studied poetry while completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in [[2001]]. He began performing poetry as "AFreeVoice", often at "Phat Tuesdays" at the [[Highnote Rock N' Horse Lounge|High Note Lounge]]. He later shortened his stage name to "The Voice" and "Voice", and then, adding his middle name, to "Voice Porter". He led open mics at [[Carver Theater]], [[Safari Cup]] and [[Java and Jams]] before Bards & Brews launched in [[2009]]. | ||
Hawkins was a former president of [[Norwood Learning Gardens]] and vice-president of [[We Are Rtists]] (W.A.R.) which promotes collaborative projects and business skills for artists. He worked most days from the [[Starbucks Coffee]] location at [[Five Points West]]. | Hawkins was a former president of [[Norwood Learning Gardens]] and vice-president of [[We Are Rtists]] (W.A.R.) which promotes collaborative projects and business skills for artists. He worked most days from the [[Starbucks Coffee]] location at [[Five Points West]]. | ||
Revision as of 12:56, 25 August 2021
Brian Porter "Voice Porter" Hawkins (born c. 1979; died August 25, 2021) was the founder of the Ensley Alive and the Ensley Color Project and the much-loved host of "Bards & Brews" at the Birmingham Public Library.
Hawkins grew up in Wylam and graduated from Ensley High School. He and his cousin Sherman Benton were leaders in a mural campaign organized by the Birmingham Museum of Art at local schools. One notable mural, honoring a teacher who had died, was completed at Lee Elementary School.
Hawkins enrolled at Mississippi State University and studied poetry while completing a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 2001. He began performing poetry as "AFreeVoice", often at "Phat Tuesdays" at the High Note Lounge. He later shortened his stage name to "The Voice" and "Voice", and then, adding his middle name, to "Voice Porter". He led open mics at Carver Theater, Safari Cup and Java and Jams before Bards & Brews launched in 2009.
Hawkins was a former president of Norwood Learning Gardens and vice-president of We Are Rtists (W.A.R.) which promotes collaborative projects and business skills for artists. He worked most days from the Starbucks Coffee location at Five Points West.
Hawkins was awarded a "Game Changer Spear Award" during the 2018 Vulcans Community Awards. In 2019 he was recruited to participate in the brand's "Upstanders" storytelling campaign. A video of him reciting his poem "To Be Human" was played prior to Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson's keynote address at the Starbucks Leadership Experience.
References
- "I Create Birmingham: Brian Hawkins AKA Voice Porter" (January 7th, 2016) Create Birmingham
- Worthy, Ariel (January 18, 2018) "The Creativity of Brian ‘Voice’ Porter Hawkins: artist, poet, musician, gardener." The Birmingham Times
- Shamsi-Basha, Karim (February 23, 2018) "Brian Porter Hawkins is an Alabama Bright Light triggering a renaissance through Ensley Alive." Alabama Newscenter
- Swain, Sharron Mendel (November 8, 2019) "5 reasons why Birmingham needs to know Brian Voice Porter Hawkins." Bham Now
External links
- "To Be Human" video at stories.starbucks.com