About the event:

Art Beyond Borders: Storytelling, Culture, and Belonging 

Join Redmond Poet Laureate Nancy Mburu for an inspiring discussion and reading on the power of story, culture, and community.

Nancy will share insights into the Redmond Community Storytelling Project, exploring how poetry serves as a vital tool for advocacy and amplifying immigrant voices across our city. Through personal reflections and poetry, Nancy delves into what "home" truly means when shaped by diverse heritage and shared experiences.

Write & Share:

The session features a special reading of Nancy’s poetry, reflecting on a upbringing surrounded by rich cultural influences. Together, we’ll explore how art becomes culture, how culture transforms into art, and how creative expression can bridge differences to transcend the barriers of language and culture.

About the featured reader:

Nancy Mburu is the Poet Laureate of Redmond, a performing poet and author whose work explores culture, immigration, gender, and race through the lens of the Black diaspora. Born and raised in Kenya, she weaves storytelling into her poetry to examine belonging and what it means to call a place home. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington and trained through fellowships at Mineral School, Jackstraw Cultural Center, and Hugo House. Alongside her artistic practice, she works as a communications strategist. On stage and in her community, she channels her poetry as a tool for advocacy, amplifying immigrant voices and promoting social and economic justice.

What to Expect at PPN Gatherings

We gather at Centro Cultural Mexicano in Redmond, WA on the last Friday of each month from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

• Free & Open to All: Every gathering features a main reader and an open mic.

• Open-Mic Format: Open to poetry or prose (typically 3–4 minutes per reader). S

• After-Event Socializing: We often head to a nearby restaurant afterward to continue connecting and enjoying great conversation.