This Wednesday, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at MLK Magnet High School hosted their second “Breaking Boundaries” event which provided a platform for collective performances by students of different backgrounds and cultures. The acts included spoken word and poetry, singing, and comedy.
Co-president Sumaya Muhamed, junior at MLK, has been at the foreground of the Breaking Boundaries events, advertising relentlessly and organizing the performers and acts. She has gained notability for her past spoken word performances, including winning first place in the Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry and Essay Contest in the Vanderbilt MLK Commemorative Series. As a spoken word veteran, Sumaya helped promote this Breaking Boundaries, seeking talented performers and urging fellow students to watch.
Camille Greer, the Program and Operations Manager at Southern Word, says she was excited to support the youth and their voice. Southern Word is an organization which has previously supported the MSA’s first event by providing input and supplying the performances of their poets. Ms. Greer helps organize the schedules for Southern Word’s residencies, events, and programs and does bookkeeping. She anticipates the Southern Word’s High School Poetry Grand Slam on next Saturday, in which Sumaya will participate.
Another featured guest was Sheba Karim, a published author of three young adult, coming-of-age novels. She shared an excerpt of her novel That Thing We Call A Heart, a young adult story centered around a young girl’s, named Shabnam Qureshi, tumultuous friendship with her best friend Farah who begins wearing a hijab. A wonderful author and performer, MSA appreciates Ms. Karim’s visit to the event.
One young poet, Iman Omer, performed a spoken word about her personal struggle concerning anxiety and stage fright. Her performance was heart-wrenching, expressing her deepest emotions and criticisms of this weakness. Tonight was her second performance in Breaking Boundaries, and she was “extremely honored to present for this welcoming community.”
Sumaya and fellow co-president Sondos Elhulu believed the first Breaking Boundaries event had good turnout, great support from the audience, and much food. Before the night began, they were already optimistic of the growing variety in talent and fresh acts. They hope that MSA thrives and the Breaking Boundaries events continue into next year and beyond.
i am melina 