Hall of Fame

The Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam Hall of Fame

These people have been a big part of the Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam.  Without these people, there would not be a Poetry Jam as we know it, if at all.


Patricia Smith

Patricia Smith

Jeff Robinson asked Patricia for advice when he had the idea in 1995 of having music accompany poets at a weekly venue.  Patricia was then the host of the Boston Poetry Slam held at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge MA.  The Jeff Robinson Trio performed with Patricia at Scullers and other local jazz venues before she left for NYC and the trio also recorded with Patricia on Rounder Records

Called “a testament to the power of words to change lives,” Patricia Smith is a renaissance artist of unmistakable signature, recognized as a force in the fields of poetry, playwriting, fiction, performance and creative collaboration.

She is the author of six critically-acknowledged volumes of poetry, including Shoulda Been Jimi Savannah, winner of the 2014 Rebekah Bobbitt Prize from the Library of Congress, the 2013 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize from the Academy American Poets and the Phillis Wheatley Award in Poetry; Blood Dazzler (a National Book Award finalist), and Teahouse of the Almighty (a National Poetry Series winner), all from Coffee House Press; Close to Death and Big Towns, Big Talk, both from Zoland Books, and Life According to Motown from Tia Chucha Press. She also edited the crime fiction anthology Staten Island Noir.

Her other books include Africans in America (Harcourt Brace), a companion volume to the groundbreaking four-part PBS history series, and the children’s book, Janna and the Kings, a Lee & Low Books New Voices Award winner.

Patricia’s work has appeared in Poetry (including the journal’s 100th anniversary edition), The Paris Review, Granta, Tin House, TriQuarterly, poemmemoirstory, Ecotone, Able Muse and many other journals, and in dozens of groundbreaking anthologies–including Best American Poetry, Best American Essays, Villanelles, Killer Verse–Poems of Mayhem and Murder, American Tensions–Literary Identity and the Search for Justice, and 100 Best African American Poems. Her contribution to Staten Island Noir, the story “When They Are Done With Us” won the Robert L. Fish Award from the Mystery Writers of America (for best debut story in the genre) and is upcoming in Best American Mystery Stories 2013. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, for her poems “The Way Pilots Walk” and “Laugh Your Troubles Away!” In the summer of 2012, she was awarded fellowships to both Yaddo and the McDowell Colony, where she worked in a studio once occupied by James Baldwin.

Recognized as one of the world’s most formidable performers, Patricia has read her work at venues round the world, including the Poets Stage in Stockholm, Urban Voices in South Africa, Rotterdam’s Poetry International Festival, the Aran Islands International Poetry and Prose Festival and on tour in Germany, Austria and Holland. In the U.S., she’s performed at the National Book Festival, Carnegie Hall, the Dodge Poetry Festival, Bumbershoot, the Folger Shakespeare Library and St. Mark’s Poetry Project, sharing the stage with noted writers such as Adrienne Rich, Sharon Olds, Rita Dove, Joyce Carol Oates, Allen Ginsberg, Walter Mosley, Gwendolyn Brooks, Billy Collins, Galway Kinnell and “Lord of the Rings” star Viggo Morgensen. She has collaborated with Boston stalwart Philip Pemberton (currently lead vocalist of Roomful of Blues) and the blues band Bop Thunderous, and as an occasional vocalist with the stellar improvisational jazz groups Paradigm Shift and Bill Cole’s Untempered Ensemble. Patricia is a four-time national individual champion of the notorious and wildly popular Poetry Slam, the most successful competitor in slam history. She was featured in the nationally-released film “Slamnation,” and appeared on the award-winning HBO series “Def Poetry Jam.”

Recordings of Patricia’s work can be found on the CD “Always in the Head” as well as in the compilations “Grand Slam,” “A Snake in the Heart” “By Someone’s Good Graces” and “Lip.” A short film of her performing the poem “Undertaker,” produced by Tied to the Tracks Films, won awards at the Sundance and San Francisco Film Festivals and earned a prestigious Cable Ace Award as part of the Lifetime Network’s first annual Women’s Film Festival. As a budding voiceover artist, she was the radio voice of the Oil of Olay Total Effects product line.

The book Blood Dazzler was the basis for a dance/theater production which sold out a week-long series of performances at New York’s Harlem Stage. The Play Company in New York City produced “Professional Suicide,” a one-woman show that got its start while Smith was writer-in-residence at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and a selection of Patricia’s poetry was also produced as a one-woman play by Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott and performed at both Boston University Playwrights Theater and the historic Trinidad Theater Workshop. Another play, based on Life According to Motown, was staged by Company One Theater in Hartford, Ct., and reviewed favorably in The New York Times.

An accomplished and sought-after instructor of poetry, performance and creative writing, Smith appears often at creative conferences and residencies, customizes workshops for all age groups and is available for intensive individual instruction. She is a Cave Canem faculty member, a professor of English at CUNY/College of Staten Island and a faculty member of the Sierra Nevada MFA program.

Iyeoka Okoawo

Iyeoka Okoawo

Iyeoka is one of the original Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam Team members.  The only poet to have 10 consecutive years on the team.  She has grown into an international recording and touring artist.

Nigerian-American poet, recording artist and TED Fellow, Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo has completed recording her second album, Gold, for US-based label Underground Sun. The new 13-song collection of work is to be released worldwide on July 1, 2016.

The album was recorded in Venice, California over the last year. Key songs include the inspirational Thunder, Hurricane and Akomen of Udomi; a song dedicated to the captured girls in Nigeria. Similar to the last full length effort by the writing & producing team Iyeoka and producer/ songwriter David Franz, the album captures an eclectic mix of afrobeat, pop, jazz, dance and rock. Sinnerman is an ode and nod to the great Nina Simone who also covers the song.  Sweet Song features an award winning poem.

Although a resident of Boston MA, Iyeoka spends many months in Hawaii where the core of her band Rock By Funk Tribe call their home base. It was in Hawaii where the hypnotic and melodic songs Who Would Follow and Gold were created and came to life. The album also includes the single  Every Second Every Hour which was released in May 2015.

A few of Iyeokas many accolades include recipient of 2010 TED Global Fellow and winner of 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion. 2016 brings her back to TED to host a conference in June. Her family started and runs the Amenawon Foundation to help less fortunate people in her home country of Nigeria. This is a repeating theme in many of her poems and songs.

Iyeoka means I want to be respected in her native Esan language and the artist is the true embodiment of her name. Daughter of Nigerian-born parents who both hold Doctorate degrees from Boston University, Iyeoka was a practicing pharmacist before launching her career as a poet, singer, activist and educator. By channeling her culture and ancestral influences, she delivers an authentic and inspiring message of healing through her expression in the arts.

Iyeoka has toured in support of artists such as Femi Kuti, Zap Mama and Soul Live, as well as played several musical festivals throughout 2014 and 2015 including Cully Jazz Festival, Colours Festival, Afro Pfingsten, and Helsinki Festival to name a few. The buzz surrounding her poetry has also garnered her national attention through performances at the TBS Trumpet Awards, the Sullivan Honors Awards at the Kennedy Center and Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on HBO.

Dr. Omekongo Dibingo The UPstander

Oprah and Omekongo

“Why settle for outstanding when you can be UPstanding?”
Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is the UPstander. His life’s mission is to inspire all across the globe to take a stand when they witness an injustice, no matter how small or large. He is a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of cross cultural communication at American University. His Urban Music Award winning work has best been described by Nikki Giovanni as “outstanding, exciting, and new while being very old.” His book, From the Limbs of My Poetree was described byEssence Magazine as “a remarkable and insightful collection of exquisite poetry that touches sacred places within your spirit.” He was one of 5 international recipients out of 750,000 to win the first ever “CNN iReport Spirit Award.” He has received over 1,000,000 views on CNN.com.

Omékongo’s writings and performances have appeared in O Magazine, as well as on TV and radio fromCNN, BET, and the BBC to NPR, Music Choice, and Voice of Americain millions of homes in over 150 countries.He has also written songs for major motion pictures as well as organizations such as NASA and the Enough! Project. He has spoken before the United Nations, partners with the State Department to conduct youth leadership trainings overseas, and speaks to leadership and youth student conferences across the country.Omékongo’s music and writings have appeared alongside artists such as Sheryl Crow, Angelina Jolie, Norah Jones, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo, Don Cheadle, and Mos Def. He has shared the stage with Wyclef Jean, OutKast, Sonia Sanchez, Dennis Brutus, Emmanuelle Chriqui, The Last Poets, and NFL great Aaron Rodgers. Internationally, he has shared his work in over 20 countries on 3 continents.

Omékongo has studied at Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Georgetown, Morehouse, and The Fletcher School, where he earned his M.A. in Law & Diplomacy. Heearned his Ph.D. in International Education Policy at The University of Maryland (UMD) where his dissertation centered on the global hip-hop phenomenon and Jay-Z. At UMD, he also worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Teaching Diverse Students Initiative.” He worked for four years as the lead Teaching Assistant to Dr. Michael Eric Dyson at Georgetown University. He provides leadership, educational and diversity empowerment as a consultant and motivational speaker for organizations, associations and institutions.He has featured/lectured nationwide in venues from TEDx and Harvard to Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit and the Nuyorican Poets Café. His rap mixtape series “Bootleg” promotes positive hip-hop with remixes of songs by Tupac, Notorious BIG, Jay Z, Nas, 50 Cent, and others. His 1,000,000 Youth Campaign has directly impacted over100,000 youth across the globe to date. He has also partnered with Intel on its campaign to make their computer processors free of minerals that come from the war in the Congo.

Omékongo has published and produced 7 books, 7-fusion music and motivational CDs, and one independent DVD. His motivational book G.R.O.W. Towards Your Greatness! 10 Steps to Living Your Best Lifehas received praise from great motivational speakers such as Willie Jolley.His most recent book “The UPstander’s Guide to an Outstanding Life” is a life balance book for students. For more information, please visit www.upstanderinternational.com

Art Collins

Art Collins – A Boston poet who believes that there is extraordinary power in words and considers his poetry to be socially conscious as well as entertaining. He hopes that his brand of poetry will motivate action, provoke thought, and stimulate the mind of the listener. Art is a co-host of the Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam venue and was a member of the 2008 & 2010 Lizard Lounge National Poetry Slam Team. Art is also of the Brother’s Keeper Poetry/ Theatre Ensemble. He is and educator in the Boston Public School system and continues to perform his unique style of poetry with the aspirations of reaching a global audience.

Harlym 1two5

Harlym 1two5 remains very well known in the New York City area in slam poetry circles. Known as Harlym 125, He was a frequent and highly regarded figure in competitions in New York and beyond. 125 has become a part of the Boston area poetry scene and joined a team of poets who have won numerous competitions regionally and nationally. 125 has also become well known in the Boston area for his work leading workshops dealing with issues of diversity. Several times in the last couple of years, Harlym has been called to local high schools, colleges and communities to help bring a calm and constructive unity after racial incidents have happened. Known for his work, Harlym 1Two5 is often asked to be a panelist or to give presentations on a broad range of topics regarding diversity and pluralism, and also is asked to prepare presentations in response to very specific incidents or conditions. Appearing at dozens of college campuses every year. He is the “HUMAN HIGHLIGHT OF POETRY AND EDU-ACTIVISM.”

Dwight Hart

Dwight is the original drummer of the Jeff Robinson Trio and also Jeff’s cousin. One of the best drummers you’ll get to hear in your life if you’re lucky enough to hear him.

Music is in Mr. Hart’s blood and has recorded with or opened for artists including Beyonce, Wyclef, Mary J Blige, Erykah Badu, Heather Nova and Collie Buddz. His grandfather, drummer Elliston Butterfield, played for silent movies in Bermuda in the 1920s and his uncle Charles Butterfield was a drummer with Hubert Smith.

His “musical father” and mentor, however, has always been Clarence “Tootsie” Bean.

“At seven, I stalked Tootsie,” said Mr. Hart. “My aunt and uncle lived next door to him and I would visit them on Fridays. I would just go over to his house, let myself in and start playing his drums. He never refused me.”

Mr. Bean gave him drum lessons and organized his first performance at age nine, with Ghandi Burgess in what was then a hot nightclub, the Jungle Room.

“He was the one who really encouraged me to study music at Berklee College in Boston at age 16,” Mr. Hart said. “The most important lesson he taught me was to stay humble.”

Jerome Deupree

Jerome has had the longest stay of any of the drummers for the Jeff Robinson Trio.  Jerome is a legend drummer having made his name as the original drummer for rock giants Morphine.  Here’s what he has to say about himself

“My story… Born in November of 1956 in Cincinnati, OH. Started drumming at age 6, started gigging in my early teens and have been going ever since. I totally love the drums and will surely do it as long as I’m able.

History… I had two older brothers who helped get me started. Jack, the oldest, originally played drums and later switched to bass. Jesse, the next youngest to me (there are two sisters too) played guitar. They both helped me a whole lot and are probably the reason that I started at all.

Jack had a set of Ludwigs in Black Diamond Pearl (still love that finish). There was also a set of bongos about and I started hitting those one summer (’62?)

I remember listening to the movie soundtrack to “West Side Story” and all of the drama and emotion in the music. There were bongos in there as well and I guess something clicked.

Shortly after that, I got a snare drum for my birthday, and then the Beatles were on the TV. Soon, a set followed and I just played whenever I could. Once a year I would take my drums to school and play for my classmates. In the summer I would play with my brothers and their friends. In the early 70’s Jesse formed a band and we played at the Forefathers Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine. This lasted a couple of years and then I was slowly starting to play other gigs when the chance arose. I loved sitting in whenever I could and enjoyed the challenge of playing on the spot as it were.

After high school, I moved to Bloomington, Indiana and got to record in a studio for the first time. I was also freelancing, playing whenever possible. After a few years, I got the urge to move on and so I went to Santa Cruz, CA. Here, I played with The Human, and did some touring as well. Summer of ’81 I came to Boston and have been here ever since.

Joyce Cunha

Joyce Cunha aka SlamMama has been the Lizard Lounge Co-SlamMaster since 2000. She has attended every National Poetry Slam since 1999, when she was the First Alternate for the Cantab Team. When she’s not hanging out at the Lizard Lounge, she’s a Coordinator of Special Education and Student Services for the Boston Public School system at the Ellis and the Higginson Schools in Roxbury. Joyce grew up in Somerville and has been living in Dorchester for most of her adult life. Her passion for poetry and artistic expression, teaching, and children enriches her life. Her large extended family, which includes her friends, is her lifeline.

Tom Parsons

Tom Parsons is the coach and strategist for the Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam Team!  He’s a very important and beloved member of the Lizard Lounge Poetry Family!  No one can replace Tom Parsons in our hearts and lives.  Tom is THE MAIN MAN!

Trish Ginese

Urbanist, Bibliophile, Global Nomad, Earth Steward, Artist, Healer, Vegan/ Animal Rights Activist, Poet who secretly wishes to be a physicist or botanist.

Studied Creative Writing at Emerson College and pursuing a Master’s Degree in art education for youth. In my spare time, I paint, practice my violin and think about building a gypsy caravan and hitting the road.

I am passionate about education, youth mentoring, community building, and urban renewal. I have always had a deep respect and passion for teaching, cultural diversity and social justice.
While all this sounds lofty, I generally write about love things and sex things.

Michael “Warrior” Bonds

Michael “Warrior” Bonds is a renowned award-winning performance poet and Spokenword artist, motivator, community consultant, and author from Boston, Massachusetts. Warrior, as he is called, is a valued member of the legendary Lizard Lounge Slam Poetry Team.

In 2018 the Lizard Lounge Slam Team ranked 13th out of 82 National Slam Teams.
In 2019 Warrior won the Lizard Lounge Most Valuable Poet and the Grande Champion trophies.
In 2018 GBOS Magazine Boston named him Best Spokenword Artist in Boston.

Warrior is a respected member of his community. He was awarded the Boston Community Warrior Award four times by the Institute of Pan African Culture, Street Peace, Prophets for Non-Profits, and the Nation of Islam for his ongoing work with returning citizens, the proven-risk criminally active gang population, and homeless youth.

He has self-published two books of his poetry; Gunz Poems & Rosez in 2005 and The Write in 2012.

Mr. Bonds is an independent Resource Consultant and the Outreach Programs Coordinator for Mission Safe Boston and other non-profit organizations.

Nicole “Cole” Rodriguez

Cole Rodriguez is an internationally recognized spoken word artist originating from Boston, MA. As a former participant in the National Poetry Slam, Cole has competed against the top-ranked poets in the United States. As a mother, teacher, artist, and friend, Cole has used her poetic work to create community, inspire activism, and speak truth to power.

Passionate about youth development, Cole works with universities, high schools, and in therapeutic settings to facilitate spaces wherein poetry can be deconstructed, celebrated, and created. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, she has worked with institutions, including Harvard University, Berklee College of Music, Boston College, Salem State University, and Bermuda College, as well as a host of alternative and public schools, to incorporate activism and poetic voice into the classroom.

As a performance poet, she has captured the audience’s attention as an acclaimed slam winner at Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge, Roxbury’s House Slam, and Manhattan’s Nuyorican Café. This lover of rhyme continues to perform throughout the US and abroad.

Cole Rodriguez is an avid music appreciator, an enthusiastic Celtics fan, and a beast in the kitchen.