Archive of the Spoken Word Poetry Movement
in Trinidad and Tobago
2026
Photography by: Aman Askarizad; Helsinki Poetry Connection
Date: January and March 2026
Event/Location: Konepaja Spoken Word, Helsinki Poetry Connection, Helsinki, Finland
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem at the Konepaja open mic in January (left) and March (right)
2025
Photography by: National Poetry Slam
Date: March 2025
Event/Location: Semi-Finals, National Poetry Slam, Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are amílcar peter sanatan, Abeo Jackson, Arielle John, Shivanee Ramlochan and Sterling Kent
Photography by: Bacano Leaf
Date: February 2025
Event/Location: Bacano Leaf, ThinkArtWork Studio, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) is a flyer for the event (left) and amílcar peter sanatan performing (right)
2024
Videography by: Bacano Leaf
Date: November 2024
Event/Location: Bacano Leaf, ThinkArtWork Studio, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video is amílcar peter sanatan performing “I Pray the Night Makes Stars of Pan Women”
2023
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: October 2026
Event/Location: St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Jabari Brown providing direction for voice talent on his animated short film
Photography by: N/A
Date: July 2023
Event/Location: Toolkit cover
Description: An image of the digital cover of Gender-based Violence Education for Youth: A Caribbean Arts-based Facilitation Guide where spoken word pedagogies are outlined for youth engagement
2022
Videography by: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Date: September 2022
Event/Location: Matriculation Ceremony, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video is amílcar peter sanatan performing “I Write” spoken word poem
Videography by: amílcar peter sanatan; East Port of Spain Development Company
Date: August 2022
Event/Location: Graduation Ceremony, Youth Entrepreneurial Programme, Laventille Community Centre, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video is Zariel Thomas performing a spoken word poem
Video by: Brian Wickham
Date: March 2022
Event/Location: Bishop Anstey High School East, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Brian Wickham’s poetry reading of amílcar peter sanatan’s poem for World Poetry Day
2021
Photography by: N/A
Date: August 2021
Event/Location: Journal special issue cover
Description: An image of the digital cover of the Tout Moun: Caribbean Journal of Cultural Studies special issue, “Creating a Caribbean Sense of Place: Calypso, Spoken Word & the Oral Tradition”; Artwork by Nicholas Huggins
2020
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: February 2020
Event/Location: SERVOL Centre, Beetham Gardens, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan and SERVOL trainees. sanatan co-organised an open mic on the campus with Mrs. Nadia Figaro-Adams and trainees
2019
Video by: amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: 2019
Event/Location: Raise The Bar, The 2 Cents Movement, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video are Brandon O’Brien (left), Marcus Millette (Centre) and Kyle Hernandez (right) performing a joint spoken word poem
Video by: amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: 2019
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, JFK Shuttle Station/Bay of Pigs Station/No Man’s Land, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video is Isaiah Wayne John
Video by: Jensen Samaroo; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: 2019
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, JFK Shuttle Station/Bay of Pigs Station/No Man’s Land, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video is amílcar peter sanatan
Photography by: Marlon James; Bocas Lit Fest
Date: May 2019
Event/Location: NALIS Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are amílcar peter sanatan and Brandon O’Brien
2018
Photography by: TEDxPort-of-Spain
Date: October 2018
Event/Location: Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are Kyle Hernandez and amílcar peter sanatan
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: October 2018
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK at JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are Tyron Rhamanohar, Ronaldo Mohammed, Jensen Samaroo, Jamol Benjamin and amílcar peter sanatan
2017
Photography by: Jessica Greer Morris
Date: January 2017
Event/Location: Community Advisory Board Meeting, Girl Be Heard, United States of America Embassy, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are Takiyah De Four, Jean-Claude Cournand, Deneka Thomas and amílcar peter sanatan
2016
Video by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: 2016
Event/Location: Bocas Lit Fest – South, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Extempo performance featuring Lingo
Video by: Raegan Gibbings
Date: 2016
Event/Location: Faculty of Humanities and Education Award Ceremony, Learning Resource Centre, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: April 2019
Event/Location: “Gimme Room to Speak: My Story in Spoken Word,” Centre for Language Learning Lecture Room, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: An image of the promotional flyer for lecture and spoken word performance facilitated by Dr. Geraldine Skeete
Photography by: QUAD-TT
Date: February 2016
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK at JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Naiyla Nakhid performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: QUAD-TT
Date: February 2016
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK at JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Til Shiloh performing song
Photography by: QUAD-TT
Date: February 2016
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK at JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Michael Logie performing a spoken word poem
2015
Photography by: The 2 Cents Movement
Date: August 2015
Event/Location: Cascadoo Spoken Word Festival, Trinity College East, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan in the audience
2014
Photography by: The 2 Cents Movement
Date: April 2014
Event/Location: Courts Bocas Speak Out: Secondary Schools Tour; Cowen Hamilton Secondary School, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan performing in the Secondary Schools Tour organised by The 2 Cents Movement
2013
Photography by: Rachael Collymore; Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation
Date: November 2013
Event/Location: Launch of women’s poetry and prose anthology at NALIS Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are contributors to the edited collection: Gilberte Farah O’Sullivan, Rachael Collymore, Patrice Charles, Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné, Kavita Ganness, Shivana Singh, Paula Obé, Carol Hosein and others
Photography by: The 2 Cents Movement
Date: November 2013
Event/Location: Courts Bocas Speak Out: Secondary Schools Tour; El Dorado East Secondary School, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan in the Secondary Schools Tour organised by The 2 Cents Movement
Photography by: Shari Petti; The 2 Cents Movement
Date: November 2013
Event/Location: Courts Bocas Speak Out: Secondary Schools Tour; Bishop Anstey High School, Trinidad ands Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Mickel Alexander, Idrees Saleem, Brandon O’Brien, Jean-Claude Cournand, Charnell Lucien, Ariel Wolffe Shah, Apphia Barton and amílcar peter sanatan performing in the Secondary Schools Tour organised by The 2 Cents Movement
Video by: Denith McNicolls; The 2 Cents Movement
Date: June 2013
Event/Location: Video produced as part of the the “2 Cents Project”
Description: Video featuring spoken word poet Crystal Skeete performing “Maxi Man Tracking School Gyal.” This video is widely considered to be the first “viral” social media content related to the spoken word poetry movement
2012
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: April 2012
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK Open Mic, JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are amílcar peter sanatan (left), Aneisha Vieira (centre), and Blaine Thomas (right)
2011
Photography by: Denith McNicolls
Date: 2011
Event/Location: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are amílcar peter sanatan (left), Lou Lyons(centre), and Muhammad Muwakil (right)
Photography by: Denith McNicolls
Date: 2011
Event/Location: Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Debriefing after protest action in Port-of-Spain
Photography by: Denith McNicolls
Date: 2011
Event/Location: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Protest action in Port-of-Spain
Photography by: Donovan Jordan
Date: March 2011
Event/Location: Miss Uwiverse pageant at University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Til Shiloh (left) and amílcar peter sanatan (right) performing a spoken word poem
2010
Photography by: N/A
Date: November 2010
Event/Location: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: An image of the Daily Express newspaper coverage of student protest
Video by: Denith McNicolls
Date: November 2010
Event/Location: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Short film produced by Denith McNicolls on U.WE SPEAK “One Caribbean” event
Photography by: Arnaldo James
Date: November 2010
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK “One Caribbean,” University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: An image of the culmination of the procession at Daaga Hall
Photography by: Veleena Gangapersad
Date: November 2010
Event/Location: Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: An image of a campus noticeboard with U.WE SPEAK flyers
Photography by: Aneisha Vieira
Date: November 2010
Event/Location: Student Activity Centre, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Kristen Johnson (left) and amílcar peter sanatan (right) posting flyers on noticeboards
Photography by: Gail Buntin-Lowe
Date: October 2010
Event/Location: UWI STAT outreach secondary schools programme with U.WE SPEAK at St. Joseph’s College, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Junior Prout, co-facilitating outreach
Photography by: Denith McNicolls
Date: September 2010
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Kyle “Skeeto” Amos performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: Denith McNicolls
Date: September 2010
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Richarde “Pan” Bereaux performing musical interlude
Video by: Dominic DeBourg
Date: June 2010
Event/Location: Short film recorded in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Spoken word poetry-based short film directed by Dominic DeBourg with amílcar peter sanatan for the Commonwealth Youth Video Contest (2010)
Photography by: Stacy-Ann Julien
Date: April 2010
Event/Location: Thursday’s student activity in the quadrangle at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are Chike Pilgrim, Jervae Caesar, Muhammad Muwakil, amílcar peter sanatan and Blaine Thomas
Photography by: Arnaldo James
Date: February 2010
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan hosting
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: January 2010
Event/Location: Derek Walcott at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Derek Walcott visits Alma Jordan Library
2009
Photography by: N/A; JINGAY Spoken Word Poetry Group
Date: June 2009
Event/Location: Wordsmiths’ Spoken Word Poetry Slam, Centre for Language Learning, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Wordsmith spoken word poets, Brendon O’Brien (left) and Anisty Cyrus (right)
Photography by: N/A; JINGAY Spoken Word Poetry Group
Date: June 2009
Event/Location: Wordsmiths’ Spoken Word Poetry Slam, Centre for Language Learning, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Francies Bruce, amílcar peter sanatan and Brendon O’Brien
Video by: Denith McNicolls
Date: May 2009
Event/Location: San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Promotional video for U.WE SPEAK performance on “Youth Nation”
Photography by: Joanna DeSilva
Date: April 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: An image of pairs and individual shoes thrown at performers on stage during an open mic night, a tradition used to affirm and celebrate outstanding performances
Photography by: Joanna DeSilva
Date: April 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Anika and Rihanna Johnson singing
Photography by: Joanna DeSilva
Date: April 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Arielle John (left) and Ivory Hayes (right) performing a joint spoken word poem
Photography by: Joanna DeSilva
Date: April 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: In the image on the left, Khadija Sinanan is featured showing her role in the collection drive for U.WE SPEAKS to Haiti. In the image on the right is a flyer for the event
Photography by: Joanna DeSilva
Date: April 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK, Humanities Undercroft, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: In the image on the left, audience member Anastazia Hamilton is seen wearing the BATCE Culture Club’s ‘Proud to BATCE’ t-shirt. In the image on the right, Vladimir Lucien is on stage; he played a central role in conceptualising the ‘U.WE SPEAKS to Haiti’ event
Photography by: Adafih Padmore
Date: February 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK “Soap Box,” JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Keegan Maharaj and Muhammad Muwakil
Photography by: Adafih Padmore
Date: February 2009
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK “Soap Box,” JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are performers and audience members
2008
Photography by: Anna Sahadeo; Poet Society of Trinidad and Tobago
Date: December 2008
Event/Location: Award ceremony for poetry competitions hosted by the Poet Society of Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is the Management Team of the Poet Society of Trinidad and Tobago
Photography by: Francies Bruce
Date: December 2008
Event/Location: Social gathering of spoken word poets organised by Marvin George and Camille Quamina, St. Ann’s, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph are Ivory Hayes, Angelo Hart, Francies Bruce, Michael Bruce, Brandon O’Brien, Brendon O’Brien, Muhammad Muwakil, Roger Bonair-Agard, Jabari Lynch and others
Photography by: Anastazia Hamilton
Date: November 2008
Event/Location: Fashion show, Bishop Anstey Trinity College East, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photographs are Dominic DeBourg launching “Ref.U.G.” brand and amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: Darnell Grant
Date: November 2008
Event/Location: Backstage with performers – spoken word poets, African drummers and parang, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph (left to right) are amílcar peter sanatan, Denlis Bertrand, Joseph Bertrand, Arielle John and Jabari Lynch
Video by: Kevin Spence
Date: 2008
Event/Location: Auditorium, Bishop Anstey Trinity College East, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: amílcar peter sanatan performing “The Box Lunch Song” with Jerome Maxime and Gerron Clarke
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: October 2008
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK “Soap Box,” JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: October 2008
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK “Soap Box,” JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is Muhammad Muwakil performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: October 2008
Event/Location: U.WE SPEAK “Soap Box,” JFK Shuttle Station, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Video by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: March 2008
Event/Location: Auditorium, Bishop Anstey Trinity College East Sixth Form School, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the video is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan’s personal archive
Date: 2008
Event/Location: One Mic, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
2007
Photography by: ONE MIC
Date: December 2007
Event/Location: One Mic, San Fernando (?), Trinidad and Tobago
Description: amílcar peter sanatan and Marcus Sanatan in the audience
Photography by: ONE MIC
Date: December 2007
Event/Location: One Mic, San Fernando (?), Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: November 2007
Event/Location: Ephemera; Spoken word; Poem
Description: An image of untitled spoken word poem written by amílcar peter sanatan
Video by: N/A; amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: 2007/2008
Event/Location: Chapel, Bishop Anstey Trinity College East Sixth Form School, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Hip-hop performance performed in morning assembly at BATCE Sixth Form School
Photography by: Yohance Valdez
Date: c. 2007
Event/Location: Bishop Anstey Trinity College East Auditorium, Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago
Description: Featured in the photograph is amílcar peter sanatan performing a spoken word poem
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: January 2007
Event/Location: Ephemera; Spoken word; Poem
Description: An image of a spoken word poem, “eMpTy,” written by amílcar peter sanatan
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: November 2007
Event/Location: Ephemera; Spoken word; Poem
Description: An image of a spoken word poem, “eMpTy,” written by Arielle John
2006
Photography by: amílcar peter sanatan personal archive
Date: September 2006
Event/Location: Ephemera; Spoken word; Poem
Description: An image of a spoken word poem, “Truth Troops,” written by amílcar peter sanatan