Local radio personality "Venom" (Hot 103.9 FM) and members of The Columbia HUD Office Slam Team made a striking connection with Federal employees during the HUD Columbia Office's 2006 Black History Month Celebration held on February 1, 2006. "Venom", a radio disc jockey, author and spoken-word performer served as Mistress of Ceremony for the event that showcased, promoted and cultivated an inspiring performance representing the stand-up, spoken-word business. Basically, the Columbia HUD Office Slam Team earned an appreciation for their talent and artistic creativity.

The HUD Columbia Slam Team & Venom (far right)

The Columbia HUD Office Slam Team began under the umbrella of the arts group Soul Syndicate in 2003 and expressed the spoken word in various clubs, community centers and hotel conference rooms. The Group consists of local poets who have successfully mastered a form of art that has become a social phenomenon in recent years as the result of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, created by Russell Simmons, a hip-hop entrepreneur and founder of Def Jam Records.

It is also noted, that the rowdy nature of performance poetry had earlier influences, most notably in the birth of rap and hip-hop during the civil rights movements of the 1960s with the Last Poets, a group of African-American and Hispanic poets known for their revolutionary counter-culture lyrics.

Asajagroove (Tameka Barnette) performs at the 2006 COLUMBIA HUD OFFICE Black History Month Celebration.

With her new, maybe second diploma in hand, Ms. Christy says "I feel much better, more secure," adding that "it wasn't that hard to go back" because "when I was out of school that long I forgot a lot of stuff."

Following the enlightening performance, audience members enjoyed food and fellowship. Additionally, audience members were afforded the opportunity of obtaining each poet's autograph in souvenir booklets prepared to commemorate the momentous occasion. The 2005 Columbia HUD Office Slam Team members are Lady Laureate (Keisha Moore), Asajagroove (Tameka Barnette); DaMinista (Travis Brunson) and Stacy W. Smallwood (Exodus).