If you’re like me, the first few months of this year hit hard and I feel like I’ve just gotten off of a rollercoaster. The constant influx of shocking news was debilitating and I had a difficult time connecting with my creativity. Luckily my short play and other opportunities had already been planned or I would have drowned in a sea of fading hope.
I say all that to say I am coming up for air and will be writing more often. I am now on Substack and you can find me @tonisroom
I’ve always been torn between using this blog space for poetry or for writing about my life and my thoughts . I didn’t want it to be difficult for those looking for poetry to have to sort through other writings, and vice versa. I’ve decided that my prose writing/essays etc will be on my Substack and this blog will be used to share my poetry and poetry events.
Hi Family👋🏾 If I haven’t already told you, one of my poems is being produced as a short play and I’m so excited! The ticket link is live for anyone purchasing tickets to my directorial debut 😀 in Philly March 2nd. I hope you can make it!
Use code TCMP32 for a discount until January 15th.
If you’d like to support the Black woman owned production company, and place a personal or business ad in the program, you can do so at this link below.
Here’s more info from the production company. I’ll share more about the process later. 😍
Hello Friends of Theater and Art: We want to let you know about March 2, 2025, at 4 PM. The Collective Mic Productions will host our 2nd Annual “An Evening of Shorts” at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center, located at 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127 (Manayunk). There’s PPA Kiosk parking available on site.
The Collective Mic, LLC, and its Productions, founded by artists Jody Austin and Tiffani Dean, are dedicated to inspiring both adults and youth through the visual arts, literary arts, literacy, and performance arts. Serving communities in Philadelphia, Tri-State area and beyond, we bring the transformative power of the arts into schools and community spaces, empowering young people and fostering creativity at every step. We are also an all-woman BIPOC and veteran owned organization.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE ARTS ✨️
Our commitment to theater, film, and performing arts has driven us to create productions that celebrate poetry, literacy, community engagement, and inclusivity, allowing us to provide a platform for artists of diverse backgrounds. Each production, festival selection, and community initiative extends our mission to enrich Philadelphia’s cultural landscape, fostering a network of artists and encouraging impactful community service.
By becoming a sponsor, your business will gain valuable visibility across our social media platforms, promotional materials, and email outreach, which currently includes over 2500 contacts. Your support will help over essential costs like venue, housing, and transportation for our dedicated cast and crew, contributing directly to the success of our programs. Noncontribution is too small, and every bit helps us continue our mission to inspire and empower.
We are pleased to offer a variety of sponsorship packages, including:
Gold Sponsor $1000: Includes 5 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Silver Sponsor $500: Includes 4 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Pewter Sponsor $250: Includes 3 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Bronze Sponsor $100: Includes 2 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Copper Sponsor $75: Get a half-page ad in our beautifully designed digital program booklet to showcase your business logo and send a shout-out to your favorite actors or family members. This ad will be shared widely across our social media platforms and with our live audience, providing great exposure! Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Nickel Sponsor $50: Receive a quarter-page ad in our beautifully designed digital program booklet to showcase your business logo or send a shout-out to friends and family. This ad will be widely shared across our social media platforms, helping to maximize your brand visibility. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
We would be delighted to discuss how we can collaborate with you to make a meaningful impact. If interested, please reach out at TheCollective2014@gmail.com. Contributions can be sent via Cash App @TheCollectiveMic, PayPal @https://www.paypal.me/TheCollectiveMic or our GoFundme link
Hey poetry fans, if you haven’t been to the Imperfect Gallery located at 5539 Germantown Avenue in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, you are formally invited to come out during the entire month of March.
The entire month will be dedicated to Women artists, and if you want to see me and the phenomenal Sabriaya, (check out her full bio on her website) a poet, educator and storyteller, then mark your calendars and stop by The Imperfect Gallery on March 14th, 2024 at 6PM. The $15 cover supports the artists with work on display, the performers and the beautiful art gallery.
Seating is limited, so please come early.
I’m honored to be sharing the “stage” with all of the talented women who will be in the space, and sharing some poetry that you’ve never heard before.
Feel free to drop a heart below and share your excitement about coming. Your presence would mean the world to me!
Bev was my best friend. Although she lived on the opposite end of my block in West Philadelphia, where I was born and raised, our paths never crossed until I was in my late teens. I was the smart kid who got teased a lot and kept to myself. She got the nickname Queen B because she would walk around the neighborhood like she was royalty. She was always laughing and would strut down the street with her hands on her hips, and it seemed to me that she never let what anyone else thought about her, bother her.
I was the smart, quiet teenager with hardly any friends, and she was the loud, charismatic, funny popular one with lots of personality, and introduced me to the cool people on the block. When I was hanging with Bev, I felt popular and protected. She wouldn’t let anyone say anything bad about me and my Mom treated her like family. My brothers were DJs so there were always turntables set up in our basement, and Bev and I and whoever else came over from the block would put on our favorite albums and sing, drink beer and laugh. She wanted to be a star and she had such a beautiful light within her. We lost her at the age of 40 and I now carry her light within me. Each time I walk on a stage, I think of her and this is one of the poems I wrote in remembrance. Happy heavenly birthday Bev!
I Remember You (basement duet for Queen B)
We sang into West Philly-bred microphones Scents of stale beer and cigarettes floating under our basement borne concerts Roberta Flack Natalie Cole Teena Marie They were us we were we and we were free Imagining concert halls filled with fans gasping for gardenia scented motions of us We danced swaying under water pipes and wooden rafters Dressed in summer swag, tossing braids and permed ponytails while we bumped hips and dipped knees We were stars on the dust filled unfinished basement stage It was all we knew We were inseparable until you strayed We went our separate ways You succumbed to painful nights soaked in old men calling for you to dance again Asking for alley romance and offering snow dust dreams and green smoke behind masks You danced to stale music with no voice Now you’re gone and with you our Webster street duet Yet I still hear you We walk together in a parallel universe Pushing my stroller under the suburban sunshine I think of my sister pushing through the door at the crack of dawn Both rising to meet our children Both trying to define success in the way we could see Yet I still see you
Walking alone waiting on the bus stop in clothes wrinkled in the scent of cigars and whiskey As I secure the seat belt of my luxury car at the corner of my single home We both sit cloaked in sadness I walk with you though you don’t see my journey Resting in the sorrow of acceptance that I could not save you from yours I remember you I see you I carry you I sing for you I write for you I swing my hips for you I inhale smoke filled rooms and sip beer through a straw for you I plant my feet and grab the mic in remembrance of you You support me I carry you I love you I remember you I REMEMBER YOU
#takecareofmetuesday This photo by @zamanifeelingsphotography I call my “ok God, what’s next?” stance. It was taken on a night that was a pivotal moment for me because I was surrounded by people who believed in me and didn’t want anything from me but to see me shine. I let go of my plan for the evening and let them help me, and it was greater than I ever imagined. I was the spotlight performer and ended up bringing a 3 piece band of good friends and we shut the place down (check out a clip of the performance below)! ✨️
When the rug is pulled out from under you without a warning, you can either stay where you’ve fallen and wait for someone to pick you up, or you can take the time to meditate and envision the beautiful, safe replacement “rug” God has in store for you, get up and go get your blessing. ✨️Just for today Let time take time, say no to people who are constantly taking and not giving and do what brings YOU joy today. ✨️Trust the process, everything will come full circle God I’m listening
Sewey Hole Family presents Bruiz and Friends , a Live poetry reading filmed at the infamous Pen and Pencil club in Philadelphia. The event including poetry readings from James Feichthaler, Bob Zell and myself, Toni Love will ONLY be viewed on the Facebook page of Keith Outlaw so visit the Event page to access the link to watch us live.
I hope you are able to check out the show. I will be reading a few new poems but please support and grab a copy of my poetry book or CD from my website and I’d be happy to autograph it for you.
Refusing the courtesy ride home in the back of the police car.
He was innocent.
No apologies for being accused of fitting the description of someone who was running and not doing anything but fitting the description of every black boy profiled.
A black boy running at night.
The cops told me that he wasn’t running when they stopped him. Thank God, I thought.
Because black boys who run get murdered.
So today I feel sad for you and all of the children we’ve lost to racism.
Today I selfishly thank you.
Thank you George for your life because it may have saved the life of my son.
A black boy who just wanted to breathe fresh air.
A black boy who just wants to feel freedom.
I pray for him.
I honor You.
You couldn’t breathe but he will breathe and run and stop and take breath and return home again today
I pray .
~ M. Tonita Austin aka Toni Love
written on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. 5.25.22
Live Poetry Event: Tonita Austin, Sibelan Forrester, Alison Lubar Wednesday May 18, 2022 – 7pm Fergie’s Pub 1214 Sansom Street and on zoom – Registration Required
Come out and hang with me in the City!
I’m excited to share my poetry for the first time at a Moonstone Arts Center event with these gifted poets! There will be an open mic and loads of fun and poetry ❤️. I will also have copies of my book “Toni’s Room” for sale and if you already have a copy and want it signed, please bring it with you. They make wonderful Mother’s day gifts.
Toni's Room 
Leave a comment