2009 Oct 22
For Immediate Release
GCC to feature champion poet lecturing on politics of hip-hop
Javon JohnsonSpoken word/slam poet Javon Johnson will examine "The Politics and Performance of Hip-Hop" when the Glendale Community College (GCC) Speakers Forum series continues at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the GCC Student Union. The Student Union is located near the center of GCC's main campus at 59th and West Olive avenues.
Merging the sharp criticism of critical race and gender theory with comedic know-how, poetic lyricism and, at times, hip-hop rhyme schemes, Johnson quickly has become one of the most awarded and well-known poetic communicators. He won back-to-back national slam titles in 2003 with team Los Angeles and in 2004 with team Hollywood. In 2005, he placed third nationally with team Hollywood, making him the only poet in slam history to make the national finals in three consecutive years.
Johnson has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, BET's Lyric Café and co-wrote poetic narration for a documentary titled Crossover, which aired on Showtime in collaboration with the NBA, Magic Johnson Group, Penny Marshall and Nike. After seeing Johnson perform, a reviewer for The Los Angeles Times reported, "It's hard not to have good times while watching him (Johnson) have a good time on stage."
A doctoral candidate in performance studies at Northwestern University, Johnson is examining issues of race, gender, sexuality and class in pop culture. His dissertation is a multisided project between Los Angeles, Chicago and New York that looks at identity politics and community negotiation in slam and spoken-word poetry communities.
He has taught many courses on performance, public speaking, literature and issues of identity politics at institutions such as Northwestern, Los Angeles Community College and California State University at Los Angeles, where he earned his bachelor of arts and master's degrees in communication studies.
He is a five-time intercollegiate Speech & Debate National Champion, an All-American and a competitor who has earned in excess of 500 awards during his undergraduate years.
Johnson is the third of seven presenters in the free GCC Speakers Forum. Others who have presented during the fall 2009 semester are actress/model Toni Redman, who discussed self-branding in the entertainment industry, and Dr. Kory Floyd of Arizona State University, who discussed affectionate communication and health.
Questions about the forum can be directed to faculty member Kirt Shineman at kirt.shineman@gcmail.maricopa.edu or by calling 623.845.3653.
