Word on the Block #3

The mic is live on the block, the knowledge is deep, and the music is original. Word on the Block #3 is back—bringing the community together in an intergenerational, interdisciplinary celebration of what it means to gather with purpose.

Set on 8th Avenue between Hal Greer Boulevard and 17th Street, this electrifying live event blends scholarship, storytelling, podcasting, and music into one unforgettable afternoon.

Launched in 2021 with funding from the West Virginia Humanities Council as part of the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 relief efforts, Word on the Block was born as a healing space to help neighbors reconnect after the isolation of the pandemic. Now, with national backing from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Arts HERE program, the vision expands: deeper conversations, stronger performances, and a bigger platform for community truth-telling.

At its heart, Word on the Block is about putting the mic where the people are—and this year’s scholar lineup delivers powerful truths. Speakers include:

• Dr. Phil Carter (Professor)
• Crystal Good (Poet and Publisher)
• Sean Hornbuckle (Financial Advisor, WV Delegate)
• Dr. Gregory Breeden
  
• Dr. Georgiana Logan
  
• Staysha Quintrell (Midwife)
• Jason Tartt (Farmer)

Together, these voices will explore farming, civics, midwifery, Black men’s health, social justice, human rights, publishing, and the evolution of DEI from the civil rights movement to the present.

Complementing the scholarship is a genre-defying roster of live performers, including: Gardenn, NeeNee Incognita, AC, Bernard Craighead, Se7en, Deano Mission, Angela Linthicum, Scantag

Original compositions from these MCs, R&B vocalists, and producers will range from urban eclectic to street rap, with sonic guidance from co-producing partner Duke Johnson of Thyrd World Music.

Word on the Block #3 is executive produced by All Here Together Productions and the Positive People Association (PPA)—two regional powerhouses in creative collaboration. For four years, PPA has led youth and family programming at the J.W. Scott Center, with Word on the Block as one of its signature projects.

“Word on the Block is my heart,” says Carmen-Mitzi Sinnott, internationally acclaimed artist and event co-producer.  “It’s what I know we are when we come together for the greater good. When Duke, Norman, and I first built the idea, their willingness to experiment made it all possible. Now, here we are—nationally funded and stronger than ever.”

The event kicks off with a live recording of The Biz Podcast, hosted by Leah Brown-Branch and Norman Branch, who will explore historical and cultural topics with the scholars. But the real magic happens when the audience joins in—Word on the Block doesn’t just perform to the people, it passes the mic.