Good wishes. I’m getting ready for my second Kindness Session, happening on Tuesday, April 1, 6 pm, at the Poe Cottage. This one found support in a number of media outlets including my hometown paper, “The Norwood News,” “Riverdale Press,” “Bronx Tourism” website, and New York City’s “Thought Gallery,” which lists major talks including events happening at the 92nd Y.
My poem for this letter is “Roger That” (Directive: Affirm!), which is dedicated to Roger McCormick who made these events happen. (He also had me join the poets at Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday this past January. I told him I’d love to help him find poets for next year. If you’re in the New York City area on January 19, and have a favorite Poe poem and want to write something inspired by him to share, send me a note!
Kindness is important
if you lead community organizations. Leaders have a responsibility for
inclusion, not ignoring or belittling people that want to be involved with creating
events even if they don’t make a difference. I recently started the Anne
Leighton Inclusion Interview Show, and am aiming to create new broadcasts every
two weeks. Recently I had the pleasure to interview Joe Viglione, a musician
that’s creating a documentary about bullying in senior housing. This and other
interviews, including a recent one with New Jersey comedian John Poveromo are
shared alongside some of my poems, including “Roger That,” at workinggalrockandroll.blogspot.com.
(Joe is also listing his interview at https://soundcloud.com/joe-viglione/anneleightonvideoplayback )
Joe was big into grants and fundraising for his work, and offered some advice in his interview. After this workshop, I’ll be reaching out to some organizations and sponsors, including a tasty candymaker that doesn’t use corn syrup, to get behind the Kindness Session. I’m looking for an outlet that we can include our poems and short writers, as well as “Kindness in the News Stories” on the website. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Hoping you’re having a nice spring, and finding ways to lift
up your friends.