The “All that I Am,” poetry exhibit, curated by Sydnie Trahan, a senior criminal justice major, was recently held in the Jones Hall lobby at Dillard University.

“All that I Am” was a poetry exhibit written by juveniles in a local detention center. The poetry reflected the juveniles’ thoughts, fears, and hopes. Trahan said their works all target the question, “Is ‘delinquent’ all that I am?”

Audience members were first given a chance to browse the selection of poems to get a feel for the writing style. Each one was unique to the poets and brought forth powerful insights, emotional confessions, and even a bit of humor. It showed true resilience in these youth and highlighted their determination towards a better future for themselves.

Afterward, attendees were moved to a more traditional exhibit setting where the presenters moved to the front and the audience formed a small crowd. Together, everyone  watched as Trinity Smith, a senior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), presented her visual artwork titled: “Let Me Go.” 

The piece showed white hands in handcuffs with bronze-gold fingertips. Smith described the bronze tips as the hands barely reaching their freedom, though they still fight, and the handcuffs along with the white plaster were meant to symbolize the system that entraps them. She details where she draws her inspiration; her uncle Patrick Johnson lost 30 years of his life to the system after a false accusation led to his wrongful conviction.

After the visual presentation, speakers Amira Konate, Morgan Price, Cherielle Clark, Matthew Williams, and Johari Smith came forward to read the poems.

At the end, audience members were able to mingle with Trahan and the other members of her supporting foundation. Visitors were encouraged to comment under their ‘wall of expression,’ where people were able to send messages of courage to the youth and provide feedback on the exhibit.