Larchmere Arts, in Cleveland, Ohio has been a fixture in the spoken word and cultural community at-large. It has served to incubate the spoken word art form and has served as a platform for a great many poets and spoken word artists. The artists reflected on this album have all performed at, or benefitted from the presence of, Larchmere Arts. Vince Robinson, a leading cultural advocate and the majority owner of Larchmere Arts has paved the way for many new artists and has helped establish the rebirth of many poets, not least of which has been the rebirth of Cleveland’s Muntu Poets. M.A. Shaheed, an original Muntu Poet, has been a leading beacon of the Muntu Poets. Shaheed has also been instrumental in a great wave of recognition that has been deservedly poured upon the founder of the Muntu Poets, and his mentor, Russell Atkins. B Real, Danielle Dixon, and VitaGold have all established a name for themselves and can thank cultural havens like Larchmere Arts for their development. K Kelly, the Co-CEO of Uptown Media Joint Ventures, is a newbie to the spoken word genre and certainly is surrounded by much inspiration! Long live Larchmere Arts!