The Betsy Hotel to Host Third Annual Celebration of Black Resistance and Resilience
- Apr 8
- 1 min read
The Betsy Hotel will host its third annual event inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem, “The Ballad of Sam Solomon,” on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The gathering, held in the B Bar from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., honors the legacy of Black resistance and the 1939 movement of Black voters who challenged segregation and Klan threats in Miami.
The program combines poetry, music, and historical reflection to celebrate civil rights activist Sam Solomon and the collective power of Miami’s Black community. Guests will experience an evening designed to connect local history with contemporary creative expression.
Evening Program and Performances
The event begins with a registration period featuring live music inspired by Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. During this time, attendees are encouraged to use provided writing prompts to prepare for the later open mic session.
The scheduled program includes:
Historical Grounding: Insights provided by Nadege Green.
Poetry Readings: Arsimmer McCoy will perform selections from The Ballad of Sam Solomon and 9 Decades.
Visual Arts: An orb projection created by Nadege Green and Chris Friday.
Open Mic: Invited poets will perform backed by a live band, followed by contributions from the community.
Legacy of Sam Solomon
Central to the evening is the story of Sam Solomon and the organized efforts of Black residents in 1939 to claim their right to vote despite systemic intimidation. The event, led by Corey Davis and the event team, aims to keep this spirit of resilience active through communal art and dialogue.
Interested participants and attendees can find more information and register through the official event link.