As I said elsewhere on this site, the name’s Suban. I am a Somali poet, educator, and the current Lansing Poet Laureate. Rooted in Black storytelling traditions, spoken word, and community engagement, my work explores diaspora, memory, belonging, and the relationship between poetry and place.

Through public initiatives like Pop-Up Poetry and Poetry in Motion, I create community-centered poetry experiences that invite people to encounter language beyond the page—through movement, gathering, conversation, and shared space. I look forward to connecting with more of you through my work as Lansing’s Poet Laureate (2026-2028).

Poetry in Motion

Poetry in Motion asks what happens when we encounter poetry while moving through and exploring our community spaces? These experiences blend walking, listening, conversation, and performance to explore relationships between language, land, memory, and belonging. Events may include downtown strolls, poetry hikes, riverside readings, and site-responsive performances throughout Lansing and beyond.

Pop-Up Poetry

Pop-Up Poetry brings poetry into everyday gathering spaces through themed readings, workshops, and collaborative events rooted in Black storytelling traditions, spoken word, and hip hop aesthetics. Whether in a coffee shop, greenhouse, market, or neighborhood space, each event invites audiences to experience poetry as something living, communal, and accessible.

Themes may include:

• Brew

• Go Green

• Diaspora & Belonging

• Storytelling & Sound

Community + Collaborations

These initiatives are grounded in collaboration with local artists, organizations, and community spaces. Current and ongoing partnerships include youth arts organizations, libraries, cultural centers, environmental spaces, and community groups across Lansing and beyond.

Interested in hosting a Pop-Up Poetry event, workshop, or Poetry in Motion experience?