In a continued push to deepen connections with first- and second-generation Antiguans and Barbudans across the United States, the Antigua and Barbuda Consulate General in New York is preparing to launch its second diaspora outreach initiative: a spoken word evening titled *Wadadli Speaks – Louder than Words*.
Scheduled to take place this Sunday, August 16, at the CUP venue located at 1107 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, the event is crafted specifically to highlight the literary and creative gifts of young Antiguan and Barbudan creators living abroad. Attendees can expect a dynamic evening of thought-provoking poetry, intimate personal storytelling, and engaging spoken word performances, all rooted in the unique cultural and lived experiences of the participating artists.
This gathering marks the second installment in a recurring series of connection-building events organized by the consulate. The first event, a Diaspora Mixer held this past March, was widely hailed as a success. It created a much-needed space for long-established members of the Antigua and Barbuda diaspora to connect meaningfully with the younger generation of community members born or raised in the U.S.
Consular Officer Michelle Lightfoot, who has led the planning of the series on behalf of the New York consulate offices, emphasized the mission behind the ongoing work: “We are hoping to build something positive from these activities.”
The timing of *Wadadli Speaks* is particularly strategic, coming just a few months ahead of Antigua and Barbuda’s national Art Week, scheduled to run from November 11 to 18. Lightfoot explained that the event serves a dual purpose beyond community connection: celebrating how artistic expression shapes and preserves Antiguan and Barbudan national identity, while also creating an opportunity to scout emerging diaspora talent to showcase their work during Art Week back in the home country.
For the Antigua and Barbuda diaspora in New York, the event represents both a celebration of shared cultural roots and a bridge connecting young creators abroad to cultural opportunities in their homeland.