
KANE SMEGO
Poetry · Hip Hop · Performance · Education


Performances
Kane's performances cover the spectrum of emotion and energy, from light and upbeat lyricism to deep introspection and social commentary. As both a poet and a Hip Hop artist, Kane has the ability to connect with audiences through storytelling, verse, or song and can tailor performances to fit the theme of an event.
From Hawaii to Berlin, Kane has featured at such historic venues as the Bonarroo Music and Arts Festival, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Da Poetry Lounge, and the birthplace of Slam Poetry--Chicago's Green Mill. He has also performed his work at the Shriver Report Live hosted by Atlantic Magazine (as seen on C-SPAN) , the Aspen Institute's ThinkXChange, and the Def Poetry Jam Reunion.

Workshops
Utilizing his innovative YouTh ink curriculum, Kane's workshops foster literacy and social-emotional learning by leading participants in exploring their intersectional identities and telling their story through the written and spoken word. Workshops can be customized to fit a desired age-group or to touch on topics being covered in a course or conference. The YouTh ink. Curriculum utilizes culturally-relevant pedagogy that is learner-centered and designed to benefit participants in five specific ways:
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Enhance social-emotional learning (SEL)
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Facilitate identity exploration
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Refine writing and analytical skills
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Develop performance and public speaking competency
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Build self-confidence

Lectures and Presentations
Kane's lectures focus on community building, intersectional identity, anti-racism, leadership, education, and the role of storytelling as a tool for transcending differences.
Kane has been a keynote speaker at the National Association of Social Workers Conference, Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., as well a presenter at TEDX UNC, the Civicus World Assembly, the Aspen Institute, and other prestigious conferences and events across the country.
Background Photo Credit: Abby O. Photography

