ART is our WEAPON,
our MEDICINE, our VOICE, our VISION

"Creativity is the antidote for violence and destruction. Art is our most human expression, our voice to communicate our stories, to challenge injustice and the misrepresentations of mainstream media, to expose harsh realities and engender even more powerful hope, a force to bring diverse peoples together, a tool to rebuild our communities, and a weapon to win this struggle for universal liberation."

alixa + naima

WHO IS CLIMBING POETREE?

Depending on who you ask, you might hear about Alixa and Naima as mural painters, rabble rousers, or “exterior” decorators. They are as notorious for their fist-raising performances as they are for their arts-based political education workshops; as recognized for their visual art as they for Fashion Statement, their line of silk-screened clothing. Basically, Alixa and Naima are poets who moonlight as street artists, and infiltrate public schools and prisons with infectious ideas of how people can shape their own destinies.

A tattoo artist from Colombia and a gymnast from the back roads of Massachusetts, their powers combined they are the Heart Beat Soul Sister Artist Warrior duo "Climbing PoeTree".

Climbing PoeTree have blazed stages from Oakland to Atlanta, South Africa to Cuba with artists such as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Jessica Care Moore, The Last Poets, and Dead Prez. They have led workshops in institutions from Cornell University to Riker’s Island. And they have painted murals on walls from the Bronx, to Santiago, to Jamaica. Climbing PoeTree’s uses their art to expose injustice, heal from violence, and generate vision to help us all imagine a more just and compassionate world.

Climbing PoeTree LONG BIO

Climbing PoeTree is the expression of a growing movement for radical social change. Poets, performers, print-makers, dancers, muralists, and designers, Alixa and Naima have sharpened their art as a tool for popular education, community organizing, and personal transformation. With roots in Haiti and Colombia, Alixa and Naima reside in Brooklyn and track footprints across the country and globe on a mission to overcome destruction with creativity.

Each with her own impressive background in performing, teaching, and activism, Alixa and Naima made their debut as a duo in July of 2003, when they launched a four-month tour across the nation with a riveting multi-media dance and poetry performance about the effects of the War on Drugs on the people of America’s ghettos and Colombia’s farmlands. In its premier year, Climbing PoeTree also released its first album Stethoscope, and founded Fashion Statement, their sought-after line of sweat-free silk-screened clothing.

Upon return to New York, Alixa and Naima joined Blackout Arts Collective and propelled their 2004 and 2005 Lyrics on Lockdown tours, conducting workshops and headlining performances in prisons, detention centers, and communities most affected by rampant incarceration. In 2004, Alixa and Naima also began co-teaching poetry, visual arts, break-dancing, and leadership classes to children of incarcerated parents and youth in the New York City school system, launching them into a fertile career as resident artists and guest facilitators at schools, youth programs, and juvenile correctional institutions across NYC and the nation.

Among many highlights of 2004, Naima was a featured poet and panelist alongside Sonia Sanchez and Jessica Care Moore at the National Spoken Word Symposium in Iowa City, and Alixa was chosen as the "Ground Breaking" poet to represent the U.S. in a televised cultural exchange hosted in South Africa by LoveLife. Other televised appearances include HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and BET's The Next. And Climbing PoeTree starred alongside National Slam Champion Bryonn Bain in the hit music video Ancestors Watching, produced by Warrington Hudlin of House Party.

In 2005, Climbing PoeTree launched its second national tour “Migration” and initiated S.T.I.T.C.H.E.D.—a folk-media project where Alixa and Naima invite their audience participants to write their Stories, Testimonies, Intentions, Truths, Confessions, Healing Expressions, and Dreams on squares of fabric that are sewn together into colorful prayer flags showcased at every Climbing PoeTree show. S.T.I.T.C.H.E.D. is now close to 3000 submissions long, and as it multiplies Alixa and Naima use it to catalyze collective healing, anti-oppression, and media-arts workshops in communities across the country.

2006 began for Climbing PoeTree with a journey to Cuba and Jamaica to execute the largest murals Alixa and Naima have created to date. In the same season they produced their highly-anticipated second LP, Ammunition, whose release party in Brooklyn drew crowds from as far as Detroit, D.C., and Toronto. Tracks from this brave new album have been broadcast coast to coast, and Alixa and Naima have been featured on numerous radio shows from Hard Knock Radio on Berkeley’s KPFA to Wake Up Call on New York City’s WBAI.

From 2006 to present Climbing PoeTree has continued to rock crowds, open hearts, and incite action across the continent, delivering their mind-opening message via a poetic craft they have reinvented and mastered. Among numerous successes of recent years, highlights include an artist residency at the University of Illinois, a three island tour in Hawaii raising funds for young single mothers, and three powerful keynotes: “The 23rd Annual Empowering Women of Color Conference” at UC Berkeley, Resource Generation’s “Making Money Make Change,” and the “Bioneers 2007 Conference” at UMASS Dartmouth. Numerous magazines and literary journals—among them Clamour, Colorlines, and African Magazine—document the shockwaves of the soul-sister co-conspiracy of warrior poets who moonlight as street artists and infiltrate public schools and prisons with infectious ideas of how people can shape their own destinies.

In five self-organized independent tours, Climbing PoeTree has catalyzed over 500 crowds in more than 70 cities from Oakland to Atlanta, Johannesburg to Havana with artists such as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Danny Glover, The Last Poets, and Dead Prez. Alixa and Naima have led more than 100 arts-based political education, anti-racism, and entrepreneurial workshops in institutions from Cornell University to Rikers Island. And they have painted murals on walls from the Bronx to Santiago, Toronto to Jamaica. Through compelling artistry, these multi-talented, tireless, and driven young women expose injustice, help us heal from violence, and make a better future visible, immediate, and irresistible.

WHERE WE BEEN
Climbing PoeTree CV

FEATURED PERFORMERS OVER 500 TIMES TO DATE AT:

Local & international festivals, including:

“Blaktino Performance Festival,” Bronx, NY, 2007; “Guelph Festival of Art and Human Rights,” Guelph, ON; “Prisoners Justice Film Festival,” Toronto, ON, 2007; “Lilikoi Fair,” Kailua, Wailea, & Honolulu, HI, 2007; “Sound Session Music Festival,” Providence, RI, 2006; “National Pride for Women who Love Women,” Atlanta, GA, 2006; “Ladyfest South,” San Antonio, TX, 2006; “International African Arts Festival,” Brooklyn, NY, 2004; “Women Center Stage,” New York, NY, 2004; “Cultural Exchange International Art and Music Festival,” Portland, ME, 2004; “One World Fair,” Cummington, MA, 2004; “Female Flavor: Women in Hip Hop,” Bronx, NY, 2004; “National Blacks Arts Festival,” Atlanta, GA, 2003

Colleges & universities, including:

New York University, Cornell University, Brown University, Columbia University, Bard College, Penn State University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Oberlin College, Wesleyan College, Antioch College, Concordia College, University of Vermont, University of Rhode Island, Northeastern University, Clark University, Vassar College, Simmons College, Barnard College, Amherst College, Depaul University, University of Chicago, University of Iowa, University of Illinois at Champaign, School of Visual Arts, Smith College, Hampshire College, Boston College, New School University, University of Maryland, Sarah Lawrence College, Mills College, Mt Holyoke College, Canisius College, University of California at Sacramento, San Francisco City College, University of Wisconsin, Hobart and William Smith College, George Brown College of Toronto, Millikin University, University of Cincinnati, Florida International University, University of Houston, Humboldt State University, Wellesley College

Performance venues, including:

The Nuyorican Poets' Café, NY, NY; The Green Mill, Chicago, IL; Da Poetry Lounge, Los Angeles, CA; The Black Box, Oakland, CA; La Peña, Berkeley, CA; The National Black Theatre, Harlem, NY; The Hawaii Hut, Oahu, HI; The Black Repertory Theatre, Providence, RI; The Knitting Factory, NY, NY; The Lizard Lounge, Boston, MA; Dream, New Orleans, LA; Bad Juju Lounge, Seattle, WA; Veye-Yo, Miami, FL, Galeria de la Raza, San Francisco, CA; Casa de Hermanos Raiz, Santiago de Cuba; Mega Music, Jo’burg, South Africa

FEATURED PANELISTS/PRESENTERS AT:

Conferences, including:

“The 23rd Annual Empowering Women of Color Conference,” Berkeley, CA, 2008; “Bioneers.” Marion, MA, 2007; “United States Social Forum,” Atlanta, GA, 2007; “Hip Hop Congress,” Moorhead, MN, 2007; “Making Money Make Change,” Whitakers, NC, 2007; “Creating Institutional Change,” Madison, WI, 2006 and 2007; “Race, Privilege, and Cultural Competence: Creating Inclusive Communities in a Post-Katrina World”, Iowa City, Iowa, 2006; “Allied Media Conference,” Bowling Green, OH, 2006; The National Lawyers Guild “Law For the People Convention”, Austin, TX, 2006; “Just Say Know” SSDP International Conference, Washington D.C., 2006; North American Student Cooperative Organization, Ann Arbor, MI, 2005 and 2006; “Dreams Deferred: The Criminalization of America,” Northampton, MA, 2005; “The Miseducation of Hip Hop,” Chicago, IL, 2005; “Wielding Hammers: Women's Art and Liberation,” Ann Arbor, MI, 2005; “National Spoken Word Symposium,” Iowa City, IA, 2004; “National Black Writers Conference,” Brooklyn, NY, 2004

GUEST ARTISTS/WORKSHOP FACILITATORS AT:

Youth programs, including:

History of the Word, Vineyard Theatre, New York, NY, 2007, Youth Speaks Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 2007; Be the Change: Youth Environmental Justice Leadership Training, Detroit, MI, 2007; Green Teen Community Gardening Program, Beacon, NY, 2007, What it Means to be Latina/o Symposium, Milwaukee, WI, 2007, Osborne Association, Brooklyn, NY, 2005-2006; Time and Space Media Arts Camp, Hudson, NY, 2005-2006; Mission Urban Arts, San Francisco, CA, 2006; USI Digital Youth Network, Chicago, IL, 2006; Detroit Summer, Detroit, MI, 2006; Alternatives for Girls, Detroit, MI, 2006; SKETCH Art Studio for Street Youth, Toronto, ON, 2006; Project Row, Houston, TX, 2006; Urban Word, New York, NY, 2006; Bronx Institute, GEAR UP/ENLACE Summer Enrichment Academy, Bronx, NY, 2004-2005; YMCA, Roxbury, MA, 2004; East Harlem Tutorial Program, NY, NY, 2004; Incarcerated Mothers Program, NY, NY, 2004; Beacon Summer Camp, Beacon, NY, 2004; Casa Atabex Aché, Bronx, NY, 2004; Audre Lorde Project, Brooklyn, NY, 2004; Youth Opportunity Center, Philadelphia, PA, 2003

State institutions, including:

Rikers Island Prison Complex, New York, NY, 2004-present; Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, Springfield, OH, 2007; Women’s Correctional Association, NY, NY, 2005; Job Corpse, Washington D.C., 2005; Oak Hill Youth Facility, Laurel, MD, 2005; New Haven Correctional Center, New Haven, CT, 2004; La Casita (substance abuse treatment residential program), Bronx, NY, 2004; Valhalla Jail, Valhalla, NY, 2002-2003; Community Healthlink, Worcester, MA, 2000-2003; H.E.L.P. Bronx Family Shelter, Crotona, Bronx, NY, 2002

Colleges & universities, including:

University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2008; Georgetown Law Center, Washington DC, 2006; University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 2006; George Brown College, Toronto, ON, 2006; Brown University, Providence, RI, 2005; Columbia College, Chicago, IL, 2005; Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2004

Middle & high schools, including:

Washington Irving High, New York, NY 2007, Hoopa Valley High, Hoopa, CA, 2007, La Follette High, Madison, WI, 2006, 2007; Ella Baker High, NY, NY, 2004-2007; Crenshaw High, Los Angeles, CA, 2006; Jordan Senior High, Los Angeles, CA, 2006; Harriet Tubman Free School, Albany, NY, 2006; MATCH School, Boston, MA, 2005; Stevenson High, Bronx, NY, 2004-2005; Smith High, Bronx, NY, 2004-2005; Lehman High, Bronx, NY, 2004-2005; University Park Campus, Worcester, MA, 2003, 2004; Renaissance High, Watsonville, CA, 2003; University High School, Champaign, IL, 2003

PUBLISHED:

In print:

Affinity by Naima, self-published poetry book, 2005; Ala by Alixa, self-published poetry book, 2005; Altar Magazine Issue 2, Spring 2003; Up Rising by Naima, self-published poetry book, 2003; re'nas'cent by Alixa, self-published poetry book, 2003; Dark Phrases Volumes 11 and 13, 2001/2003; Sarah Lawrence Review 2000/2001; Street Signs, Bat City Press, 2000

Audio recording:

Ammuntion (Alixa and Naima’s debut album) 2006, The We That Sets Us Free (compilation produced by Justice Now) 2006; Rhymes and Royalties (compilation produced by Mo Amper Sounds) 2005; Stethoscope (Alixa and Naima’s demo) 2004; Manic Expressive (spoken word poetry compilation produced by Jared Paul) 2004

Video recording:

Ancestors Watching, Lyrics by Naima, Alixa, and Bryonn Bain, Music video executively produced by Warrington Hudlin, Black Filmmakers Foundation, 2006

INTERVIEWED/REVIEWD:

Colorlines, January, 2008; African Magazine, April, 2007; Hard Knock Radio, KPFA, March, 2007; The San Antonio Current, October, 2006; Catch Da Flava Radio, Toronto, September, 2006; The Chronogram, December 2005; People’s Weekly World, December, 2005; Blackout Radio, Cleveland, November 2005; Rust Belt Radio, Pittsburgh, November 2005; DetroitPoetry.Com, November, 2005; La Prensa, Chicago, September, 2005; Clamour Magazine, Issue 24, January/February 2004; Dynamic Magazine, March 2004; Black Entertainment Television (BET)'s prime time show The Next, June 26 and 29, 2004; Democracy Now, October, 2002

PRAISE FOR CLIMBING POETREE
testimonies from audience members

“I had the pleasure of hearing you at the Black Rep and may I say that I have never been so moved in all of my life… The message you are sending is positive, fulfilling, heart-wrenching and motivational.”
~ I'Loner L. Weaver, Providence, RI

“There is a burning flame on my heart and skin because I am like a chameleon shedding its dead cells off growing into a new me… Meeting you was not in vain. “
~ Ongezwa Mbele, Durban, South Africa

“I have been forever changed from your words and presence.”
~ Corrina, Harrisburg, PA

“Your words seem powerful enough to annihilate ignorance and invigorate change... absolutely beautiful. Beautiful.”
~ Lilian O, Los Angeles, CA

“Your art truly reflects the pain, struggle and community of the world at large. I thank you for being so dedicated and creative in your resistance.”
~ Stacey Toro, Bronx, NY

"There is so much conviction in your eyes, your voices, and in your souls. I felt like you shed a bit of your love, identities, and struggles for us and I can speak on behalf of everyone to say that none of it went unnoticed.”
~ Mario Dell, Detroit, MI

“The love that drives and fuels you to do these works is the same love I pray with, the same one I kneel to at my altar, the same stuff that bids me to continue. Thank you again and again for doing love's work, for having the courage to be yourselves and to fight for all of us.”
~ Sparlha Swa, Brooklyn, NY

”My dear sistahs, …Ochun is with you, giving you love and protection as you tour the country spreading the words of liberation”
~ Nehanda Abioudun, Havana, Cuba

”I was blessed to see ya'll making history in the Bay, I swear folks had their own internal revolutions that night.”
~ Ta’i, Oakland, CA

“You sistahs are magical, intoxicating. Your words lead me to transcend...”
~ Martha Cartagena, Chicago, IL

“I don't remember meeting more sincerely dedicated individuals than yourselves. Your spirit shines thru your art form and glows like a beacon on a cloudless night.”
~ Ty Gray-EL, Washington D.C.

“Thank you so much for sharing your revolutionary voices with The Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Advocate/Counselor Program in Toronto! It’s beyond thrilling to know there are visionaries like you spreading words of truth and peace with such loving conviction and strength. Your gifts of storytelling moved me in ways I cannot explain!”
~ Cheryl Fox, Toronto, ON

“…I can still hear your voices ringing in my head today.”
~ Sasha Ryan, Washington D.C.

“I’m just here on behalf of Ms. Reddy's 3rd period class at Crenshaw High school in L.A. Not only did I love and enjoy the workshop you guys had planned out it honestly moved me in such a positive way. You guys are amazing!”
~ Romario Aguilar, Los Angeles, CA

“Your performance moved me, touched me and inspired me to create change, to start action that I have been contemplating for years.”
~ Chris, Toronto, ON

“There are beautiful surprises and treasures in every line you write, I will hold onto them forever.“
~ Brendon, Providence, RI

“Two wise and beautiful souls spouting the truth in such a way that makes one cry and laugh and rage and hope all in a matter of hours… you two create, something so raw, and so inspiring. I hope your message will be heard by all.”
~ Michelle Pizzuli, Cleveland, OH