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Panama soweto

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Challenging ideas about bullying, single-parenthood, sexual abuse, self-advocacy, and discrimination through his mastery of the spoken word.

  • Featured on National Public Radio (NPR)

  • Featured in The HuffingtonPost.com

  • Speaker for TEDXCSU

  • Multiple NACA Showcases as Dynamic Duo

Panama Soweto is Based Out of Denver, Colorado

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Bio

Literary bloggers have called his work, “transformative,” and “inspiring.” JC Futrell aka Panama Soweto work has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR), The HuffingtonPost.com, and most recently as a speaker for TEDXCSU. JC Futrell is a social and political activist, also known by his stage name Panama Soweto for his internationally acclaimed spoken word poetry/performance career. In mid-2020, Denver Colorado’s St*pleton neighborhood finally voted to change its name after pressure from the BLM5280.

The neighborhood was named after a former mayor of Denver and a known member of the kkk, Ben Stapleton. One of the names nominated to replace St*pleton was Mosley Park, after JC’s grandparents, John W. and Edna Mosley. JC quickly led a successful grassroots renaming campaign, teaching the community about his grandparents, and leading the crucial conversation about racial inequity and collective healing in Denver. John and Edna Mosley were civil rights Activists in Denver.

They were trailblazers who, among many other noteworthy accomplishments, broke the housing barrier in Aurora, Colorado, created institutions to provide financial stability to working families, and supported Colorado school systems to ensure students got a quality education. JC believes that naming places after local African American heroes symbolizes a small step towards reconciliation and understanding.

His deep connection to the arts and political communities afforded him unique opportunities for collaboration in his campaign efforts, leading to thousands of supporters, media coverage, and the advancement of social change. He possesses a unique cross-disciplinary perspective on dismantling systemic racism and is highly regarded as a civil rights activist, poet, hip-hop artist, educator, non-profit executive, and social justice thought leader across the country.

Panama is available to host, guest lecture, perform or serve as an expert panelist or featured speaker/performance poet on the following topics:

--Social Justice
--Political Marketing
--Dismantling Racism
--Socially Engaged Art
--Connecting Historically Underserved Communities to the Arts
--Using Activism to Heal our Communities
--Creating Access to Power for Communities of Color

--The Role of Public Art and Symbols in the Fight Against Systemic Racism

Key academic applicability: Political Science, English, Sociology, Marketing, Communications, African-American Studies, Fine Arts, Poetry, Ethics, Civics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Non-Profit Management, History, Education, Arts Education, Human Services, Civil Rights Law

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“Panama/JC’s work is a true form of art. His presentation is authentic, captivating and is exactly the message we all need to energize, rejuvenate, and refocus as we continue to take on our role in making this world a better place.  The energy he brought to the space and the celebration was phenomenal. Who you see on stage is not an act, he is a great person day in and day out who lives by his word. In working with Panama, you will find him to be very professional, humble, and easy to work with. We look for every opportunity to book him for our events. He is truly the best of the best.”

Colorado State University

"I must share with you that I was most impressed with a couple of your poems – Heroes and Consume. Your presentation was high energy, entertaining, and deeply touching."

Robert Auchter,

EKU Center for the Arts

"...Panama Soweto has let his heart control his words... and let his personal experiences shine through his trade."

303 Magazine.com

"If you thought poetry doesn't mix well with live music and comedy, think again."

Daily Iowan, Iowa

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