LANSING - Congas, bongos and poetry echoed through a downtown coffee shop Friday during a poetry slam to honor Black History Month.

Four poets read their works to a packed audience at Gibson’s Books And Beans, 320 N. Capitol Ave. The “Creating Dialogues Poetry Slam 2001” was one of a series of events that focused on Lansing Community College’s theme, “Black History Month Is All Of Us.”

Black History Month runs through February.

“This was more than just entertainment,” said Elaine Miles, a performer at the event. “There was a message in the poetry. Everybody learned a lot.”

Miles, a member of LCC’s Black History Month Planning Committee, includes inner city themes in her writing and jazz and hip-hop elements in her performances.

The featured poets provided lyrics backed by pulsating beats and rhythms.

“I think the biggest importance is for people to know that Black History Month is not just a month, it’s 365 days.” said Reco Kalaam, a 1997 LCC graduate and poetry performer. “Poetry is the essence of your spirit. It’s in the rhythms of the old slave language and allows your spirit to speak.

“We blacks share a common thread in life. We just need to find the needle to sew the thread.”

Natalie Albrecht, an LCC student relations employee, attended the poetry slam with friends.

“I like a lot of the poetry by African Americans,” she said. “LCC just does a really great job with cultural events. I’ll be going to the gospel night, too.”

Gospel Night is 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Kennedy Cafeteria at LCC’s Arts and Science Building, 419 N. Washington Square. The event will highlight the history of church traditions in American society.

For more information about LCC Black History Month events, call 483-1059.