Brought to campus by LBGT Resource Center organizers, Invincible animated the crowd, who left their seats to cheer in front of the stage for her performance.

After a set of influential lyrics, anecdotes and audience interaction, Invincible
ended the show with her song “Keep Goin’,” during which she enticed many audience members to share into her microphone what “keeps them going” through life’s hardships.

“I thought it was phenomenal,” said Lauren Spencer, LBGT Resource Center’s
program coordinator. “I really like that Invincible was able to get so many different identities and stories and truths involved in the show.”

Among the three slam poets who opened for Invincible, Lansing Community College sophomore Quinton Robinson said his poetic and musical inspiration comes from the surplus of truths and stories in his hometown, Flint, Mich.

“Once I saw the gap between the music we listen to now on the radio and what hip-hop was designed to be as a means for cultural change, I realized that these words actually have power,” Robinson said.

Invincible said she was very impressed with her audience, and that the Erickson Hall Kiva, which isn’t necessarily designed for performances such as these, didn’t “kill the vibe” at all.

“The energy was so high (Friday) and everybody was just so tuned in and helping to elevate it,” Invincible said. “Also the opening artists, the poetry society, were incredible ­— so they definitely helped set the tone.”

Invincible said being able to work with Detroit youth “keeps her going” more than anything else.
“When (my story) encourages other people to open up and tell their story — that’s where I feel like it has a deeper purpose to it,” Invincible said.

Spencer said events that are engaging and performance-based tend to reach audiences more than lectures or discussions, and plans to pursue more interactive events for the LBGT community in the future.

“I would love to see … a show talking about queer issues through hip-hop or through the spoken word,” Spencer said.