For the Love of Poetry

    ABOUT US

The FTLOP family is a group of entrepreneur poets that are unsatisfied with the opportunities and appreciation of poets by the world today. This is mainly due to the fact that the world itself is not exposed to the beauty of spoken word. There are few places that sanction the talent of spoken word artists outside of the poetry community, thus making poetry not easily accessed if not with the properly guided channels to its current events. What our company provides is a portal without prejudice to all other poetry providers, and our own unique style of poetry in order to further advance the face of poetry to the world. We also want to provide a different face for the black community that otherwise is represented on television by over glorified street rappers, or just a negative face on the evening news. Whenever there is something positive brewing in the black community, there is very little exposure of these accounts or people. We recent that and we strive towards a different outlook for people without a reference to the black community other than what is sadly allocated for audiences on television. Television is called programming for a reason! We the youth look to finally take poetry to the forefront that it deserves, and to expose the magnificent talents of our generation, along with their voice which is so consistently obscured in this point in time in history. Let our voices be heard!

-FTLOP Team

                                     Mic Barber

Holding a mic and standing on the big stage does not mean that you belong there. A combination of charisma, showmanship, and the ability to control a crowd mark the essence of a true MC and a great host. So when an individual can grace a stage and spark the attention of the entire crowd, then develop their skills assisting others in crafting theirs in the recording studio and in a live arena, they deserve the opportunity to prove themselves as deserving of seizing the Mic.

            Mic grew up in the Claremont Housing section of the South Bronx with his mother, Olean and four of his seven siblings. His three sisters, Ebony (aka Onyxx), Vera, and Colleen, and one of his two brothers, Percy. He also has two other sisters; RaShaun and Rida on his father’s side. It was after moving to live with his father in Chicago at an early age that he was introduced to music through his older brother, Miles. When Mic eventually moved back with his mother in New York, he could not keep the rhythms and his new found love for music out of his head. He took this passion and nurtured it by participating in numerous performing arts events at C.J.H.S. Mic later transferred to DeWitt Clinton High School and expanded his role as a host and performer in a number of shows ranging from fashion, dance, to live music performances while excelling in sports and academics. This evolution of his talents and abilities was carried over onto a bigger stage; St. Johns University.

            Mic began creating a legacy for himself, organizing a host of activities and events on and off campus. His charismatic and energetic personality caught the attention of the higher ups, who called upon his expertise to host every notable event on St. Johns’ campus including “Amateur Night at SJU”, “Who the Next MC Battle”, and the campus favorite, “Black Music Fest Concert” which showcased artists such as Mobb Deep, Kanye West, and Talib Qwali. This launched his career and gave him more focus into his unique niche within the entertainment industry. Now working with starving artists and producers, Mic took his own personal experience and his gift for interacting and started teaching others to assist others in honing their skills in the recording studio, preparing for live performances, and using their network and resources to get their career over the hump and into the next phase in the entertainment business.

            Mic has compiled a list of accomplishments that has molded him into a force to be reckoned with. He has been a contestant on VH1’s “I Want to Work for Diddy” show, and is the traveling host for the “For the Love of Poetry” team, a group of poets that strive to build an unprejudiced portal for poets, singers, and MC’s to enter the mainstream. His entrepreneurial spirit has also led him to establish M.I.C Management, a company geared to kick starting artists’ career by developing their imagination and directing them down their individual path towards their calling in the entertainment business. Their services range from talent booking, to event planning, and promotions. While working as a banker, Mic is now living a purpose driven life as a paid host and event planner. Mic, with the help of his team, now host two events in the New York City area that assist new artists, poets, and producers showcase their talents. As he transcends his vision towards the future, he seeks to build a legacy for himself and his family while staying approachable to aspiring artists that want to step up to the Mic.

Credentials

Founder & CEO of M.I.C. Management. Host & Event Planner with For the Love of Poetry. Other than that, He just throws Mad Parties!!!

Favorite Quote:" I'll see you @ the top, its too crowded down here"

Mike Barber
M.I.C Management
Chief Financial Officer

The Black Plague

            On August 18, 1978 in a small town called Vietnam in the small island of the Dominican Republic was born the entity that we know as “The Black Plague”. Born Francisco Javier Reyes, the Plague was born to the unforgiving arms of poverty. A poverty that he once bowed to prevent for his family and his people at all cost. In 1985 he landed in America, where the plague was destined to fulfill his dream through education, hard work, and determination. To make this dream possible he started a poetry company called “For the Love of Poetry”, in where he entrusted all of his faith to lead him to this vision. Equipped with knowledge, this team of poetic scholars have traveled the map to spread their voice in any and every mic they could get their hands on to follow this vision. A vision of a brighter and more tangible option for struggling poets that harbor the gift of spoken word.

Spoken word is not only an amazing art form, but it is also a tool. A tool that can help heal, teach, and even connect people to one another. Through his poetry The Black Plague tells his story. He reveals his fears, his dreams, his hopes, but most importantly his truth! There are many that have the God given talent to express themselves in such a magnificent way, but there are few that put it to good use and follow a greater dream than to simply self glorify. The Black Plague fights for “Poetry”, which is the mother of his gift and the key component to his success. Plague is determined to create a bigger and more deserving platform for this undeniably noble ancient tool of expression.

            The Black Plague is a childcare counselor with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. He works with Children in a Psychiatric Treatment Facility in New York. He has been in venues such as The Nuyorican Poets Café, The Bowery Poetry club, The Urban Juke joint, Sin Sin Lounge, Sutra lounge, Silk Road Café, and many more. He has also appeared in many colleges including New York University, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Lehman College, Monroe College, Pace University, Stony Brook University, Bronx Community College, Purchase College, and many more.

Favorite Quote: “You can make money or make excuses, but only one amounts to something when you add them up”.

Francisco J. Reyes

For the Love of Poetry

Chief Executive Office