The Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA), founded by Gwendolyn Brooks and presented annually by Guild Literary Complex, celebrates outstanding original poetry by Illinois writers. Finalists selected by guest judge I.S. Jones will perform their work live for a chance to win a $500 audience prize, publication in RHINO Poetry, and an invitation to read at the Evanston Writers Workshop’s 2026 conference.

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://epiphanychi.com/events/gwendolyn-brooks-open-mic-awards-gboma-2026-finals/

Date: Thursday, October 1st, 2026

Doors: 5:00 PM

Showtime: 7:00 PM

At Chase House

2025 GBOMA Finalists

Dywaine Betts Jr

John Franklin Dandridge

Sylvia Ewing*

Lotus Fulton

Gregorio Gomez

Thomas Gossett

Samina Hadi-Tabassum*

David Mathews

David Orr*

Hilesh Patel

Sandra Santiago

Suzie Torres

Kira Tucker

Sooahn Yang

Miranda Barfuss

E’mon Lauren