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Hive Over Matter celebrates second year with 'Herstory' event in Tampa Heights

 
Hive Over Matter hosts its second annual Pinot & Poetry: A Toast to Herstory celebration awarding its second annual Herstory Poetry Award & Life Scholarship to honor poets and authors who use their artistry to empower and uplift women. The celebration also features music, food, vendors, give-aways, vendors, wine and more. Special to the Times | Hive Over Matter
Hive Over Matter hosts its second annual Pinot & Poetry: A Toast to Herstory celebration awarding its second annual Herstory Poetry Award & Life Scholarship to honor poets and authors who use their artistry to empower and uplift women. The celebration also features music, food, vendors, give-aways, vendors, wine and more. Special to the Times | Hive Over Matter
Published Nov. 16, 2018

Self-empowerment, shared economics and transformative communities.

Hive Over Matter built its start on those pillars and continues to abide by them now in its second year.

The storytelling organization, dedicated to fostering women entrepreneurship and self-empowerment through art and affirmation, has gained momentum since founder Jomil Bell started it in February 2017, and coming from Michigan, where the arts aren't as prevalent as Tampa, Bell was surprised by its support.

"My initial vision was to create a culture that allowed women the permission, safety and space to own what they are, flaws and all," Bell said.

"Seeing the momentum it has gained is so exciting. I was surprised by how supportive the poetry community is and the evolution from Hive Over Matter was surprising because it was organic. It didn't happen overnight."

Hive Over Matter stages its second annual Pinot & Poetry: A Toast to Herstory at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, 2005 N Lamar Ave. It'll award its coveted Herstory Poetry Award & Life $500 Scholarship at 6 p.m. on Saturday (Nov 17) located at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, 2005 N Lamar Ave. There also will be a happy hour at 7 p.m., and general admission tickets cost $20.

Hive Over Matter finds it very important to celebrate those who actively participate in a counter-culture that positively reflects women and families, and created this event to honor poets and authors who use their artistry to empower and uplift women.

The contest, which is solely online, ended on Oct. 30 and required artists from the Tampa Bay area to submit videos of their original poems, illustrating or celebrating the impact of women in "herstory".

Similar to last year, the event features music, food, give-aways, wine and various vendors such as Pure Romance, Paparazzi Jewelry and Yes We Did, a publishing company.

"Participating in the Herstory Contest was a very fun, uplifting, and humbling experience for me," said Herstory 2017 Award winner Whitney Mays aka "Whit the Poet."

"I had to project and advertise my work so that people can see that it's not only about the poem itself, but more so about how you get people involved into what you are promoting. I love poetry and I loved what Hive Over Matter and the Herstory Contest stands for."