The history of poetry slams are rooted in a radical act of accessibility and self-expression. Emerging from the Black Arts Movement and the community-based poetry scenes that followed the Civil Rights Movement, slam poetry was never just about the performance or prize: it was about the ability to amplify unheard stories. It gave voice to stories that mainstream literature and history had long ignored and created space for marginalized voices to stand and speak in their truth. At Sakura Series, we carry this lineage forward. Our slams are not only a stage for artistic excellence and pushing pens, but also a continuation of that tradition of liberation where poets use their voices to challenge, heal, and reimagine what community can be.