Jaylene Clark Owens Inspires Mercy Community with her Spoken Word

On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Mercy University’s Office of Campus Life hosted a powerful Black Excellence Dinner, bringing together students, faculty, and staff to honor Black History Month. The evening featured award-winning actress and poet Jaylene Clark Owens as the keynote speaker, captivating the audience with her spoken word poetry and inspiring message of empowerment.

Owens, renowned for her dynamic performances across theater, television, and film, kicked off the event with her signature piece, “My Voice, My Choice.” The poem challenges societal pressures that encourage Black women to suppress their voices to avoid being perceived as “angry.” With lines like, “This voice is yours, so own it, stand up for its validity and powerful places, be its proponent,” Owens encouraged the audience to embrace their authentic voices and speak with confidence.

Throughout the evening, Owens performed several of her most impactful pieces, including “Mind Yo Business” and “F.O.M.U.”—a playful yet profound poem about granting oneself grace in the face of mistakes. 

Beyond poetry, Owens addressed the pressures of social media, reminding attendees that online highlights do not reflect the full reality of people’s lives. “Social media is just a highlight reel… but it does not tell the true story,” she cautioned. She also urged students to check in on their friends, emphasizing that even those who appear to be thriving may be struggling internally.

The night concluded with her viral poem “A Black Girl and Her Braids,” a celebration of Black beauty and identity. This piece, which has resonated with audiences nationwide, has been adapted into a children’s book set for release by Penguin Random House in 2026.

“A Black girl in her braids goes best with everything. But sometimes they give us grief. Say we can't rock braids and write a legal brief. Maybe we can be the executive assistant. But with braids we could never be chief. Cuz for some reason they feel braids can't be corporate,” Owens recited, challenging stereotypes. 

The poem reinforces pride in cultural expression, ending with the lines: “We gon' get it braided up for any occasion. Rooted in Africa it's a style that never fades. Ain't nothin in this world like a Black Girl and her braids.”

Her words left a lasting impact on students, many of whom expressed deep appreciation for the event’s significance.

“As a young African American woman and student, events like this show me that my university values and appreciates my community,” said freshman Nia Bligen. “I truly felt that way at the Black Excellence Dinner.” 

Bligen added that she was captivated by the poems, which made her feel acknowledged and instilled confidence in her identity. “She inspired me to embrace my beauty as an African American woman, reminding me that my hair is beautiful, whether it's in its natural state or styled in braids. After her performance, I was filled with gratitude and empowerment!” 

Junior Colleen Edwards-Blankson echoed the sentiment, saying, “The entire performance resonated with me. Everything she touched on were things that a person of color would probably experience but nobody wants to say or wants to admit or is scared to say in front of other people who aren't people of color because they might, like she said, say you're an angry black woman.” She concluded, “It's nice that someone's able to turn that into an amazing work of art, and other people are able to understand as well.” 

The Black Excellence Dinner at Mercy University was not just a celebration but a powerful affirmation of identity, resilience, and cultural pride. Owens’ performance left attendees inspired, reminding them that their voices, experiences, and heritage deserve to be celebrated—today and every day.

Campus Life Director Alena Kush, Mercy University President Susan L. Parish and Jaylene Clark Owens