Ben 'Broken English' Figueroa Named Union City Poet Laureate

The City of Union City, Mayor Brian P. Stack and Board of Commissioners have appointed Ben "Broken English" Figueroa as the City's new Poet Laureate. The appointment was made at the City's last Commissioners meeting held this past Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Ben “Broken English” Figueroa is a self-taught writer, spoken word artist, and stage performer. “Broken English” was raised in Union City, New Jersey in a large (6 brothers and 4 sisters), opinionated, Puerto Rican family. Ben’s family and culture have heavily influenced his work. He relishes using his craft to explore timeless issues that tend to make the general populace uncomfortable. Racism, transgender angst, the follies of organized religion, and the perils of fatherhood are only a few topics this philosophically irreverent wordsmith touches on.

“Broken English” is a long standing and highly respected member of the New Jersey Arts Community. He works tirelessly to contribute to State’s underground arts landscape. He has headlined shows at Howl Festival, The Bowery Poetry Club, and several New Jersey colleges and universities.

In 2007 “Broken English” was hired to be a lead cast member and teaching artist by The Mayhem Poets for their new project Slam Chops. Since then Ben has taught poetry and spoken word workshops and residencies in schools throughout New York and New Jersey, including Pace University.

Ben has represented the state of New Jersey as a member of the 2010 Loser Slam Team (Long Branch, NJ), the 2011 and 2012 Jersey City Slam North East Regional Slam Team, the 2011 North East Regional Individual Poetry Slam, and has served as performance coach to poets competing in The Individual World Poetry Slam, the Women of the World Poetry Slam, and the National Poetry Slam. Figueroa is currently the Slammaster and Host of Jersey City Slam which he founded in 2009, that is equal parts Battle Royale and house party which takes place every Friday night at the Grassroots Community Space. Whether through poems, monologues, or in the classroom, Ben Figueroa’s goal is to leave an impression in the minds of those who read his work on paper or see it performed.

Ben is both excited and honored about the opportunity given to him. He looks forward to promoting the art of poetry and spoken word, as well as representing the City of Union City and the State of New Jersey with honor and distinction.

For now, Ben may be reached by calling the Union City Office of Public Affairs, at 201-348-5746.

For more info on the Union City art scene, visit: www.UnionCityArtScene.blogspot.com.

Photo Credit: Daniel Kofi Morteh.