VOICES reading, November 12: CJ Suitt

Thursday, November 12: Performance Poet and Organizer CJ Suitt (in collaboration with ENST), 7:30 PM, Daugherty Palmer Commons; introduced by Professor Parisa Rinaldi 

CJ Suitt (he/him or they/them) is a performance poet, arts educator, community organizer, and Restorative Justice practitioner from Chapel Hill, NC. His work lives at the intersection of art, healing, and justice, rooted in a deep belief that storytelling can connect people across difference and create pathways toward collective liberation. 

As the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Chapel Hill, CJ uses poetry as a tool for reflection, resistance, and community-building. He has co-directed and performed in theatrical productions, shared stages at national music festivals, and brought his voice to classrooms, prisons, and public forums alike. 

His practice as a restorative justice advocate has led him to work with youth awaiting trial, incarcerated elders, and young men redefining masculinity in their schools and communities. Through collaborations with organizations like Transplanting Traditions, Benevolence Farm, and Growing Change, he explores how food, land, and story intertwine in the work of justice. 

CJ is committed to speaking truth to power and to build bridges where others see barriers. His values—truth, care, and connection—guide every space he enters.