By Maggie Downs
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Akron native Donald Hawkins, 26, came to Cincinnati looking for an inspirational community.

He found it in Liberated Souls, an organization that nurtures artists, poets, dancers and musicians during monthly gatherings.

IF YOU GO

What: Liberated Souls, the Evolution of Black Music. The night will explore the many genres of black music through a variety of art forms - dance, music, visual arts, poetry and more. Where: Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville. When: 9 to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Doors open at 8:45 p.m. Future dates: Sept. 13, Oct. 12 (Enjoy the Arts 20/20 II festival), Nov. 15, Dec. 13. Information: E-mail info@liberatedsouls.com or call 513-225-8785.

"I saw so many new faces, and yet I never felt like I was a stranger," said the Clifton resident, a Kroger Web developer. "We're all kindred spirits in some way."

Liberated Souls was the brainchild of Emmanuel Yamoah, 28, a New Jersey transplant who now resides in Reading.

He gathered a group of five other local, like-minded individuals from various ethnic backgrounds.

They formed what they wanted to see in the Queen City: An open forum for people to learn about each other. A place to make everyone an artist. A creative space for people stifled by a corporate world.

"It's the only place I've come across where the goal isn't necessarily to be the best or to belittle one another," Hawkins said. "It's all about love."

Almost 200 people attended the first gathering of Liberated Souls in March 2001 at Cafe Aroma (now Manna) downtown. By the end of the evening, almost all the audience members were clamoring for a chance at the open mike. And that was the point.

"One of the visions was to allow for a venue for creative expression," said Brenda Conwell, 51, of Kennedy Heights, another founder. "It didn't matter if you are very talented or not. If you had a passion for it, we would give you an outlet.

"Hence the name, Liberated Souls. We not only liberate the artist. We liberate the audience, as well."

The next show is tonight at Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, 9 to 12:30 p.m. Doors open at 8:45 p.m. For more information, e-mail info@liberatedsouls.com or call 225-8785.

E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com