Twelve contestants, including two groups, will be vying for the top prize in Tuesday's 29th annual UNCP Talent Show.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. at Givens Performing Arts Center.
Alumnus Nick Courmon, a talented poet and spoken word artist, will serve as show emcee. Courmon has received national exposure since earning his degree in 2019. Last year, one of his poems released on Tik Tok was featured in the Los Angeles Times. A graduate student at N.C. Central University, Courmon uses his art to teach African American history, address social issues and advocate for mental health awareness. He has also been featured on NBC's Today, VICE News and Narratively.
He has participated in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam and has been a featured performer at the North Carolina African American Cultural Celebration, the National Black Theatre Festival, N.C. African Film Festival and the Mother Drum Healing Arts Foundation Festival.
Currently, he is represented by The College Agency, touring and performing on college campuses. He was showcased at the National Association of Campus Activities' annual conference this year.
This year's UNCP contestants are Ayanni Sequoia, Joshua McEachern, Shadiamondu Thorne, Chloe Stephens, William Duff, Anais Castilla, Bonnie Ray-Pollard, Ahmaad Green, the dance duo of Joseph Smith and Brandon Turay, K-Revolution, Onyx Odgers and last year's winner Tai'Jea Davis.
The Pembroke Activities Council is hosting the event.