Plane Tickets, Poetry & Pasta: My Journey from Montreal to the World

My name is Kym Dominique-Ferguson. I'm a spoken word artist, writer, and teacher based in Tiohtià:ke—colonially known as Montréal—on the traditional lands of the Kanienʼkéhaka (Mohawk people).

I've been blessed with two extraordinary opportunities this year, and I'm reaching out to invite you to be part of the journey.

Pictured above: My first one-man show performance, Born Jamhaitianadian.

The Opportunities

Vancouver, BC | Canadian Individual Poetry Slam | April 29 – May 2, 2026

I recently won the Throw Poetry Collective's Montreal Slam Championship, which means I'll be representing my city at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam (CIPS)—the nation's national poetry competition. This is a huge honour. CIPS brings together 24 poets from across the country to compete as part of the Verses Festival of Words. The top poet earns the chance to represent Canada at the World Slam Championship.

I'll be performing poems across two preliminary bouts before (hopefully) advancing to finals on May 2nd, where Spin El Poeta will be featuring. This isn't just a competition—it's a chance to connect with this generation of spoken word artists from coast to coast, and stamp my name into the annals of Canadian Poetry History.

Pictured above: Five of my students from our workshops and I take a picture together at the Throw Poetry Slam finals, celebrating my win!

Rome & Florence, Italy | La Dolce Vita Program | August 2 – 9, 2026

I was selected to participate in an immersive writing, language, and culinary program in Italy. This isn't a vacation—it's a creative deep-dive.

The program combines guided writing sessions, Italian language exposure, hands-on cooking classes, and cultural immersion rooted in place-based storytelling. It's a chance to feed my craft from two directions: words and food.

About Me

I'm a writer, spoken word artist, actor, and mentor raised in the Caribbean with Jamaican and Haitian roots. That cultural foundation runs through everything I create.

I founded Madpoetix Productions to help shape Montreal's spoken word scene, curating events like The Phenomenal 5IVE and the Madpoetix Soirée Open Mic. So far we've platformed over a thousand artists, and featured well over 300 in the 19 years since this all first started.

I've co-written for the historical play BLACKOUT: The Concordia Computer Riots, developed my solo play Dear Black Man (supported by the Canada Council for the Arts), and am currently writing a Caribo-futuristic novel, Echoes of Anansi, and a theatre piece titled Uncle Jimmy: A Discussion between James Baldwin and Trayvon Martin.

I am a co-host of CKUT's Soul Perspectives, which earned me a Community Radio Personality of the Year award at the Gala Dynastie in 2019. I mentor emerging artists through my Unleash Your Voice writing and performance workshops, among others, and am committed to creating space for voices that need to be heard.

Why I'm Fundraising

Here's the reality: grants are never guaranteed, and even when they come through, the funding often arrives after the project is already done. I'm applying for every grant I can, but both of these opportunities are happening now—I can't wait for funding cycles that may not align with my travel dates.

My goal is $9,500 to cover flights, insurance, accommodations, and program fees.

Expense & Estimated Cost

Total $9,500 CAD

With fuel prices fluctuating wildly due to the state of the world right now, these numbers could climb at any moment. I'm setting aside what I can from my own income, but I can't do this alone.

Deadlines & Urgency

Your support at this moment makes all the difference. Here's what I'm working toward:

Vancouver:

Italy:

Every contribution gets me closer to hitting these deadlines. Thank you for helping me get there on time.

What You'll Receive

I believe in reciprocity. Here's how I want to thank you for being part of this journey:

Tier 1 – $50 and under

A thank-you mention on the Madpoetix About Us page as a valued donor.

Tier 2 – $51 to $100

Everything in Tier 1, plus a large jar of unscented body butter, and your name (or a name of your choice) on my Madpoetix-branded sweater that I'll be wearing throughout the Vancouver competition.

Tier 3 – $101 and up

Everything in Tier 2, instead of one, you get two large jars of unscented body butter, and a personalized, handwritten thank-you letter mailed to you.

What Folks Are Saying

"I just love the energy that the facilitator and participants bring to every session—in sickness or health, high vibes or low—it is just about creating in community, connected creativity where we can show up as we are in that moment."

"We were spoiled one evening with leftover snacks from an event prior to our session. I greatly appreciate how Kym picked up on how snacks added to the ambiance, and without a miss, he would bring them for us every week. This also encouraged others to bring in abundance. This gesture helped form the solitude in unity and a shared space that belonged to us all."

— Workshop participants

Why This Matters

This isn't just about travel. It's about showing up—for Montreal on a national stage, for my craft in an international creative community, and for the young artists who look to see what's possible. Representation matters. When I step onto that stage in Vancouver, I'm carrying more than my own poems. When I sit down to write in Rome, I'm bringing my Caribbean roots, my Montreal community, and every story that's still waiting to be told.

If you've ever believed in the power of words, in the importance of showing up, or simply in me—I'd be honoured to have you along for this ride.

Share This Campaign

Even if you can't donate, sharing this campaign with your network means the world. Word of mouth is its own kind of currency. A share, a text, a post—it all helps me get one step closer to the stage.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for considering. And thank you for helping me get there.

With gratitude,

Kym Dominique-Ferguson