The Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading (LHCPR) shares the works of Langston Hughes, specifically, because of the poet's proven ability to scrutinize, illuminate and engage critical thought around prevailing structures and realities. With work centering creative survival, development, self actualization, individuality and political mobilization, Hughes work becomes a natural conduit for engaged conversation and deep consideration. The sophistication of the poetry produced by Hughes is of a quality and breath that it easily engages both new- and ‘old’ comers. Similarly, the works create communal conjurings of improved futures and thought patterns that lend themselves to the learning, opening, and widening of minds. The LHCPR utilizes this work to create community, facilitate pedagogies empowering free will, independent thinking, and empathy.