That Peace Open Mic reflects on 10 years of poetry, truthtelling and music

Where is your safe space?

Is there somewhere you are able to be your truest self?

For some in Indianapolis, it’s behind the microphone at community centers, coffee shops and libraries. These events, known as open mics, are more than just stages for reading poems out loud; they’re affirmations of identity and belonging.

“To share my poetry on gender identity for the first time ever at a local open mic and it be so accepted and loved, I knew I had to keep writing and sharing my story,” said Imani Lehté, a local poet and frequent attendee of That Peace Open Mic.

Lehté, a self-described queer poet and community builder, was one of about 40 people who attended a TPOM pop-up panel discussion at The AMP at 16 Tech. The Aug. 15 panel celebrated 10 years of TPOM by featuring Black, local open mic creatives.

There were five panelists: Mariah Ivey, the founder of TPOM; Januarie York, co-founder of Vocab Open Mic; Tony Styxx, host of Vibe on Wednesday; AMH, founder of Vibe on Wednesday; and Synergy, co-founder of Kafe’ Kuumba. Poet Auboni Hart, who often hosts TPOM, was the moderator.

We all spent the evening exploring the impact of open mics and how the original founders and organizers brought their visions to life.

Standing on the shoulders of yesterday’s poets

At the panel, the organizers discussed Kafe’ Kuumba, the oldest-running poetry event in the state.

Decades later, that same spirit of safety and inclusivity lives on with events like Vocab Indy and Vibe on Wednesday, along with TPOM.

The founder of Vibe on Wednesday, who goes by the letters AMH, said her original reason for starting the event was to have a space for her to sing. She later realized that the space she created was needed by others to share their talents, too.

“This space is bigger than just me,” said AMH. “It was for the community. For other artists to have a place to share their art and poetry.”

From left, Auboni Hart, Tony Styxx, Synergy, Mariah Ivey, Januarie York, and AMH pose for a picture Aug. 15, 2025, after That Peace open mic night at the AMP at 16 Tech in Indianapolis. Credit: Arrianna Gupton for Mirror Indy

‘A Labor of Love’

Ivey calls the evolution of That Peace Open Mic a “labor of love.” After returning from a national tour to promote her own poetry, Ivey felt a calling to build a space like the ones that embraced her as a young artist.

“Before That Peace, there weren’t many open mics open to all ages,” she said. “I wanted something for young adults, because I was once that young person being brought into the scene by an older poet.”

After a few calls, TPOM was born at 3326 Clifton St. in July 2015. And even after 10 years, she still finds inspiration through the poets and artists she meets at each show.

“It’s a writer’s dream to be inspired by another writer, enough to go home and push your pen,” Ivey said. “I know that this space is necessary to Indianapolis, and it’s a space that so many people love. I’m excited to see what else we create and bring to the city.”

Following the Aug. 15 discussion, the panelist chairs were removed and replaced with a mic stand. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for. You can’t go to That Peace Open Mic without experiencing the best part: the open mic itself.

The environment was just like any other That Peace show. It’s a huge family atmosphere. There were 10 performers. There was spoken word, comedy and even singing. TonyStyxx, York and Lehté also shared some poetry.

What made this event special was the coming together of all the open mic event founders. Indy’s open mic culture has grown and shifted in the past decade alone.

“It’s artists carving out space for other artists,” as Ivey said that night.

‘No rules, just strong suggestions’

TPOM isn’t your typical, quiet poetry night. Attending my first felt like stepping into a Black church on a Sunday morning: the kind with a soul-stirring choir, praise dancing, hugs from relatives and a whole lot of love.

When you walk into the 10 East Arts Hub on the third Thursday of the month, you can expect to hear amazing talents, shop with local vendors and connect with others. Whether you have something to share on the mic or not, this space is open to everyone.

“We wanted the space to feel less like a show and more like a jam session. Something that felt familiar, tangible and comfortable,” said Ivey, the co-founder.

Hart, who is the host, says it’s the people who make the open mic special. If you’ve ever been to a show, you’ve likely seen her greeting guests, running the door, setting up, tearing down or even blessing the mic with her own poetry.

“We provide the space, but it’s the people who show up that create that warm atmosphere,” said Hart. “I like to say we’re a little conscious and a little ratchet at the same time. It’s a balancing harmony,” she laughed.

If you plan to come to a show, TPOM offers a few “strong suggestions:”