In honor of National Poetry Month, the Carnegie Arts Center presents “Poetry Overturned: Ladies of the Knight.” Sacramento poets Carol Lynn Stevenson Grellas, Jeanette Sem and Angela James present a poetry experience — three poets, three voices, three unique styles intertwined. 

The presentation is at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Carnegie Arts Center and has free admission.

Stevenson Grellas is the author of six full-length collections of poetry and numerous chapbooks. Her 2012 chapbook, “Before I Go to Sleep,” won the Red Ochre Chapbook contest.  In 2018, she won second place in the Jack Keourac Poetry competition.  Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including “The Yale Journal for Humanities in Medicine, Poets and Artists, Literature and the Arts, and War.” Stevenson is the editor of the “Orchards Poetry Journal” and a member of Saratoga Authors Hall of Fame. In addition, she is a board member of the Sacramento Poetry Center. According to family lore, she is a descendant of Robert Louis Stevenson. 

Sem is a spoken word poet and social activist who started writing three years ago and has never looked back.  Since then, she has taken her fiery brand of spoken word to the California Democratic Convention, competed with the Sac Unified Slam team in Chicago and won several slam contests. Her poetry can be heard on the background tracks of Truth Ali’s album, “Resurrection: Season 1.” Sem’s poems highlight awareness of social justice issues, locally and nationally.

James is a poet and storyteller steeped in the oral tradition of her family in the Caribbean. Her eclectic mix of poetry, stories, music and motion appeals to a wide range of audiences. James’ work has been published in the literary magazine, “Sussuruss” and in three collections — “Personally, Random Pieces,” and “Words.”  The CD “Echo in the Bone” features several of her poetry pieces as well her singing.  James is a certified multi-disciplined teaching artist and has received grants to promote poetry and storytelling in schools. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center.