By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Local poet Khiry Malik Moore is issuing a challenge to his fellow scribes, asking that they put action behind their words and work to make their communities better.

Poet Khiry Moore, who co-founded the weekly Mahogany Poetry Series, is challenging other local poets to participate in a poetry slam to benefit a local nonprofit.

"The goal for the Mahogany Poetry Series, and for myself this year, is to have more of a purpose than just reading poetry," said Moore, a co-founder of the venue held weekly at Sacramento's Jamaica House Restaurant, 1704 Broadway [map].

"I have been looking at our community, and assessing the need for soldiers to man the front lines and back up the things that we speak about on the mic every week. So this year, I plan to participate in as many community events as I can ... also to do as much as I can to impact the communities of Sacramento," Moore said.

To other local poets he said, "I challenge you to meet me in my quest to make a difference for those who are less fortunate than we are."

One of the first opportunities to get involved will be a "Bridging The Gap" poetry slam benefiting a local nonprofit on Friday, Feb. 6. To begin at 7 p.m. at the Guild Theater in Oak Park, the event will raise money for the Sacramento Housing Alliance, whose goal is to promote quality, affordable housing and enhanced opportunities for lower income households and the homeless. This slam will also serve as an educational outreach tool on social issues and how to promote social action and social justice.

"With this is in mind, all of the poets are asked to speak about social issues in their poetry," Moore said.

There will be a cash prize as an incentive to participate, but Moore is hoping it's the sense of community, that brings poets and poetry fans out. The SHA fundraiser is a "friendly competition," with the people served by the SHA as the true winners.

"The ultimate goal of this project is to bridge the gap between social workers responsibility for social justice and the larger community through a unique and creative outlet. Another goal for this project is to promote education and awareness on the needs of impoverished communities," Moore said.

The event would also be a great practice opportunity for locals trying to make the 2004 Sacramento slam team, which will compete on the state and national levels. Poets must signup in advance.

The Guild Theater is located at 2828 35th Ave [map]. For more information or to sign up, contact Moore at (916) 455- 8410 or e-mail malikspeaks@aol.com.