Celebrate Black voices in poetry during Black Poetry Day Sunday, Oct. 17, the birthday of Jupiter Hammon, who was the first African American to have poetry published in the United States. Lift the voices of Black poets by sharing the works of your favorite poet and creating poetry of your own.
Celebrating Black Voices in Our Community
Join the Library Sunday, Oct. 17, at Comfort Station in Walnut Hills for an evening of poetry and spoken word performances by local Black artists. The event is outdoors, weather permitting, and free pizza is available, while supplies last, courtesy of Fireside Pizza. Be sure to visit the Library table to get some CHPL swag, sign up for a library card, and create blackout poetry.
Find more details for the upcoming Black Poetry Slam.
Performance Poetry and the Power of Movement
Dive into the language arts on the latest episode of “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, where Writer-in-Residence Dani McClain interviews poet, teacher, and artist Murray. Listen as Murray shares her experiences with performance poetry group Bitch’s Brew and its founder, Kathy Y. Wilson, a local journalist, author, and the Library's inaugural Writer-in-Residence.
Murray also shares her favorite Black poets, including Everett Hoagland, winner of the Gwendolyn Brooks Award as well as two Massachusetts Council Fellowships for Poetry. Connect with the world of poetry beyond “Dead White Poets” as Dani and Murray talk about poetry’s power to reach moments of honesty and authenticity. View upcoming Writer-in-Residence events and follow Dani on Twitter and Instagram.
Who are your favorite Black poets and how do you plan to celebrate Black Poetry Day? Comment below.
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