365 Black Books Pet Wednesday

These books highlight children and their pets.

Book 1: Thinker My Puppy Poet and Me by Eloise Greenfield; illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi

Book 2: Sounder by William H. Armstrong A classic!

Book 3: Please, Puppy, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee; illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Book 4: Not My Cat by Stacey Patton; illustrated by Acamy Schleikorn

365 Black Books Thankful Tuesday

Today’s post features books about gratitude and community.

Book 1: Thanks A Million by Nikki Grimes. The award-winning poet wrote several poems on thankfulness and gratitude.

Book 2: Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. Omu shares her stew with everyone until there is none left for her. What happens next speaks to the power of gratitude and community.

Book 3: Thank You! It’s an Afro by Cassidy Bridges. A true story about self-love and Afro appreciation.

Black Boy Poems: Legacy And Activism In Black Literature — Sapelo Square

By Rashida James-Saadiya Our genetic inheritance is precious. It is not a badge of inferiority for us to be ashamed of, on the contrary, we carry the struggles of our ancestors with pride – Tyson Amir In a 1968 essay, “The Black Arts Movement,” writer Larry Neal proclaimed that Black Arts is the “aesthetic and […]

via Black Boy Poems: Legacy And Activism In Black Literature — Sapelo Square

April 20 Poet of the Day: Askia M. Toure

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Askia M. Toure, poet, activist, and a leading voice in The Black Arts Movement, is April 20 Poet of the Day.  Read more about this fascinating poet below.

Biography: http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2377/Tour-Askia.html

The History Makers: http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/askia-toure-41

Journal of Pan African Studies: http://www.jpanafrican.com/docs/vol5no7/5.67Askia.pdf

Videos: “A History of Civil Rights and the Black Arts Movement”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiTKQRfVu1Q; “Nubian Dawn: A Goddess Smiles”: https://vimeo.com/19921546; “Black Writers Museum”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyWFwuk1WUM; “Spit Fire Poetry Fest”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFwmsjiaHeU

April 19 Poet of the Day: Cheryl Clarke

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Cheryl Clarke, educator, poet, activist and more, is April 19 Poet of the Day.  Read about this fascinating feminist poet below.

Website: http://www.cherylclarkepoet.com/

Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/cheryl-clarke

Encylopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2873400023.html

Videos: BlackPoetsSpeakOut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQQ9jfpN-wA; “Queer Black Trouble (Kessler Lecture): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieLeQOjtkyw

April 17 Poet of the Day: Wanda Coleman

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Wanda Coleman, also known as the “L. A. Bluesman”, is April 17 Poet of the Day.  Read more about this fascinating poet below.

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/wanda-coleman

Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/wanda-coleman

Poet Society of America: https://www.poetrysociety.org/psa/poetry/crossroads/qa_american_poetry/wanda_coleman/

Afro Poets: http://www.afropoets.net/wandacoleman.html

Videos: “Where I Live”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPJTI8WWI0E; “Wanda, Why Aren’t You Dead?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALI-QlOU_ok; “My Car”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF8G5qYP2UY; “Luvina Reading”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izl8ktxEI6U Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eltV25FLh_Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wzNRf6mJs

April 16 Poet of the Day: Saul Williams

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21:  Saul Williams performs during the "Stars In The Alley" concert at Shubert Alley on May 21, 2014 in New York City.  (Photo by Walter McBride/Getty Images)

April 16 Poet of the Day is Saul Williams.  He is a multitalented artist who incorporates poetry, music, and other talents to create his music and spoken word.  Read more about this multitalented artist below.

Website: http://saulwilliams.com/

Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/saul-williams-dreadlocked-dervish-words

African American Literary Book Club: http://aalbc.com/authors/saul.htm

Videos: “List of Demands (Reparations)”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDMtaIcrfQ0; “Black Stacy”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRsgavuG4sg; “Amethyst Rock”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSR7H580e5U; “Explain My Heart”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_vUmvAXaWc

April 14 Poet of the Day: Terrance Hayes

Terrance Hayes is my April 14 Poet of the Day. Read more about this poet below:

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Website: http://terrancehayes.com/

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/terrance-hayes

Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/terrance-hayes

NPR: http://www.npr.org/2014/09/17/349272690/macarthur-fellow-terrance-hayes-poems-are-music-language-our-instrument

National Book Awards: http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2010_p_hayes.html#.VeKLE3vluEA