Today, February 9, Alice Walker celebrates her 82nd birthday! Known for The Color Purple, Alice Walker has written essays, novels, and poetry. A few are show below. To read more about her, click here.
365 Black Books Langston Hughes Wednesday
Langston Hughes, poet, playwright, and short story writer, was born February 1. More about Langston Hughes can be found here. Some of his notable books:
365 Black Books Dudley Randall Wednesday
Born January 14, Dudley Randall was a poet and founder of Broadside Press, which published many works of poetry. He was also Detroit’s first Poet Laureate
His book: The Black Poets
Another book: Roses and Revolutions
A book about him: Wrestling With the Muse
365 Black Books Cornelius Eady Sunday
Cornelius Eady, born January 7, is a poet and co-founder of Cave Canem, a network for African American poets.
Three of his works: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/230758/cornelius-eady
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.
365 Black Books Magic Monday
Three books about our magic!
Book 1: The Breakbeat Poets, Vol. 2 Black Girl Magic
Book 2: Black Boy Magic by Tex Stanly
Book 3: Black Magic by Langston Hughes
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
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
