KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Poets, Children's literature, poetry

Letter to Kwame Alexander

Dear Kwame Alexander, Thank you for making us openly weep last year at the ILA conference when you said, “The mind of an adult begins with the imagination of a child,” and “all kids are the good kids” When we heard you say those words and the room burst into thunderous applause, we knew […]

via An Open Thank You Letter to Kwame Alexander — Nerdy Book Club

KRLemmons African American Poetry, African American Poets

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

KRLemmons African American Poetry, African American Poets

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

KRLemmons African American Poetry, African American Poets

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_I; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wzNRf6mJs

KRLemmons African American Poetry, African American Poets

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

KRLemmons African American Poetry, African American Poets

April 13 Poet of the Day: Anne Spencer

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My belated poet of the day posts are slowly but surely coming! April 13 Poet of the Day is Anne Spencer, a Harlem Renaissance poet.  More information about her is listed below:

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/anne-spencer

Modern American Poetry: http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/spencer/spencer.htm

Afro Poets.Net: http://www.afropoets.net/annespencer.html

Anne Spencer House and Garden Museum: http://www.annespencermuseum.com/poetry.php

Poets.Org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/anne-spencer

KRLemmons African American Poets, Poetry Month

April 9 Poet of the Day: Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith is April 9 Poet of the Day.  Read more about this award winning poet below.

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Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/tracy-k-smith, http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/line-between-two-worlds-tracy-k-smith-and-elizabeth-alexander-conversation

NPR: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/27/145985904/newspoet-tracy-k-smith-writes-the-day-in-verse

Pulitzer: http://www.pulitzer.org/biography/2012-Poetry

PBS: http://video.pbs.org/video/1929273566/

Youtube video: “Imagining the Universe” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW7WIJaSfl4, PEN World Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEI9vWOGxs, “The Good Life” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUn4DWu7b4U