When Jupiter Hammon, an African-American poet, writer, and preacher, published his first poem many years ago, he paved the way for many great authors and poets alike to step out and showcase their art.
In his honor, every October 17, we celebrate black heritage and history through poetry. If you’re passionate about literature, poetry, or writing, delve into these stories that explore themes of love, race, culture, and family — while giving us a glimpse into the poetic minds that followed in Hammon’s footsteps.
Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans
Jasmine Mans, a renowned spoken word poet, presents a compelling collection that explores race, feminism, and queer identity. Her poetry serves as a call to self-discovery, resonating with young, queer Black women navigating the complexities of adulthood. It’s a heartfelt tribute and a valuable companion for those seeking truth, belonging, and healing.
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Saltwater Demands a Psalm by Kweku Abimbola
In Ghana’s Akan tradition, children are named on their eighth day of life based on their birthday. This collection explores this practice, celebrating self-care rituals and envisioning new lives for those lost to police violence through naming. Abimbola creates a cosmology rooted in Black life rhythms and Adinkra symbols, remixing African language and spirituality. His poetry captures the joy and sorrow of remembrance and connection.
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I am The Rage by Martina McGowan
Shortly after the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, this poetry collection was born. Exploring racial injustice from the unfiltered vantage point of a Black woman today. A retired MD, mother, grandmother, and poet, McGowan creates moments for readers to think, reflect, and face the harsh realities of what Black Americans experience.
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Above Ground by Clint Smith
Clint Smith’s collection of poems explores fatherhood’s emotional landscape and how it transforms one’s view of the world. His poetry delves into personal and historical influences, celebrates the joy of seeing the world anew through childlike eyes, and addresses the challenges of parenting in a turbulent society.
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So to Speak by Terrance Hayes
Terrance Hayes’ collection of poems delves into self-perception. He blends fables, American sonnets, and personal reflections with a unique, poetic touch. The poems explore the imagination of a Black author, tackling themes like fatherhood, history, and longing with remarkable honesty and humanity.
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Why Fathers Cry At Night By Kwame Alexander
From being awkward newlyweds in Chicago in a humid summer who had strange ways of showing affection, Kwame Alexander shares snapshots of stories as a father and a man learning to love. At 22 years old, he had to navigate the challenges of marriage and career while dealing with the loss of his mother. He shares how he found solace in trying to master her world-class fried chicken recipe and strived to understand his daughters better.
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I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times by Taylor Byas
Drawing inspiration from The Wiz, Taylor Byas explores a Black woman’s journey from Chicago’s South Side to adulthood. It loosely takes readers through various places, challenging the speaker’s identity and confronting themes of womanhood, sexuality, body visibility, family alcoholism, and imposed narratives. This collection reimagines Chicago as more than just a city but a teacher and a unique perspective on the world, using various poetic forms to reshape the concept of home.
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The Tradition by Jericho Brown
Jericho Brown examines the normalization of evil in both historical and personal contexts. His poetry grapples with profound questions about safety, national identity, and freedom while celebrating resilience. Themes of fatherhood, legacy, identity, and trauma shine through Brown’s mastery, particularly in his unique duplex form. This collection is an essential exploration of contradictions in our world.
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Magical Negro by Morgan Parker
This collection of American poems documents the everyday Black experiences, from contemporary heroes to ancestral grief and cultural elements. Parker blends elegy and humor, addressing themes like isolation, displacement, and stereotypes while focusing on Black womanhood. Her work creates the platform for witnessing, expressing grievances, highlighting patterns, and capturing timeless reflections on Black life.
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You Are Only Just Beginning: Lessons for the Journey Ahead by Morgan Harper Nichols
Morgan Harper Nichols, a popular Instagram poet, reimagines the heroine’s journey, offering valuable lessons from nature to empower and equip you at every step. She ventures from the first call to adventure, then through the trials, it brings, all the way back to the comfort of home.
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