Tag Archives: Poetry

Video | First Lady Michelle Obama Honors 2015 Class of National Student Poets Program

Posted on October 8, 2015 by rikyrah

UPDATED with full video The First Lady honors the 2015 class of the National Student Poets Program (NSPP), the nation’s highest honor for youth poets. The 2015 National Student Poets are 16-year-old Chasity Hale of Miami; 16-year-old De’John Hardges of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Culture, Current Events, Education, Empowerment, First Lady Michelle Obama, FLOTUS, Michelle Obama | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls” 40th Anniversary Exhibition

Posted on September 23, 2014 by rikyrah

I don’t believe any black girl can graduate to womanhood without knowing about, seeing, and understanding Ms. Ntozake Shange’s Choreopoem “For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf.” Ntozake Sahnge- Poet, author, and playwright Paulette Williams … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Black History, Celebrations, Dance, Employment News, Empowerment, Inspiration, Tribute | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Saturday Open Thread | Black Poets Week: Maya Angelou

Posted on March 15, 2014 by rikyrah

We end this week with Maya Angelou. Global Renaissance Woman Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Thread, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Friday Open Thread | Black Poets Week: Nikki Giovanni

Posted on March 14, 2014 by rikyrah

Today we will discuss Nikki Giovanni. Nikki Giovanni On June 7, 1943, Yolanda Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1960, she entered Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she worked with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Thread, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments

Thursday Open Thread | Black Poets Week: Gwendolyn Brooks

Posted on March 13, 2014 by rikyrah

The wordsmith for today is Gwendolyn Brooks. Gwendolyn Brooks, 1917–2000 Gwendolyn Brooks was a highly regarded, much-honored poet, with the distinction of being the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize. She also was poetry consultant to the Library … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Thread, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 33 Comments

Wednesday Open Thread | Black Poets Week: Countee Cullen

Posted on March 12, 2014 by rikyrah

Today’s poet is Countee Cullen. Countee Cullen Born in 1903 in New York City, Countee Cullen was raised in a Methodist parsonage. He attended De Witt Clinton High School in New York and began writing poetry at the age of … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Thread, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

Tuesday Open Thread | Black Poets Week: Langston Hughes

Posted on March 11, 2014 by rikyrah

Today’s poet is Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes James Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was a young child, and his father moved to Mexico. He was raised by his grandmother until … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Thread, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments

Monday Open Thread | Black Poets Week: Phillis Wheatley

Posted on March 10, 2014 by rikyrah

Phillis Wheatley, 1753–1784 Although she was an African slave, Phillis Wheatley was one of the best-known poets in prenineteenth-century America. Pampered in the household of prominent Boston commercialist John Wheatley, lionized in New England and England, with presses in both … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Thread, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

Black History | Rita Dove

Posted on February 5, 2014 by SouthernGirl2

Rita Frances Dove (born August 28, 1952) is an American poet and author. From 1993–1995 she served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. She was the first African American to be appointed since the position … Continue reading →

Posted in Black History, History, Honor, Open Thread, Tribute | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Serendipity SOUL | Friday Open Thread

Posted on April 22, 2011 by rikyrah

We hope you’re enjoying the poetry and jazz this week.  Happy Friday, Everyone! Wikipedia: Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni (born June 7, 1943) is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Her primary focus is on the individual and the power … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Current Events, Love, Media, Politics | Tagged , | 41 Comments