Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I started writing seriously in 2013 at the encouragement of a very close friend of mine, Damone Johnson. I wrote a bit before that, but with no real effort or focus towards the craft. Since I started writing, I have been incredibly fascinated with the art of storytelling. Yes, I am indeed a poet and not a novelist, but I believe that as a poet, the stories i have to tell do not have to be limited to the forms and shapes that a short story or a novel require.
I continue to write (and by extension, seek to encourage other writers) because I believe that each one of us on earth has a unique story to tell, with unique perspectives. The only way we can know these different perspectives, is to actively share those stories and experiences.
Describe your writing process? Is there anything unique about it?
As a native New Yorker, I suffer from ‘I take the subway everywhere’ syndrome. Its symptoms include not having a driver’s license with no desire to receive one.
With that being said, a lot of my writing happens during my commute. If the inspiration hits, I may write two or three short poems, or one long poem depending on the day. I am constantly writing, and although every poem may not be the pinnacle of my abilities, I still seek to write down my experiences day in and day out.
Often, I will write a poem and leave it for a few weeks before coming back to edit it. Whatever I write, I let it all hit the page when the idea strikes, and let time itself help me distil those thoughts into something more concentrated and beautiful.
Have you published any books or do you have a desire to do so?
‘je suis noir [i am black]’ began taking shape soon after a terror attack in Paris, France on the Charlie Hebdo magazine headquarters. At the time, I was attending conservatory, and after the attacks, most of my friends had words of encouragement, solidarity and hope for the people of France, nearly half a world away. I will never contend that those responses weren’t needed. A tragedy is a tragedy, and I do not seek to diminish the horror that took place. However, I didn’t see that same reaction when black men and women unjustly died in the streets of America at the hands of police. THis book rose as an outcry of that sentiment. It is an examination of what it means to be a Christian Black male living in America.
‘The Quiet Way’ (October 22) was an ongoing work that I had been labouring over for over a year, though I didn’t know it. What I mean by that is I have spent a good portion of the last two years trying to bring light to two things. The first was blackness and black value (je suis noir). The second, within this collection, was shedding light on the topic of mental health, depression, and suicide. Because that is such a deep intrinsic part of my story, I endeavoured to write poems that spoke to those times in my life when I was darkest, while also looking at where I am now and the aftermath of my recovery. The Quiet Way is meant to represent my journey from Innocence, Depression and Suicide, Recover, and ultimately, redemption.
Do you have any favorite poets or authors?
Many of my favourites are modern poets. Sarah Kay, Joshua Bennett, Sierra DeMulder, Danez Smith, Major Jackson, Rupi Kaur, Nikki Giovanni, and Audre Lorde are all favourites. I am also partial to Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, and Claude McKay.
An author whose work I’m looking the most forward to seeing is Chicago poet, Matthew Strange.
I also love the Bible in many of its translations.
Do you have a favorite book of poetry or poems?
My favourite books are Today Means Amen (Sierra DeMulder), Love Poems (Nikki Giovanni), No Matter the Wreckage, milk and honey (Rupi Kaur), and The Sobbing School (Joshua Bennett), to name a few.
Besides poetry, my favourite genres are crime drama and mystery. A favourite series of mine is the Jack Daniels series by J.A. Konrath, another successful self-published writer.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I am reading The Sobbing School (Joshua Bennett), Notes of a Native Son (James Baldwin), and Hoops (Major Jackson).
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
When I am not writing, I am a voice teacher and opera singer. I have sung in various venues throughout New York and New Jersey.
I also perform spoken word. I am a part of True Voices, a Christian poetry collective based in New York.
Are you working on a current project?I’m now looking at doing a short collection of poems on the theme of love called ‘Luh Pomes’.
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