On the show this week is Dr. Tony Keith Jr.: a Black American gay poet, spoken word artist, and hip-hop educational leader from Washington, DC.

He is author of the YA memoir in verse How the Boogeyman Became a Poet. Tony’s writings have appeared in the International Journal of Critical Media Literacy, the Journal of Black Masculinity, and many others. A multiyear Fellow of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities with a PhD in education from George Mason University, Tony is CEO of Ed Emcee Academy and lives with his husband, Harry Christian III, in his DC hometown.

Visit him at www.tonykeithjr.com

In this conversation, Dr. Tony Keith Jr. discusses his poetry collection 'Knucklehead' and the significance of spoken word poetry. He explores the relationship between spoken and written poetry, emphasizing the importance of audience engagement and personal connection. The discussion explores themes of masculinity, self-preservation through writing, and the role of creativity in processing emotions. Dr. Keith shares insights on how consumption of joyful content influences his artistic practice and the power of poetry to awaken wonder and understanding in readers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Knucklehead and Spoken Word Poetry

03:03 The Relationship Between Spoken and Written Poetry

05:59 Audience Engagement and Personal Connection

08:55 Exploring Masculinity Through Poetry

11:58 Poetry as a Form of Self-Preservation

14:45 Creativity as a Response to Emotion

18:13 Consumption and Production in Artistic Practice

20:51 Awakening Wonder Through Poetry