Jacquees and her producers discuss the creative process behind the podcast, share personal small wins, and delve into the poetry of Langston Hughes that resonated with them the most. They explore the therapeutic role of poetry, the importance of mental health in the Black community, and how cultural expressions serve as coping mechanisms. The conversation highlights themes of loneliness, legacy, and the impact of art, while also reflecting on the interviews with experts from the chapters focused on Langston Hughes in previous episodes.

Previous Episodes:

Langston Hughes - We, Too: The Life, Legacy and Longevity of A Poet

Langston Hughes - The People's Poet: The Power of Oral Traditions and The Blues

Langston Hughes - Fulterius King, The Table and The Inspiration

Langston Hughes - How Our Relationships Shape Us and Our Art

Connect With The Team 

Jason Torres: @JNTNY

Jabari Davis @JabariADavis

Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace 

Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com

Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com

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In this episode of BLK LIT, Jacquees shares her journey of creating a community poetry event called Poetry in the Park, reflecting on the generational influence of poetry and the significance of art in the Black community. We delve into the life of Langston Hughes, exploring his relationships with women and the cultural dynamics of the 1920s, particularly in Paris and Harlem. 

Learn More: The Black Archives of Mid-America 

Read: Langston Hughes in the Classroom: "Do Nothin' till You Hear from Me" 

My Dear Boy: Carrie Hughes Letters to Langston Hughes, 1926-1938

Not So Simple: The "Simple" Stories by Langston Hughes

Listen: Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris

Connect with the Host: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Join The Collective Writing Community BLKWritersRoom.com

A Black Effect Original Series

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Today, we highlight Fulterius King, a Poet and Licensed Mental Health Therapist. Fulterius shares the significance of Langston Hughes in reflecting on societal issues through poetry, and shares a powerful poem from his book, 'Poems for Black Kings,' highlighting the theme of brotherhood among Black men.

BLK LIT Highlighted Artist: @FulteriusKing

Learn More and Pre-Order the Book: FulteriusKing.com

Connect with the Host: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Join The Collective Writing Community BLKWritersRoom.com

A Black Effect Original Series

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Today, we delve deeper into Langston Hughes's life and work, exploring the cultural and historical contexts that shaped his voice. The conversation highlights the significance of oral traditions, the influence of blues on Hughes' poetry, and the importance of preserving Black culture through the work of scholars like Dr. William Ferris and Dr. Akiba Sullivan Harper. We also gain insight into Hughes' humor and social commentary through his Simple series and his global perspective as a writer. Overall, it emphasizes Hughes' enduring legacy and relevance in contemporary literature.

Learn More: The Black Archives of Mid-America 

Read: Not So Simple: The "Simple" Stories by Langston Hughes

Listen: Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris

Connect with the Host: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Join The Collective Writing Community BLKWritersRoom.com

A Black Effect Original Series

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The Black Effect Presents... BLK LIT!

This conversation delves into the profound impact of Octavia Butler's work, particularly her exploration of identity, legacy, and the human condition. It highlights the importance of imagination in shaping our realities and the necessity for confronting historical trauma through storytelling. Brandon Jacob Jenkins joins us to discuss the adaptation of Butler's 'Kindred' and the complexities of relationships within her narratives, the challenges in writing and adapting in Hollywood, and our need to expand past our fixed perceptions in society.

Series Links:

Interview with Brand Jacob Jenkins 

Read: The Book of Martha  Kindred

Watch: Kindred the Series on Hulu (AGAIN)

Connect: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Join the collective writing community BLKWritersRoom.com

Learn More: OctaviaButler.com

A Black Effect Original Series

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The Black Effect Presents... BLK LIT!

This episode of BLK LIT delves into the life and legacy of Langston Hughes, a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Dr Carmaletta Williams - CEO, of Black Archives of Mid-Amercia joins the conversation to explore Langston's early life, struggles, and the hustle that defined his journey as a poet. It highlights the cultural impact of his work, the intersection of music and poetry, and the themes of faith and skepticism in his writing. The episode concludes with a tribute to Nikki Giovanni, emphasizing the enduring influence of Hughes' art on future generations.

Learn More: The Black Archives of Mid-America 

Read: Langston Hughes in the Classroom: "Do Nothin' till You Hear from Me" 

My Dear Boy: Carrie Hughes Letters to Langston Hughes, 1926-1938

Connect with the Host: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Join The Collective Writing Community BLKWritersRoom.com

A Black Effect Original Series

 

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In this episode of BLK LIT, Jacquees and Anita Kopacz delve into the world of Black literature, focusing on influential writers like Octavia Butler and Langston Hughes. They discuss the themes of Anita's book 'Shallow Waters', exploring its historical context, emotional depth, and the healing journey it offers readers. The conversation touches on the significance of dreams in the creative process, the cultural importance of Black mermaid stories, and the empowerment of Black women through storytelling. Anita shares her journey into writing, the challenges of overcoming insecurities, and the process behind her upcoming book 'The Wind on Her Tongue'. In this engaging conversation, Anita shares her methods for staying connected to her creative flow, including creating a sacred writing space and the unique practice of the shake dance to release energy. They delve into Anita's deep connection with the Orishas, particularly Yemaya and Oya, and her profound experiences with ayahuasca in Peru. The episode ends with Anita reading an excerpt from her new book, "The Wind On Her Tongue".

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Black Literature and Legacy
02:08 The Power of Afrofuturism
05:09 Writing as a Spiritual Practice
10:02 Yemaya and the Call to Create
15:13 Healing Through Storytelling
19:52 The Connection to Orishas
25:01 The Journey of Writing 'The Wind on Her Tongue'

The Wind On Her Tongue is NOW Available for Pre-Order and Available Everywhere books are sold, next year on January 21st.

Read: Shallow Waters by Anita Kopacz

Learn More: Anita Kopacz

Connect with the Host: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Join The Collective Writing Community BLKWritersRoom.com

A Black Effect Original Series

 

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Today we delve into the profound impact of Octavia Butler's work on Black literature and the unique perspectives it offers.

The conversation explores various interpretations of Butler's narratives, critiques of her approach, and the historical context of Afrofuturism. It highlights the educational value of her work and its prophetic nature, emphasizing the themes of community, change, and resilience as embodied by the character Lauren Olamina in her Parable series.

The episode concludes with the dissect of a conversation between Olamina and her stepmother., "I'd rather have the stars,” I say. “The stars are free.” She shrugs. “I'd rather have the city lights back myself, the sooner the better, but the stars are free." 

Interviews - In order of introduction:

Joshunda Sanders 

Dr. Reynaldo Anderson -  Black Speculative Arts Movement

Sheila Liming 

Bruce Duncan - Terasem Movement Foundation 

 

Series Links:

Read: Parable of the Sower, Kindred

Connect: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

BLKWritersRoom.com

Learn More: OctaviaButler.com

 

A Black Effect Original Series

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Who is Octavia Butler? What molded her creativity?

In today's episode we continue to explore the life and legacy of Octavia Butler, an oracle of science fiction, whose visions of the future resonate more deeply today than ever. We examine the backdrop of her upbringing, the environment around her and the lasting impressions on her life that defined her as a writer. Nisi Shawl (Writer / Friend) also joins in to discuss the work, and her relationship with the late Octavia Butler. 

Read: Parable of the Sower, The Last Unicorn

Connect: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

BLKWritersRoom.com

Learn More: NisiShawl.com

OctaviaButler.com

 

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Welcome to the home of Black literature. BLK Lit is a bi-weekly series that delves into the lives and works of literary visionaries in ways you’ve never seen before. Hosted by Jacquees R. Thomas, this podcast is a meditation on the words that move us and the authors who bring those stories to life. In a world of book bans and "fake news," we are honoring the power of writing and reading.

With four episodes dedicated to each luminary—beginning with Octavia Butler—this podcast dives deep to answer how each writer's personal experiences shaped their professional legacies. How did they bend traditional spaces to suit their more expansive visions? And how are we encouraged to do the same with what we’ve learned from them?

Connect:

Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace

Learn More:  BLKWritersRoom.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.