BLK LIT

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, our panel dives deep into the legacy of Phillis Wheatley—not just as a poet but as a cultural ancestor whose words still echo today. Together, they explore how her work continues to shape Black literature while confronting the historical erasure of Black women writers and the complex ways their stories have been told—or left untold.

Listeners are invited into a powerful dialogue about the tension between visibility and silence, shame and pride, and memory and forgetting. Through personal reflections and academic insights, the speakers share how their own relationships with Wheatley have evolved and what it means to teach her work in classrooms shaped by censorship, skepticism, and cultural loss.

But this isn’t just a story of struggle. It’s also about joy—reimagining historical narratives centered on Black creativity, agency, and pleasure. The conversation honors Wheatley’s poetic brilliance while calling for a future where Black literature is not only preserved but lived, felt, and passed on with purpose.

Whether you're an educator, a reader, or someone discovering Wheatley for the first time, this episode offers a rich and resonant reminder: Storytelling is resistance, remembrance, and restoration.

CREDITS

Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama

Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa.

Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh

READ 

Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum

Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith

TEAM BLK LIT

Jacquees Thomas - HOST & PRODUCER: @_ThatsPeace 

Jabari Davis - PRODUCER: @JabariADavis

Jason Torres - PRODUCER: @JNTNY

Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet. It explores her impact on Black literature, the complexities of her poetry, and the misconceptions surrounding Black literacy and slavery. The discussion highlights Wheatley's humanity, creativity, and the joy found in her relationships and writings, emphasizing that Black expression has always existed despite societal constraints. The episode concludes with a reflection on Wheatley's exceptionalism and the importance of joy in her life and work.

CREDITS

Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa.

Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama

Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh

Cornelius Eady - Poet, Playwright, Songwriter, Co-Founder of Cave Canem, and the endowed chair at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Brigitte Fielder - Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the College of Letters and Science

READ 

Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum

Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Phillis Wheatley
06:00 The Complexity of Wheatley's Poetry
10:55 Wheatley's Humanity and Early Life
17:35 Misconceptions About Black Literacy
23:46 Black Joy and Wheatley's Writings
35:59 Wheatley's Exceptionalism and Tenacity

TEAM BLK LIT

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.