GumboLife

Kelly Clayton talks about her new book Mother of Chaos: Queen of the Nines, family and Louisiana. Kelly Clayton is a writer, poet, playwright, and workshop facilitator. She is a Louisiana Creole with roots 15 generations deep. She returned home after twenty years in New York City spent teaching herself to write. Though she dropped out of high school for creative reasons (four sons), she kept both pantry and bookshelves full by working as a waitress, line cook, publisher's assistant, exotic dancer, and event producer. She is a VONA/Voices, as well as a Hedgebrook Alumnae. She was a recipient of the Hedgebrook Women Authoring Change Award.

Kelly’s poetry has been published by, among others: Future Cycle Press, Delacorte Press, China Grove Press, The Dead Mule Society of Southern Literature, and Random House.

She was awarded an Artist's Residency with the Acadiana Center for the Arts for the production of her original play, "Dancing With Aurora Borealis.”

Kelly develops and teaches bespoke writing workshops in Louisiana schools, both public and private, for the Lafayette Juvenile Detention Center, and to groups of formerly incarcerated adults. She currently lives in Lafayette with her husband, youngest of four sons and their Great Pyrenees, Mabelline.

To connect with Kelly:
 www.kellykclayton.com

Information about ordering signed copies: [email protected]
Official Contact: [email protected]

Kelly is available for readings via Zoom, as well as in person. Send inquiries to:
[email protected]

For more information visit: That Painted Horse Press

This week I have as my guest Dr. Andrew Jolivette, creator of beautiful things, my best friend and wedding officiant.  Andrew, former professor and department chair of American Indian Studies at San Francisco State University (2003-2019) is an accomplished internationally recognized researcher, educator, writer/poet, speaker, socio-cultural critic, and an aspiring chef. He has authored eight books and is currently the Professor, Chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies at University of California San Diego.

Andrew and I have known each other for over twenty years and discussed how at the time we met we were always the youngest in the room. There was not a lot of representation of our generation at Creole events and how social media impacted that so much. We went from being a small group of young people that were dedicated to preserving Creole culture to a much larger group of people that were finding their familial roots and cultural ties. 

 We talked ancestry and cultural pride and how the “What are you” question still pervades and why that matters. Andrew also talks about his definition of Creole and how definitions are different for different people. 

 I am honored to have had my best friend and my brother as my first guest. Andrew is much more than a friend, he’s family and has been there for us through our toughest times. He is giving to his community and to his culture and has done a tremendous amount of work in preserving and promoting the Creole culture.

To find out more about Andrew:

 Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Andrew Jolivette

Instagram: @creoleandres

Speakoutnow.org – Andrew Jolivette

 You can also find his literary work on Amazon by searching his name. The most relevant title to this conversation would be Louisiana Creoles: Cultural Recovery and Mixed-Race Native American Identity.

The introduction to GumboLife the podcast and your chance to explore your roux. Learn about your foundation, Creole culture and more.