For the season finale of Rough Draft, we’re welcoming poet Robin Coste Lewis.

Robin’s blazing intellect and pitch-perfect way with words are no shocker. Her debut poetry collection Voyage of the Sable Venus won the National Book Award in poetry in 2015, the first time a debut collection by an African-American had won the prize (and the first time a debut had won since 1974). She brings it all in this conversation that touches on growing up in Compton and New Orleans, removing the “I” from her writing, and pursuing beauty. Featuring guest poetry performances from Marquesha Babers and Monique Mitchell!

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Follow Robin Coste Lewis @robincostelewis

Follow Marquesha Babers @LADI3LYRIX

Follow Monique Mitchell @mnqmtchll

Rough Draft is a Topic Original Series.

Hosted by Reza Aslan

Executive Produced by Reza Aslan, David Andreone, Alfredo de Villa, and Safa Samieyazde’-Yazd. Executive Producers for Topic, Ryan Chanatry, Anna Holmes, and Gena Konstantinakos. Production aid from Russell Sperberg.

Music and Theme by Jacob Snider. Sound by Sean Oakley. Editing and mixing by Will Stanton, with additional editing by Blake V.

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For transcripts and full credits, head to https://www.topic.com/rough-draft-podcast

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