Poetic Pages: When Black Poets Speak (In-Person
This evening celebrates the resilience, depth, and storytelling power of Black poets, who through their words, preserve and share the diversity of Black experiences, capturing histories and narratives often left untold.
Featuring six accomplished poets, this event highlights the beauty and importance of amplifying Black voices in literature and poetry. Together, these poets exemplify the power of storytelling and the richness of Black voices in the arts.
James C. Ellerbe is a seasoned poet and performer from New Jersey, known for his appearances on BET’s Buy The Book and at the iconic Showtime at the Apollo. He has performed internationally at venues like Montreal’s Kola Note and across esteemed institutions such as Rutgers University and Sarah Lawrence College. A finalist for the 2017 Indie Author Legacy Award for Poet of the Year, James has authored the poetry book Beyond the Event Horizon (2015) and the spoken word album Pulsar (2018). His work also appears in On the Verge: Poets of the Palisades III (2020).
Ameerah Shabazz-Bilal, a Newark-based poet, artist, and educator, has earned accolades like EvoluCulture’s Women in Poetry Award and the Maria Mazziotti Gillan Literary Service Award. Her work has been featured at prestigious festivals, including the Dodge Poetry Festival and Lagos International Poetry Festival. Ameerah is the founder of "When Women Speak" and "When People Speak", creating platforms for diverse voices. She is the author of "Breathing Through Concrete" and has performed internationally in Cuba. A dedicated advocate for the arts, Ameerah continues to elevate cultural narratives through her work.
Marc W. Polite is a Harlem-born poet, essayist, and award-winning writer who now resides in Jersey City. The author of five books, including "Poetic Ruminations of Mr. Born Nice" and "Quiet With A Loud Mind", Marc explores social issues, literature, and technology in his work. His commentary has appeared in outlets like "The Amsterdam News". As a featured poet at Mocha Mic with Millie and a collaborator with the Jersey City Public Library, Marc is committed to inspiring the next generation of poets.
Poet & scholar Evie Shockley thinks, creates, and writes with her eye on a Black feminist horizon. Her books of poetry include suddenly we (NAACP Image Award; National Book Award Finalist), semiautomatic (Hurston/Wright Legacy Award; Pulitzer Prize finalist), and the new black (Hurston/Wright Legacy Award). Among the honors for her body of work are the Academy Fellowship for Distinguished Poetic Achievement, the Shelley Memorial Award, the Lannan Literary Award for Poetry, the Holmes National Poetry Prize, and the Stephen Henderson Award. Her joys include participating in poetry communities such as Cave Canem and collaborating with artists working in various media. Shockley is the Zora Neale Hurston Distinguished Professor of English at Rutgers University.
Khali Raymond, professionally known as Savage Writer, is a multi-talented artist from Newark, NJ who has spent over ten years writing, performing, and enlightening the world with his gifts. Graduating from Berkeley College in 2019 and Kean University in 2022, Savage has continued to pursue his passion of telling his story and is looking to one day have the whole world hear his tale of glory. He began his career in 2014 when he published "The Ballad of Sidney Hill," which is about a young man relocating to an unfamiliar place that isn't so forgiving and will take him on a journey of introspection and maturity. Khali's inspirations come from various mediums such as books, film, video games, anime, and music. He considers Tupac Shakur to be one of his most significant influences. Khali currently has over sixty titles out as he published his latest book "Ashes 2 Ashes, Dust 2 Dust" which is a collection of poems about overcoming heartbreak, addiction, self-doubt, and sabotage. His plans are to venture more into filmmaking along with directing and producing his own content so he can translate his words into captivating yet informative visuals to inspire people worldwide.
Juanita Graves is the author of three self-published books, Desire My Dream Poetry, My Mama Said, and Woosah Bitter Sweet Blessings which are available online at Lulu, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. She has written pieces that have been featured in four different anthologies.
In 2007, she established her business as a Sole Proprietor under the name Desire My Dream Productions. As of January 2023, the company has transitioned to Desire My Dream Publications, a Black woman-owned LLC. Additionally, a DBA called Pour n’ Life has been created, which focuses on an Organic Herbal Blend Tea business.
Desire My Dream Publications is committed to supporting community events and has actively participated in various initiatives throughout Hudson County and New York over the years. The organization has engaged in speaking events covering topics such as domestic violence and inspirational speaking, while also offering a unique twist on its services.
Millicent Ansah, fondly known as Millie, is an educator, poet, and community organizer who has called Jersey City home for over a decade. As a first-generation Ghanaian American, Millie believes in the transformative power of kindness and inclusivity, dedicating herself to building spaces where everyone feels welcomed and connected.
In 2023, she launched *Mocha Mic with Millie*, a monthly open mic event that serves as a creative haven led by and for Black women. Millie calls her attendees her “tribe of scribes and good vibes,” creating a space for unity, expression, and support. *Mocha Mic* is more than an event—it’s a community.
Millie is excited lead poetry and creative workshops for children at the Jersey City Library and to collaborate with local businesses and partners to strengthen community ties and foster connections. Through each effort, Millie’s mission remains clear: to bring people together in a spirit of kindness and connection.
THEME: HONORING THE DEPTH OF LOCAL BLACK POETS AND THEIR STORIES
HOST: Millicent Ansah
FEATURES: Marc Polite, Ameerah Shabazz, Savage Writer, James C. Ellerbe, Juanita Graves & Evie Shockley
PRICE: FREE / RSVP https://ww2.jclibrary.org/olkx / (entrance on corner of Jersey + 10th)
CONTACT: FB - Jersey City Free Public Library / IG - @jclibrarynj / www.jclibrary.org