Poetry harnesses the power of language to evoke deep emotions, capture fleeting moments, and convey profound truths. The essence of poetry lies in its ability to transform ordinary words into extraordinary experiences, making the intangible tangible and the ephemeral enduring. Through its universal themes and intimate reflections, poetry shares our humanity, offers solace, inspiration, or a new perspective. Join our panel of accomplished and visionary writers/poets in this engaging exploration of finding/knowing one’s way.

Moderator: Kayla Simmons

Kayla Starr Simmons is a Houston native now based in Brooklyn, New York. She is an avid reader and passionate advocate for literature. She is the founder of Black Girl Book Fest, a festival aimed at celebrating Black women in literature with an emphasis on community engagement. With a vibrant online presence as a book influencer, Kayla shares insightful reviews and connects with a diverse community of book lovers, helping them find their next great read. 

Panelists:

Cynthia Manick is the author of No Sweet Without Brine (Amistad-HarperCollins, 2023), which received 5 stars from Roxane Gay, was named among the “Best Poetry of the Last Year” by Ms. Magazine, and was selected as a New York Public Library Best Book of 2023.  She is the author of Brown Girl Polaris (a Belladonna chaplet), editor of The Future of Black: Afrofuturism, Black Comics, and Superhero Poetry; and author of Blue Hallelujahs. Her work has appeared in the Academy of American Poets Poem-A-Day Series, Brooklyn Rail, The Rumpus and other outlets. She lives in New York but travels widely for poetry.

Anastacia-Reneé (She/They) is a queer writer, educator, interdisciplinary artist, playwright, former radio host, TEDX speaker, and podcaster. She is the author of (v.) (Gramma/Black Ocean), Forget It (Black Radish); Sidenotes from the Archivist (HarperCollins/Amistad, ), and Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere (HarperCollins/Amistad). Side Notes From The Archivist was selected as one of “NYPL Best Books of 2023,” and, The American Library Associations (RUSA) “Notable Books of 2024.” Anastacia-Reneé is a recipient of the James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award and, she was selected by NBC News as part of the list of "Queer Artist of Color Dominate 2021's Must See LGBTQ Art Shows," for “(Don’t Be Absurd) Alice in Parts” an installation at the Frye Art Museum. Anastacia-Reneé served as Seattle Civic Poet (2017-1019) during Seattle’s inaugural year of UNESCO status.

Brad Walrond (Every Where Alien) is a poet, author, conceptual/performance artist, and one of the foremost writers and performers of the 1990s Black Arts Movement centered in New York City. His works include the recordings Underneath the Metal, Eargasms: Crucial Poetics: vol.1; fallopia, on Shelley Nicole’s album, I Am American, produced by Vernon Reid, Walrond’s own full-length album, Alien Day, produced by Howard Alper; Blood Brothers, a multimedia installation; and Brad and Kimberley Knox’s short film Cyborg Heaven.