Join us to hear four writers read from their work in Diaspora Café D.C., an anthology by AfroLatinx writers.
An anthology by AfroLatinx writers, Diaspora Café D.C. is a collective investigation of survival by writers within a system that deprioritizes their existence. Join us to hear four authors read their work, and stay for a discussion of the anthology and a Q&A opportunity. Books will be available for purchase.
Guests will include:
STEPHANI E. D. MCDOW is published internationally in anthologies and literary journals including Day Eight's "Diaspora Cafe: DC," Raven Chronicles Press' “Take a Stand: Art Against Hate Anthology," Still Point Arts Quarterly, Genre: Urban Arts No. 7, and “Femme Literati: Mixtape Anthology.” Formerly a contributing author at Woman Around Town and freelance writer/editor, Stephani's work has been praised by award-winning editor, writer and journalist, Susan L. Taylor; and award-winning author and editor, Charlene Giannetti. In addition to being a poet and writer, Stephani is a nonprofit, professional development and training consultant; speaker; and social justice advocate. A native D.C. Washingtonian, she currently resides in Maryland and is working on completing her first novel. Learn more by visiting http://stephanimcdow.com.
J. JOY “SISTAH JOY” MATTHEWS ALFORD is the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and has authored three collections of poetry. She is currently editing the inaugural Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) poetry anthology, Poets That Dance with Words. She has hosted and produced the nationally recognized poetry cable television program, Sojourn with Words, since its inception in 2005. She has served as president of the Poetry Ministry of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington, Maryland since 2003. She is the founder of Collective Voices, an ensemble of native Washington, DC poets known for their poems of social consciousness, empowerment, and spirituality.
JEFFREY BANKS is poetically known as “Big Homey.” His credits include: ESSENCE Magazine, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, Radio-One Inc., the CBS Early Show, BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine, performing nationwide, international broadcasts, multiple grant awards and publications through DC Public Libraries, the National Association for Poetry Therapy, Paris Lit Up, and Day Eight.
MARITZA RIVERA is a Puerto Rican poet and Army veteran who has lived in Rockville, MD since 1994. She has been writing poetry for over fifty years; is the creator of a short form of poetry called Blackjack and is the publisher of Casa Mariposa Press. Maritza is the author of About You; A Mother’s War, written during her son’s two tours in Iraq; Baker’s Dozen; Twenty-One: Blackjack Poems and creator of the Blackjack Poetry Playing Cards. Her work appears in literary magazines, anthologies and online publications and in the public arts project, Meet Me at the Triangle in Wheaton, MD. In 2011, Maritza began hosting the annual Mariposa Poetry Retreat, “where the magic of poetry happens”, which takes place in Puerto Rico in 2022.
For more information about the book:
https://day-eight-books.myshopify.com/products/diaspora-cafe-d-c-edited-by-jeffrey-banks-and-maritza-rivera
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People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.
GEN 1.0 10/27/2021
AGE GROUP: | Teens | Older Adults | Adult |
EVENT TYPE: | Meet the Author |
TAGS: | Indoor Program | Black History Month |