For Black History Month, it is important to highlight different movements that were essential to African American poetry and the literary landscape of America overall. Following the Black Arts movement of the 1960s, many African American artists continued to dive into their cultural heritage and history in America.
As African American poetry has continued to change, evolve, and shape the literary history of the country, there have been poets who have led the way in creating spaces that foster a sense of community, culture, and literary excellence. In 1988, Thomas Sayers Ellis and Sharan Strange founded the Dark Room Collective in Boston. In 1994, the Furious Flower Poetry Center introduced the first annual Furious Flower Poetry Conference, featuring Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Sonia Sanchez; and in 1996, Toi Derricotte and Cornelius Eady founded Cave Canem.
Here are some contemporary poems by Black authors:
- "upon viewing the death of basquiat," Mahogany L.
- "enough food and a mom," Francine J.
Here are ten poems that explore past and present, pain and love, language and family, history and identity, all written by contemporary Black poets. I think the space of the poem really lends itself to exploring all the levels of Black culture.
For some people, the idea of reading or writing poetry feels intimidating. Some people think poetry is boring. Of course, everyone is allowed to have their own opinion about poetry, but you don’t have to “like” poetry in order to add it to your writer’s toolbox.
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There are so many different types of poetry and poets, you could probably find some form of poetry that moves you if you know where to look. That’s why I decided to compile this list of Black poets whose work is accessible, beautiful, and highly regarded. Perhaps these poets and their work can be the gateway to you reading and writing more poetry. And ideally, reading the work of these award-winning poets will help you become a better writer overall.
Here are some famous Black poets you should know about who can help you become a better writer. Reading poetry and writing poetry are excellent ways to improve your craft as a prose writer, whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction.
Also talked about the usefulness of reading poetry as a beneficial addition to one’s writing routine. “I'm aware of a few writers who are not poets themselves, but they begin each writing day by reading poetry,” Asim said. “Because the eloquence, grace, and precision of poetry offers a way of opening the door to that aspect of the creative imagination and can help you do your own work.”
Five Black Poets Whose Work is Accessible, Relatable & Amazing
Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the most well-known, and prolific African American poets born in the 20th century. She published so much work, much of it about the Black experience in America, there’s no doubt you will find something in her poetry that resonates and inspires.
From The Poetry Foundation: “Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the most highly regarded, influential, and widely read poets of 20th-century American poetry. She was a much-honored poet, even in her lifetime, with the distinction of being the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize.
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Additional information relating directly to the poetry, such as prefaces or introductions, has been keyed. Twentieth-Century African American Poetry aims to include as full a collection of the published works of each poet as possible. When available, a poet's collected edition has been keyed. Exceptions are for poets whose collected editions are not yet in print or complete.
In most cases, the editions have been provided by the publishers. In general, only a single version of each poem has been included, and when available, the most recent and complete version of each poem has been keyed. As well, every poem has been indexed within its edition's table of contents. The entire text of each poem has been included.
Any accompanying text forming an integral part of the poetry, such as dedications, notes, acknowledgments, prefaces, introductions, and epigraphs, is generally included, provided ProQuest has secured electronic rights for the material. Twentieth-Century African American Poetry enjoys the active support of the poets involved, their estates, literary agents, and publishers.
When Amanda Gorman ascended to the steps of our nation’s capital she did so standing on the shoulders of Black women who have captured the spirit of momentous occasions in black and white for generations. Gorman contributed to a rich legacy that includes Gwendolyn Brooks, Rita Dove, Tracy K. Smith, Maya Angelou and more when she became the youngest National Poet Laureate.
“I would be nowhere without the women whose footsteps I dance in,” Gorman tweeted while thanking the millions of newcomers eager to learn more about her work after she participated in the inauguration.
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Gorman, who also made history when she was appointed our country’s first National Youth Poet Laureate, isn’t twirling in those footsteps alone. Her success represents a movement of Black women nourishing their communities through their art every day in libraries, bookstores, and at community events.
WATCH: LA Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman Open Inaugural Ceremony
You’ll be inspired to ask your mother who she was before becoming your everything after reading the work of this powerful poet. Monet made a splash in the New York City arts scene when she became the youngest poet to be named the Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion at just 19 years old. Roxane Gay and Ava Duvernay are both fans of her work.
Tracy K. Smith
In my humble opinion, Tracy K. Smith was put on this earth to be a poet. Her work is mesmerizing and welcoming. She tells stories with her poems and she writes about the every day in ways that makes life seem both magical and mystical. poet laureate. She teaches at Harvard University, where she is a professor of English and of African and African American Studies and the Susan S. and Kenneth L. Wallach Professor at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute.”
To read some of Tracy K. Smith’s work and to learn more about her, check out this review in The New Yorker.
Langston Hughes
Of course, I have to include Langston Hughes in this list. Hughes was a writer, with a capital W. He wrote novels, plays, newspaper articles and essays. But I think in his soul, he was a poet. He certainly was most known for his poetry, despite all of the other words he put out into the world. One of the reasons Hughes’ poetry is so accessible, is because he was often writing about and for the everyman. Like Zora Neale Hurston, he was often criticized for writing about the common Black man, but he refused to change his style. Hughes’ poems aren’t overdone and the language is simple and precise. One of my favorite Langston Hughes poems is, I, Too.
Morgan Parker
Admittedly, I am new to Morgan Parker’s work, but I just love the titles of her two poetry collections -Magical Negro and There are More Beautiful Things than Beyoncé - so much, I had to add her to my list. As the youngest poet on this list, Parker’s work may appeal to younger writers looking for work that has a contemporary feel and sound. They hook you and don’t let you go.” To get a taste of Parker’s poetry, and to learn a bit more about her, check out this short Q&A she did with McSweeney’s.
How to add Poetry to Your Writer’s Toolbox
Hopefully, with this list of poets, you can begin to incorporate poetry into your writing routine. I like to tell my students to write poetry as a warm-up exercise before tackling a bigger assignment. Sometimes, rather than telling my students to write a poem, I tell them to “play with their words,” in order to reduce the pressure of producing an “official poem.” In my upcoming Creative Writing Workshop, we’ll be doing a lot of playing with our words to free our writing voices.
But remember, you don’t have to write your own poems to benefit from poetry. Simply by choosing to read a poem a day, or a poem a week, can train your writing muscles to be more precise and yes, poetic, with your word choices. I challenge you to try it.
Here is a list of some contemporary African American poets and their notable works:
| Poet | Notable Works | Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Gorman | "The Hill We Climb" | Hope, unity, democracy |
| Tracy K. Smith | "Life on Mars" | Everyday life, magical realism |
| Langston Hughes | "I, Too" | Black identity, social justice |
| Morgan Parker | "Magical Negro" | Contemporary feel, social commentary |
| Gwendolyn Brooks | "Annie Allen" | Black experience in America |
