Friends & foes,
Waddup waddup! It’s been a minute since we kicked it (I am really living up to the “sporadic opinions” part of my newsletter description), but I promised myself that I’d hit you up today. A lot has been going on, but they all are mostly good things. Here are some KB updates for you:
I’VE GOT NEW TOUR DATES! A number of them are virtual, so there’s no excuse not to slide through :) check those out here.
I finally set up a shop! Check out recordings of popular workshops I’ve done, signed copies of my book, posters, stickers, and zines here.
I was featured on Ours Poetica! So much love to Sarah Kay for inviting me. Check out the video of me reading my poem “Black Life circa 2029” here.
I’ve gotten two other poems published since I sent a newsletter — one with Protean Magazine and one with the Social Soundtrack’s Resistance and Resilience journal.
I got essays published with Anti-Racism Daily and Autostraddle.
I’ve been doing such BEAUTIFUL interviews with the likes of Chicago Review of Books, Sightlines Magazine, and more. Check out all my recent interviews and reviews here.
Allegedly, I’m going to grad school in the fall.
MY DEBUT POETRY CHAPBOOK IS OUT!!!! Purchase a copy if you haven’t already here.
Please ask your local public library, bookstore, university, college, book club, or political education group to pleaaase carry my book. It would mean the world to me!!! ISBN is ISBN is 978-1-952224-13-3, and full name of the book is “How To Identify Yourself With a Wound”. Let's get it poppin baby!!!!!
I have a big, BIG announcement hitting the interwebs this Friday, April 22. If I was you, I would follow me on one or some of the interwebs (twitter, facebook, instagram, tiktok, linkedin, youtube) if I was you.
Most of all, I hope this email finds you breathing well, getting restful sleep, and living your absolute best life. In closing, here is a mantra I wrote & have been telling myself when I’m feeling stressed and worried. I hope you get something from it, too:
Mantra in the age of everything
After Nene Leakes
I’m here. I will surpass anything I can currently reach. No matter what a white god or page passed in a courtroom performance space said. Today is mine still. Even after the whips, after the overflow of decrees damning us into a lake, after all this colony-induced trauma they don’t want us to name, I’m here. Queer & genderless shining in the backdrop of American shame. Shameless plug: my new show is coming up. Tickets are on sale for The American Game: who wins & who loses when the negro won’t go exinct? Smushfaced grandparents, shitstained grandchildren in policy telling us that we can’t talk about it. Call her Lady Liberty. We don’t need no cards; no leaders needed in this charade. Just people moving into a circle, in and out of existence; everything is clear, America. No matter how much they muddy, we pen. If I don’t make it, at least my children—chosen & blood— will see these words. Let me make myself clear: I’m here, & I aint changing it.
***
Til next time!
Love, peace, and chicken grease,
KB