Poetry

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Amanda Gorman thegrio.com
January 22, 2021

Amanda Gorman’s books at the top of bestseller lists following inauguration

Amanda Gorman’s books have climbed to the top of multiple bestseller lists following her historic inauguration appearance.
October 22, 2017

Poet Nikki Giovanni says Trump is “clearly evil” and she doesn’t regret calling out Bill Cosby

Poet Nikki Giovanni has been telling it like it is for over three decades.  The award-winning writer, activist and educator
October 3, 2016

#GrioAuthorsCircle: Clint Smith reads excerpt from new book ‘Counting Descent’

In a time of social unrest, the words of change-makers comfort and inspire us. Writer Clint Smith offers a heart-wrenching glimpse of our world
August 11, 2016

National spoken word artist claims he was racially profiled while walking home

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A candidate for Rhode Island poet laureate said he was racially profiled and unjustly arrested by…
October 3, 2015

T.I.'s criticism of social media activism misses the mark

OPINION - T.I. is many things. He’s charismatic, talented, business-minded, charming and has a rather adorable family-oriented reality show. One…
July 21, 2015

Two poets call out all the black men who hate black women

theGrio REPORT - "These black girls need to watch out, 'cause white girls is winning."
September 5, 2013

Maya Angelou to receive honorary book award

NBC New York - The book world is finally honoring Maya Angelou...
May 2, 2013

Maya Angelou honors mom, grandmother in new book

NEW YORK (AP) — Writer, actor, dancer. Activist, teacher, composer. In the melange of Maya Angelou's 85 years is also…
May 27, 2011

Spoken-word musician Gil Scott-Heron dies in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) - The author of the song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" -- which helped pioneer sounds…
May 12, 2011

Why the right hates Common

The man at the center of all those middle-aged white people's anger this week was Chicago's own Lonnie Rashid Lynn…
May 12, 2011

The right wants to remind America Obama is black

OPINION - Obama appears to be moving too fast and successfully for GOP strategists, and they seem to be clearly…
May 12, 2011

Common rhymes about MLK at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) - Rapper Common opened his performance at the White House with cuts of words from Martin Luther King,…
May 11, 2011

Jill Scott is the next White House guest being called 'racist'

If you haven't been following the story, Michelle Obama's event is set to feature poetry readings by a number of…
May 10, 2011

Common's White House invite creates controversy

If the artist is worth his or her salt, then chances he or she has probably done something outre or…
May 9, 2011

Rapping judge has troubled teens write poetry

VIDEO - The kids aren't just knocking off 40 hours off their community service, they're also getting a surprise from…
February 15, 2011

African-American ‘giants’ more than meet Medal of Freedom standard

OPINION - Collectively, Maya Angelou, John Lewis and Bill Russell represent the very best of the American spirit..
October 27, 2010

Schomburg Center getting Maya Angelou’s papers

NEW YORK (AP) - More than 300 boxes of Maya Angelou's personal papers, including letters from Malcolm X and James…
May 21, 2010

Slideshow: Maya Angelou’s star-studded 82nd birthday celebration

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Poet Maya Angelou celebrated a belated 82nd birthday Thursday with a few celebrity friends and a…
May 5, 2010

Discovering our roots in the ‘African Capital of Brazil’

Most of the slaves brought to Brazil were first taken to and "broken" in Salvador da Bahia before being sent…
April 4, 2010

Poets speak about progress in the recession

VIDEO - Progress in the Recession is an event coordinated by New York barber Denny Moe where men and women…