Happy National Poetry Month!
Freedom Knows My Name 2.0 is here!
There's writing a book and then there's the business. My author story has ups and downs. Recently I negotiated better terms for myself as an author. This includes a redesign, some new poems and an afterword. The cover also has some slight changes to note the 2nd printing. If you bought the book the first time, thank you. Contact me at khdpoetry@gmail.com for the code to access the updated audio album for free. Soon the book will also be available on audible, kindle, and more. Purchase on the website or amazon now. The book will be available to order from your local bookstore, local retailers, etc. starting June 1, 2021.
Be sure to follow me on social media at:
Insta: @iamkellyhd
Join the Sistahs Circle
Ashe Cultural Arts Center is very dear to my heart.
Every Tuesday at 6:30PM CST (virtually) until April 20th, I lead a writing circle with Ashe' Cultural Arts Center's Sistahs Making a Change. No experience needed. The goal is wellness through writing and celebrating a Black woman poet each week. Free. Register: https://www.ashenola.org/sistahs-making-a-change
Read my profile on the former executive director of Ashe' Cultural Arts Center esteemed Carol Bebelle.
The Body Remembers
I won’t be dancing but you’ll hear my voice in a segment of this show.
The show will run from Thursday, April 15th - Saturday, April 17th, 2021 with two performances each night at 6pm and 8pm. In-person audience size will be limited to 75 due to Covid19 restrictions. There will be a virtual screening for the show as well for audiences that cannot attend in-person.
In-person audience: $15.00/ general admission; $10.00/ Tulane faculty/staff/student (ID required); video link: $5.00/ per access code
Tickets can be purchased through at https://musicboxvillage.com or through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-orleans-airlift-18575782592.
Watch an excerpt of the practice featuring my poem here:
Join Me For Virtual Happy Hour April 16
Garden District Books #NewOrleans
Join the literary happy hour here.
Purchase a signed copy here.
Join me and Cuyahoga Community College
for a reading, Q&A and reading by students.
Join the literary cafe here:
Ohioana Book Festival: April 24th; 5pm EST/4PM CT
I'll be joining the 2021 Ohioana Book Festival
Sign up here to RSVP your seat for the Lift Every Voice panel.
Old but Good News
April 1: Kelly participated in a reading of the anthology:
I AM New Orleans.
Read more about it here.
April 2: I kicked off National Poetry Month at Melba's Po'Boys in New Orleans.
It was an amazing time and the people were the highlight of my day. I especially enjoyed interacting with a non-traditional audience.
Over 80 people and too many pictures to post them all.
March 2021: A video featuring Kelly was featured at the The 25th Williams Research Center Symposium celebrates the voices of Black activists from the era of Reconstruction sponsored by the Historic New New Orleans Collection.
Freedom Thoughts: Keys to My Success
Sometimes it's just as important what you don't do, as it is what you do. I've learned to be patient.
Actually sometimes I was forced into patience because I had no other options. Wait and work. While I have been in various seasons of my life, I have gained wisdom along the journey. The wisdom I've gained from disappointments and heartache helped me become a better writer and person. No matter your job or desire, patience will be a needed. Be patience. Be purposeful. Be prayerful.
Freedom Knows Your Name.