Sonia Sanchez. This sister is a living legend; I remember the day she did spoken word on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam. Like many, I rank her alongside Maya Angelou, as both poets have inspired thousands upon thousands to start writing. Sonia Sanchez's poems: July, Why, Magic, nigger, A Song, malcolm, Poem No. 1, Poem No. 7, black magic, poem at thirty, small comment, Prelude to Nothing, personal letter no. 3, Towhomitmayconcern, and To You/Who Almost Turned/Me On.

From the Harlem Renaissance era, we have more of Carrie W. Clifford's poems. This woman was also an activist in the women's rights and civil rights movements. CWC poetry: Duty's Call, To My Mother, All Hail! Ye Colored Graduates, My Baby (On Reading 'Souls of Black Folk.'), and The Singer and the Song (To Paul Laurence Dunbar).

One of the earliest female African American playwrights, Georgia Douglas Johnson was also an accomplished poet. Her first poem was published in the literary journal The Voice of the Negro in 1905. Later, her first collection of poems was published in 1916. Enjoy more of Georgia Douglas Johnson's poetry: Hope, Utopia, Soldier, Benediction, I Want to Die While You Love Me.

Not much is known about James D. Corrothers - 2, yet this brother accomplished a lot during his time on this earth. He was not just a poet but also served the Lord as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Baptist, and Presbyterian churches. More of James D. Corrothers' poems: TO ------, UP! SING THE SONG, IN A SOUTHLAND VALE, DREAM AND THE SONG, and THE BLACK MAN'S SOUL.

Before I wrap up this update, I have to highlight the late great Langston Hughes. Best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Mr. Hughes is also recognized for being one of the earliest innovators of the literary art form known as jazz poetry. Some of Langston Hughes' poems: Negro, Afraid, Harlem, Sick Room, Young Bride, Negro Dancers, The White Ones, As I Grew Older, I look at the world, and Poem-To the Black Beloved-.

To my surprise the late great Toni Morrison also had a thing for poetry. I'm honored to share the five poems she published; one has to wonder if there is more out there. TM black poetry: Eve Remembering, I Am Not Seaworthy, It Comes Unadorned, Someone Leans Near, and The Perfect Ease of Grain. More than ever, we need to start acknowledging those who paved the way for this new crop of talented writers. Alice Walker is one we should give her flowers now. More of this poet's work has been added. I hope she inspires one to pick up a pen, and release upon a poetic canvas. AW poems: RICH, IN US, TOLD, EVEN SO, VASILISA, Our Martyr, YOU CAME, SOMETIMES, ENCOUNTERING, I WILL NOT DENY, YOU'D BE SURPRISED, Before I Leave The Stage, The World We Want Is Us, LOVE IS THAT GIANT BAG, The Tree Of Life Has Fallen, and WATCHING YOU HOLD YOUR HATRED.

Have a new poet I would like to put before your eyes, and he goes by the name E. Ethelbert Miller. Baseball lovers will enjoy the following poems, as Americans favorite pastime has been part of his life since childhood. EEM black poetry; Baldwin, Beloved, Wild Pitch, The Trade, Rain Delay, The Walkoff, Barry Bonds, The Playoffs, The Pitch Out, Port-Au-Prince, The Knuckleball, The Pitch Count, Old Timer's Day, Looking for Omar, The Boys of Summer, If God Invented Baseball, Juan, Willie and The Boys, Malcolm X, February 1965, The Things in Black Men's Closets, and The Ear is an Organ Made for Love... Before I wrap this up, we have Arna Bontemps. One of the originals, and years later another generation gets to bathe within Bontemps literature. AB black poems; Hope, Dirge, Blight, Holiday, Spring Music, A Tree Design, The Shattering, Here Is the Sea, and Length of Moon...

Our Spring updates include more poems from three very talented and beautiful soul sisters. First up there is Amanda Gorman. So young yet this young lady has already accomplished a lot. So delighted to share more of her work. AG black poems; LUCENT, WE WRITE, RESOLUTE, BACK TO THE PAST, and EVERY DAY WE ARE LEARNING. Next, there is the one and only Jill Scott. One of the first singers to highlight Neo Soul on the national scene. Not only known for her vocals but Miss Scott also happens to be a poet. JS black poetry; Caution, Pocket-Size #1, Kings at Clubs?, Revolutionary Man, and Untitled #2 (for MTV Black History Month 2001). Grammy award-winning and multiplatinum singer Alicia Keys still is going strong after all these years in the music industry. Many don't realize Keys, just like so many musicians are poets at heart. More of AK black poetry; angel, 4 letter word, such a strong word, no room for religion, and when gone is the glory. There is also an update in the 'Famous Writers' section. There has been an addition to Robert Hayden's collection. Little known fact, Mr. Hayden was the first Black faculty member in Michigan's English department. Also, he served as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1976 to 1978, a role today known as US Poet Laureate. RH black poems; Letter, Ice Storm, Double Feature, Traveling through Fog, and Night, Death, Mississippi.

Some good news, We have added a new area where you can find out more about your favorite poet. This section includes a short bio of the poet as well as contact information. It's divided, so there is a male and female section. After all these years, so many of you requested more info on a given poet, I just had to add this to our ever-growing poetry site. 22 years later, and we are losing count. -Smile-

Attention!! Attention!! - If you are a past poet that has been featured on the site previously, feel free to send a short bio and contact information to: Staff@Ctadams.com.

If you are an aspiring poet, we would also like to hear from you as well. Please submit 5 poems, a bio, and contact information to: NewPoet@Ctadams.com.

Note: One may want to read over the current poets' bios, to get familiar with what we are asking from you.