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Black Rootedness (E-book)

$12.99

Experience a visceral journey from West Oakland to West Africa (WO2WA).

Black Rootedness is a landmark Pan-African poetry anthology that bridges centuries of separation to foster a meaningful dialogue between 54 poets from Africa and America in the Renshi poetry method. Curated by Karla Brundage with an introduction by Rashidah Ismaili, this collection is the culmination of international workshops designed to explore the vibrant exchange between Africa and the African Diaspora.

A Narrative of Healing and Sankofa

At the heart of this spoken word and creative writing collection is the concept of Sankofa—the intentional return to retrieve narratives that have been forgotten or lost. By centering Black healing and growth, these poems provide an uncensored critique of social systems while celebrating the strength of women and the resilience of cultural identity.

The Impact of Pan-African Literature and Diaspora Narratives

Connecting the Diaspora: From the streets of West Oakland to the shores of West Africa, these voices navigate the shared experiences of the foreigner, the returnee, and the neo-African. Through an experimentation of styles, these poets deliver an authentic and innovative form of contemporary lyricism that redefines international, cross-cultural relationships and Afrocentric Expression.

This collection of poetry serves as a vital resource for African Studies, social justice advocates, and those interested in the role of art in decolonizing poetry.

Black Rootedness is more than a book; it is a holistic partnership between Americans and the world—a safe space where honesty and pride strive to shape the future of Pan-African literature.

54 Poets from Africa to America

Black Rootedness spans from West Oakland to West Africa (WO2WA) and provides a sustained exchange to connect members of the African Diaspora and Africa through creative writing. Our core values are to create a safe place for the transparent healing and growth of Black people; to deliver innovative and authentic forms of writing and to engage the medium of spoken word to shape and define the narratives of the Diaspora; and to allow a visceral and uncensored critique of social systems through artistic expression. Our goal is to facilitate Sankofa, a return to retrieve what has been forgotten or lost. By doing so, we hope to continue to promote Afrocentric approaches to international and cross-cultural relationships that support holistic partnerships between Americans and the world around us. — Karla Brundage

The anthology is a culmination of workshops in Africa and America featuring 54 poets from Africa to America, include shared experiences of foreigner/returnee, neo-African, borrower of phrases, and experimenter of styles that shape—and will continue to shape—the vibrant exchange between Africa and the Diaspora. Poetry is an artistic vehicle that allows this to happen with humility and pride; honesty and fear strive for a way to establish a meaningful dialogue after centuries of separation. — Rashidah Ismaili

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Length: 312 pages

Experience a visceral journey from West Oakland to West Africa (WO2WA).

Black Rootedness is a landmark Pan-African poetry anthology that bridges centuries of separation to foster a meaningful dialogue between 54 poets from Africa and America in the Renshi poetry method. Curated by Karla Brundage with an introduction by Rashidah Ismaili, this collection is the culmination of international workshops designed to explore the vibrant exchange between Africa and the African Diaspora.

A Narrative of Healing and Sankofa

At the heart of this spoken word and creative writing collection is the concept of Sankofa—the intentional return to retrieve narratives that have been forgotten or lost. By centering Black healing and growth, these poems provide an uncensored critique of social systems while celebrating the strength of women and the resilience of cultural identity.

The Impact of Pan-African Literature and Diaspora Narratives

Connecting the Diaspora: From the streets of West Oakland to the shores of West Africa, these voices navigate the shared experiences of the foreigner, the returnee, and the neo-African. Through an experimentation of styles, these poets deliver an authentic and innovative form of contemporary lyricism that redefines international, cross-cultural relationships and Afrocentric Expression.

This collection of poetry serves as a vital resource for African Studies, social justice advocates, and those interested in the role of art in decolonizing poetry.

Black Rootedness is more than a book; it is a holistic partnership between Americans and the world—a safe space where honesty and pride strive to shape the future of Pan-African literature.

54 Poets from Africa to America

Black Rootedness spans from West Oakland to West Africa (WO2WA) and provides a sustained exchange to connect members of the African Diaspora and Africa through creative writing. Our core values are to create a safe place for the transparent healing and growth of Black people; to deliver innovative and authentic forms of writing and to engage the medium of spoken word to shape and define the narratives of the Diaspora; and to allow a visceral and uncensored critique of social systems through artistic expression. Our goal is to facilitate Sankofa, a return to retrieve what has been forgotten or lost. By doing so, we hope to continue to promote Afrocentric approaches to international and cross-cultural relationships that support holistic partnerships between Americans and the world around us. — Karla Brundage

The anthology is a culmination of workshops in Africa and America featuring 54 poets from Africa to America, include shared experiences of foreigner/returnee, neo-African, borrower of phrases, and experimenter of styles that shape—and will continue to shape—the vibrant exchange between Africa and the Diaspora. Poetry is an artistic vehicle that allows this to happen with humility and pride; honesty and fear strive for a way to establish a meaningful dialogue after centuries of separation. — Rashidah Ismaili

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Length: 312 pages

Black Rootedness
Black Rootedness
$19.99

About the Author

Karla Brundage is a Pushcart Prize nominee, Fulbright teacher, and author of two books of poetry, Swallowing Watermelons and Mulatta- Not so Tragic, which was co-authored with Allison Francis. She has performed her work onstage and online, both nationally and internationally. Her poetry, short stories, and essays can be found in Konch, Hip Mama, sPARKLE & bLINK, Bamboo Ridge Press, and Vibe. Her work can be found at westoaklandtowestafrica.com as well as at karlabrundage.com

Founder Karla Brundage, conceived of the West Oakland to West Africa organization while living and working in West Africa from 2013 to 2016. As an African-American woman, she established West Oakland to West Africa with the mission of providing a connection to Africa for African-Americans, using poetry as a healing technology to traverse borders spiritually, if not physically. West Africa Poetry Exchange (WO2WA), which has facilitated cross-cultural exchange between Oakland and West African poets and the publication of three books Our Spirits Carry Our Voices, Sisters Across Oceans and the upcoming Black Rootedness collection. She has edited four collections including Oakland Out Loud (2007) and Words Upon the Waters (2006) both by Jukebox Press. Her poetry book, Swallowing Watermelons, was published by Ishmael Reed Publishing Company in 2006. A Bay Area based poet, activist, and educator with a passion for social justice. Born in Berkeley, California in the summer of love to a Black mother and white father, Karla spent most of her childhood in Hawaii where she developed a deep love of nature. Her musical loves include Hawaiian, West African, and Hip Hop sounds.

Other Contributors

Youssef Alaoui