Obsidian’s “Black Listening” series showcases writers and poets

The new Obsidian Journal O| Sessions “Black Listening” series showcasing some of the best Black writers and poets is available for your listening pleasure.

Obsidian publishes the “Obsidian Journal” twice a year at the Publications Unit at Illinois State University since the first edition in 1975. Cultivating Black, African, and African Diaspora creatives imagination, innovation, and excellence, its current editor-in-chief is Duriel E. Harris. They have published acclaimed writers, artists, and critics like Octavia Butler, Elizabeth Alexander, Houston A. Baker, Wanda Coleman, Thadious Davis, Victor Ehikhamenor, C.S. Giscombe, Terrance Hayes, Gayl Jones, Yusef Komunyakaa, Aldon Lynn Nielsen, Sharon Norwood, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Brenda Marie Osbey, Claudia Rankine, Stacey Robinson, Jerry Ward, and Gloria Wade Gayles, among others.

In 2021, they introduced a new series called O| Sessions, a collection of art including pulsating soundscapes, evocative visuals and literature, and thought-provoking poetry—featuring a diverse array of artists pushing the envelope of creative expression. Centred around Black Listening, it was aimed at increasing writers’ and readers’ access to creative writing and related arts education and conversation. Those who appeared were avery r. young, Rosamond S. King, Douglas Kearney, and Duriel E. Harris, and it was unveiled on World Listening Day 2021 on July 18.

With, Vol 49.2, the latest edition of the journal themed “Outta Sight!/Sonic Bodies in the Galaxy of Black Listening” on the way, the team has curated the newest edition of the O|Sessions. The new iteration features Andres L. Hernandez, Benin Lemus, Diamond Forde, Ebony E. Chinn, Edil Hassan, Imani Elizabeth Jackson, Jassmine Parks, Jennifer Price, karen lee, Kindall Gant, Loraine Masiya Mponela, Lysz Flo, Me’Chelle, Naudia Williams, Ngwatilo Mawiyoo, S. Erin Batiste, Sacharja Cunningham, Saleem Hue Penny, shakirah peterson, Shalewa Mackall, Tobi Kassim, Trace DePass, and Vincente Perez.

Listen to the different stories by clicking here.

You can get back issues of Obsidian by clicking here.

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