black futurism

black futurism

BLACK FUTURISM                    -    Kinfolx

Jelal Huyler  is an Oakland, CA born mixedededbruh poet + emcee who does not condone linear time. A 4-time competitor in the National Poetry Slam, 2-time “Grand Slam Champion” (team Berkeley, CA. as well as team Stockton, CA) his voice and work are in the documentary Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequality.  his debut book of poetry A Man Was Lynched Today will release in July of 2024 with GAME OVER BOOKS (available for pre-order at gameoverbooks.com) .

D'mani Thomas (he \ they) is a writer, and creative from Oakland, California (Ohlone territory). He’s interested in the tiny moments that capture attention spans. They have received fellowships from UC Berkeley’s Art & Research Center, The Watering Hole, Foglifter and others. In 2023, they became a finalist for the Penrose Poetry Prize and were awarded a California Arts Council grant through Youth Speaks. D’mani’s debut chapbook, “Grown-up Elementary”, is now available through Black Lawrence Press. 

M’Kala Payton is a poet, and educator from East Oakland CA. Her fervent and vulnerable poetry speaks to and uplifts the generational stories of Black American women, with a focus on Black Mothers and removing the veil of societal tropes and stereotypes while showcasing the beauty and humanity in Black women’s stories.
Joshua Merchant is Black Queer (they / them) native of East Oakland exploring the realm of love. They've had the honor to be awarded the 2023 San Francisco Foundation / Nomadic Press Literary Award for poetry. 

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4pm Leg 1 - Kinfolx