Assistant Professor

English

My work as a writer tends to consider themes of Blackness, urbanity, and community. I'm fascinated by how people relate to each other and how power has come to shape those interactions. Furthermore, I am intrigued by how form and vernacular inform how we communicate with each other and ultimately how we write. I believe poems are a rare and important space for us to tinker, play, and discover. I maintain that the role of literature is to reach towards other people.

In addition to all manner of poetry and general creative writing instruction I've taught classes on Hip-Hop, The Black Experience in the U.S., and Multicultural American Literature. I've published one book of poems, Wild Hundreds (2015), and my next book of poems, FINNA (2020) is forthcoming. I was an editor of The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop (2015). I've also written plays, essays, and released 3 hip-hop albums.

Aside from writing and teaching I enjoy exploring Colorado with my partner Alison, playing basketball, watching the NBA, cycling, watching college football, pontificating about my hometown Chicago, winning in spades, and arguing about the greatest rappers of all-time.

Regular Classes

Beginning Poetry Writing

Introduction to Poetry