"James Baldwin"

by Jakiyah James- 9th

All he wanted to do was have a good life

But because of the color of his skin it just wasn't right

Writing poems was one thing he had in sight

But still nothing seemed right

Job after job who didn't see him fitting in

He stuck to the one thing that made him rich

Writing poems was the love of his life and stuuck with him for the rest of his life

A poet is who I am
Just protest for freedom and you may catch a damn
Those people don’t treat me the same
They will never hear you make your claim
A face

A name
Is what you see but I fought for freedom
So free them

"A Tribute to Alice Walker"

by Anaya Montalvo-9th

"I Am Richard"

by Alvin Meronvil- 9th

I was one of few black students at Lanier High School

Something told me I was not the same

I always felt that if I speak the other students would bring shame

I wrote this speech to show that blacks can also write

Another reason is to show that whites are not the only center of light

"Tribute to Ntozake Shange"

by Christine Davies- 9th

As a colored person life was not bad for Paulette Linda Williams

Instead of staying in this country she traveled around

She learned about other countries, other cultures, and the beauty sometimes is unseen by so many

She later became Ntozake Shange

She wrote so much poetry, to bless our hearts

Her work was admired in many lives, but her history will always

Stay here

Although on October 27, 2018 she was stolen from us

Her fighting voice will always shout high