Poet Ekere Tallie will share her poetry and knowledge with WSU students with a public reading on Thursday March 28 at 2 p.m. in the Millett Hall Atrium, and a poetry workshop at 10 a.m.
Tallie’s writings deal with silence, sexism and racism. Tallie’s work has been published in many anthologies and literary journals, including “BOMB” and “Crab Orchard Review.” She currently teaches writing and literature at York College in Queens, NY. Tallie has performed in North America, Europe and Southern Africa.
Her visit is sponsored by the English Department, Women’s Center, Women’s Studies Program, Bolinga Center and African American Studies Program.
“What I really like about Tallie is her awareness of language,” Lecturer in the English Department and member of the Creative Writing Committee Cynthia Marshall said. “She deals with important issues, such as sexual experience, without being preachy or heavy-handed. She makes it beautiful.”
Marshall said the public reading and the workshop are a chance for students to ask questions and get help in their writing.
Tallie was chosen as the first poet of the year to come to WSU because of the number of suggestions from committee members to bring her.
“We wanted someone who was comfortable working with students,” Marshall said. “We wanted diversity, specifically a poet, a women and of color. We are fortunate to have her come; she’s very busy and has done a lot of great work.”
Tallie’s most recent work is “Karma’s Footsteps,” which was her first book released in 2011.
She will be signing books at her reading and answering any questions.
Tallie was the subject of a short film, “I Leave My Colors Everywhere.”
She invites all mothers to read “The Sage Mama: A Spirited Place for All Things Mama,” which is a blog she hosts. To read her blog go to thesagemama.wordpress.com.
She is passionate about supporting women’s journeys into motherhood and regularly organizes herbal workshops in NYC as a budding herbalist.
She also has a blog dedicated to herbs called “The Sage Honey: Herbal Adventures for Sweeter Family Health.” Read more at thesagehoney.wordpress.com.
“She’s a great addition to this year. She’s young, modern and can bring a fresh perspective to the students,” Marshall said. “We’ve had wonderful and famous poets come to Wright State, which can be intimidating for students.”
Students interested in attending Tallie’s poetry workshop should contact Kelli Zaytoun at kelli.zaytoun@wright.edu or 775-4525.
