Kevin Powell

MINNESOTA! We will be in Minneapolis for screening and talk around our new doc film, WHEN WE FREE THE WORLD. The film is about manhood in America. FREE, all welcome, TUES NIGHT OCT 7, at University of Minnesota, inside Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Doors open 6pm. All details on attached flyer.

“Somehow we must keep hope alive—a hope that we can find a way to educate all, alleviate poverty, assuage anger, and live in harmony with the environment, with animals, and with each other.”—JANE GOODALL

ADOLESCENCE. So I finally watched 4-part Netflix limited series many have said to see all year. BLOWN AWAY by its excellence and honesty. Yes, deep dive about manhood. But also about family, mental health, parenting, social media, more. Every family should watch this, AND TALK.

TWIN CITIES OF MINNESOTA! We are bringing our new documentary film on manhood in America, WHEN WE FREE THE WORLD, there on TUES NIGHT, OCT 7th. FREE, all welcome, all details on the attached flyer. I will be there, and we will have community conversation immediately after the screening.

SARAH VAUGHAN. This album I am listening to from the early 1960s is EVERYTHING. I do not know if her voice could even be more perfect. Angels are up in them vocals of hers.

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”—DALAI LAMA

CHUCK D AND ASSATA SHAKUR. Public Enemy co-founder and legendary rapper Chuck D is also a long-time visual artist, including designing the group’s famous logo. He just texted me this sketch he did of Assata Shakur, who he famously referenced in a P.E. song, “Rebel Without A Pause.”

ASSATA SHAKUR has died. If you have never read her autobiography and also researched for yourself what really happened with and to her, then you should. I DID. All the information is out there. Alas, she is with the ancestors now….

EVERYONE! I am co-hosting on WBGO radio TODAY, the 46-year-old public radio station that serves New York-New Jersey area, America, world. I will be on 12NOON EST. WE MUST SAVE PUBLIC RADIO, including this amazing jazz station. You can listen/learn how to support via WBGO app or WBGO.org, please.

bell hooks, my late mentor/friend/sister would have been 73 today, SEPT 25. I miss her dearly. Please Google “letter to bell hooks” poem I wrote for her in Essence magazine upon her passing. Like many she changed my life.

Posting a bright and colorful painting a day. jancrooker.com

For 35 years, Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins has provided a front-row seat to L.A.’s evolution In the 17 mysteries in the series, Easy Rawlins has given readers a front-row seat to author Walter Mosley’s vision of L.A.’s evolution. Easy navigates the social shifts in Mosley’s latest book, 'Gray Dawn.'

For 35 years, Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins has provided a front-row seat to L.A.'s evolution

Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA): “For the first time, we are seeing deaths from children from measles. We haven’t seen that in two decades. We’re seeing that under your watch. You are a hazard to the health of the American people.”

RFK Jr.: “Can I respond?”

Warnock: “No…you ought to resign.”

Don't miss out on the #LDFShow! Join @luriedanielfavors.bsky.social in the world's messiest intersection NOW! 866-801-TALK

Watching Jimmy Kimmel. Great remarks. Clear, honest, grace under fire. But I am also thinking about the 300,000-plus Black women in America who’ve lost jobs this year. Their jobs matter too.

JOHN COLTRANE would have been 99-years-old today, September 23. There is not a week that goes by where I do not listen to his music. He is a major spiritual and artistic inspiration for me.

My music this morning, in full meditation mode, is the great West Coast tenor saxophonist KAMASI WASHINGTON.

Watching this Bad Bunny concert. He is the truth. #forthepeople #PuertoRico #Boricua

The great poet jessica Care moore is at the Brooklyn Book Festival TODAY, 1pm. All details on attached flyer.

That loss by the New York Liberty tonight HURT. A year ago we were celebrating their championship in the streets of Brooklyn. Just did not have it this time. Hats off to Phoenix Mercury.

THE BROTHERS SIZE is one of the most stunning plays I have ever seen in my entire life. It captures the complexities of manhood, of Black manhood, like few things I have ever witnessed in any genre of art. If in New York City area, you must see it, feel it, experience it. Brilliant writing, acting.

Listening to Cardi B’s new album. Yup, I love rock, jazz, hip-hop, classical music, gospel, and Cardi B too. She is real, honest, brilliant, funny, and so New York.

Whatever you do, please don’t stop reading.

Read for joy. Read for education. Read for resistance. Read banned books. Read books by marginalized authors. Read about experiences that differ from your own.

Just. Keep. Reading.

ROBERT REDFORD has passed at age 89. Actor, Oscar-winning director, founder of Sundance, environmentalist, a huge part of my childhood/youth because of his movies. He lived, he truly lived, and truly gave back to many.

“Nobody’s free until everybody is free.”—FANNIE LOU HAMER

My mother’s hand, holding her purse, as I took her to dentist today in my hometown of Jersey City. I value taking care of my mother as she once took care of me, with her hands.

My wife and I attended ACTIVELY BLACK fashion show for fashion week that was not fashion show. It was incredible multimedia walk through Black History that will never be erased. Salute to founder Lanny Smith for his vision and resilience. Everyone who can should support ACTIVELY BLACK immediately.

JESSYE NORMAN. This opera singer’s voice is my soundtrack tonight, her album simply called SPIRITUALS. Because when evil is lurking all over sometimes you just sit with the divine and listen, that is all. And fortify your soul by all available means.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”—GANDHI

September 11th. A poem I wrote a few months after. Knew people who died that day. Cannot believe it has been 24 long years since.