About the Book:
The poems in this book present a mosaic of modern life that reaches
back to the past to capture the pulse of the future. Tapping into topics
such as social justice, economic disparity, spiritual philosophy, and
most of all love, this book provides a compelling tribute to non
conformity and a celebration of those who defy social norms.
Often set against the backdrop of East Harlem, 'El Barrio', New York,
the poetry strides through complex intricacies of life and society with
vivid imagery and introspective musings.
The pieces come alive with the rhythms of jazz and blues music, and
immerse the reader in an artistic journey of creativity. To read these
poems is to experience the culture. Engaging for ages young and old
alike, Black Existentialism is a collection of writings that bridges
landmark poetic influences such as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez,
Gil Scott Heron, Allen Ginsberg, and many more, with the cultural
vibrancy of the 21st century.
About the Author:
JULIAN THOMAS is a poet, acting teacher, and youth mentor born
and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With deep family history in East Harlem,
where he now teaches and resides, Julian's Afro-Caribbean roots trace
back to Sierra Leone, Grenada, and Honduras.
Gravitating toward acting from an early age, Julian Thomas is a graduate
of the renown theatre program at Northwestern University and has
performed his original poetry on outlets coast to coast, including on
the St. Louis NBC news, as well as Al Sharpton's National Action Network.
Along with a lengthy Shakespeare career playing roles such as Othello,
King Lear, and Theseus in Midsummer Night's Dream, Julian has
narrated over 20 audiobooks in fiction and non-fiction.
Among these include "Of Blood and Sweat; Black Lives and the Making
of White Power and Wealth" by Clyde W. Ford; "Hack Your Bureaucracy:
Get Things Done No Matter What Your Role on Any Team" by Obama
Administration White House staff Marina Nitze and Nick Sinai, and
Etan Thomas's "We Matter; Athletes and Activism," a collection of
essays and interviews exploring the social justice landscape of today.
