Emmy® award-winning producer and Newbery Medal award-winning author Kwame Alexander spent much of his childhood in Chesapeake, and he said his experiences in Hampton Roads helped shape his legendary career. It’s a big reason why he’s returning to the 757 to celebrate the release of his new book, “ This is the Honey ”.
“I put in the work,” Alexander said reflecting on the difficult journey to become a successful published poet. “You can’t make a dream come true if you don’t wake up. I woke up!”
Alexander will be reading and signing “This is the Honey”— an anthology of Black poets— at his sister’s store Pure Lagos Art Gallery and Boutique in Norfolk on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Alexander said it was important to include poems in the book from icons like his former Virginia Tech professor and mentor Nikki Giovanni. He also said he was thoughtful about including up-and-coming poets. Alexander stressed that while the book comes from the perspective of Black poets, he believes it can bring all people together.