A Virtual Reading for Main Street Rag

I did a short virtual reading from Teaching While Black. for Main Street Rag Publishing Company.

Teaching While Black named a "Must Read" by Massachusetts Book Awards

I just learned my first chapbook Teaching While Black has been named a "Must Read" in the adult poetry category of by the Massachusetts Book Awards!

(Not that kind of adult poetry…i think)

I’ll find out in the fall if I won the big prize!

Teaching While Black

Buy MEH's poetry from MEH!

I finally figured out how to sell my collections directly to those good people brave (or crazy) enough to be interested in a copy.

While you can still buy direct from my publishers, Teaching While Black and Dust and Ashes can now go directly from my hands to yours.

Teaching While Black Reviewed in The Radical Teacher

An in-depth and insightful review of Teaching While Black was written by Eben Wood for The Radical Teacher (where some of the poems in my collection originally appeared).

Mr. Wood comments on my work through the critical lens of radical pedagogy, including not only my poems in his analysis, but also my choice of epigrams, ordering, and this historical moment.

It’s always humbling to see my work through someone else’s eyes. Click image to read.

Review of Teaching While Black in The Boston Globe

There is a short, but powerful review of Teaching While Black in The Boston Globe’s most recent New England Literary News Section.

You can read it online here.

(And you thought I’d first make it into The Globe for other reasons…)

Review of Teaching While Black at Sundress Reads

Teaching While Black is a full collection of confessional poetry from black poet and educator Matthew E. Henry available through Main Street Rag Publishing Company. This book showcases the lack of respect Henry, as a Black teacher, often faces in the public school system and the amount of emotional labor he often carries for his students…

Thus begins a lovely review of my collection from Sundress Publication’s Sundress Reads .

Read the rest here.

Poets in Pajamas Reading on Facebook Live - May 10th

I’ve been selected to participate in Poets in Pajamas reading series on Facebook Live!

On Sunday, May 10th I will be reading selections from Teaching While Black, answering questions, and trying not to bring shame upon my family.

We’ll see what happens.

Here’s the event page link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1162329310765604/

Review of Teaching While Black at BASPPS

Doug Holder's Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene has posted an excellent review of Teaching While Black written by Gregory J. Wolos.

I feel a exposed.

The Poetry Cafe's Review of Teaching While Black

Henry is an educator… who also feels deeply the frustrations incumbent upon being a Black teacher working in schools with a majority of white educators and students. God bless him for that, and even more so, for the frank, humorous, and compassionate poems in his memorable chapbook, Teaching While Black.

The good folks at The Poetry Cafe have posted their review of Teaching While Black online.

Poem published in Take a Stand, Art Against Hate

“said the band-aid to the shotgun wound”

is being reprinted in Take a Stand, Art Against Hate: A Raven Chronicles Anthology.

This poem, originally published in Teaching While Black, explores everything wrong with the application of uncritical anti-bias trainings in public school settings. Or at least what I could fit into one long poem before my head exploded.

I proud to have it included in this anthology.

Teaching While Black at Two More Stores

I’m pleased to add Frugal Bookstore (Roxbury, MA)

and Brookline Booksmith (Brookline, MA)

to the locations where Teaching While Black is now available for purchase. Stop in, support local bookstore, and MEH!

Poetry reading at work. Still have a job…

…as far as I know. I think it went well.

#BlackLivesMatterAtSchoolWeek

But if it didn't, I can take comfort and joy in the fact that two of my kids made me a cake!

Teaching While Black at Wellesley Books

I’m on my book-selling hustle. Been in contact with a few different stores and as of yesterday, Teaching While Black is now available for purchase at Wellesley Books (Wellesley, MA).

I was a METCO student in Wellesley. And now the local bookstore holds a book which is bracketed by two poems about my racial awareness and centeredness being formed in that town. For better or worse.

Teaching While Black is HERE!

It’s nice to walk in the door to find a box of your first published book.

Yeah.

*Teaching While Black* Publication Update

I just approved the covers and internal galleys for Teaching While Black, and the release date looks like it will be pushed up to mid-late January.

Just in time for Black History Month.

However, you can still pre-order now and secure your copy at a price of $7 (it goes up to $13 upon publication).