About The Author

Amiri Baraka was born on October 7, in1934. He was an inspiring African American poet, playwright, and activist.

He was named as Everett LeRoi Jones, but then he changed his name to reflect his ideological and spiritual transformation. In the 1960s, he dropped "Everett," a name he associated with Western culture and the trace of slavery, and adopted "Amiri Baraka" after converting to Islam.

Baraka was a leading figure of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s to promote Black pride and celebrate African American culture through art, literature, and performance.

Throughout his career, Baraka received numerous awards, including the Obie Award for Best American Play, for his play Dutchman (1964). Despite the controversy surrounding some of his views, his ability to use literature as a tool for revolution and change was impactfull. As Toni Morrison once said, “Amiri Baraka’s words crack open the silence and give voice to the voiceless. His work is a call to action, to revolution.”

Baraka passed away on January 9, 2014, from complications following surgery. His legacy as a writer and activist continues to inspire generations in the fight for equality, and justice.