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NEW BOOK!

THE SUMMONING OF BLACK JOY 

by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman

On Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, Liberated Muse Arts Group performed poems from this book in the presentation, "Voices of Freedom and Resistance," written and directed by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman and featuring her original songs and poetry and songs and poetry by Bob Marley, Erykah Badu, Maya Angelou and Billie Holiday.

In this captivating poetry collection by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, released during the Juneteenth 2023 weekend, the power of words becomes a force to reckon with. Through poignant verses written both before and during the COVID-19 global health pandemic, Ali-Coleman weaves a tapestry of emotions that delve into the ongoing struggle for the liberation of Black people in America.

With a skillful hand, Ali-Coleman memorializes the triumphs and tribulations of the Black community, their resilience shining through each line. From the haunting accounts of violence inflicted upon individuals like Ralph Yarl to the heart-wrenching proclamation from a protagonist channeling the Sandra Bland story, the poet lays bare the realities faced by Black people, unafraid to confront the depths of their pain.

Throughout the book,  Ali-Coleman utilizes a variety of poetic forms, effortlessly shifting between riveting free verse, evocative haiku, and stirring elegies. Each poem is a testament to the strength and beauty of Black culture, capturing the spirit of a community that has faced adversity with unwavering determination.

As the 2023-2026 Poet Laureate of Prince George's County, Maryland, Ali-Coleman brings her profound understanding of the human experience and her unwavering dedication to social justice to the forefront. This collection speaks directly to the hearts of its readers, inspiring reflection, empathy, and a call to action.

In a world that too often tries to silence voices, Ali-Coleman's poetry resounds with unyielding power, demanding to be heard. This poetry collection is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and a celebration of the indomitable joy that can rise even in the face of adversity. It is a book that will leave an indelible mark on its readers, reminding us all of the importance of recognizing and amplifying the stories of the Black experience.


LEARNING-CENTERED EDUCATOR, SCHOLAR, CURATOR & MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTIST

Photo by Ben Dawson, Jr.

Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Ed.D. is currently the 2023-2026 Poet Laureate of Prince George's County, MD.  She is a cultural curator with over 20 years of applied experience transforming places into arts and educational spaces.  Dr. Ali-Coleman is award-winning performance artist Khadijah Moon, and a multi-genre writer who is a director, producing playwright and filmmaker. She has shared her poetry and music internationally and her plays have been read, workshopped and produced on numerous stages regionally, including the John F. Center for the Performing Arts, Theatre Alliance, Anacostia Playhouse, Bonifant Theatre, Baltimore Theatre Project, Anacostia Arts Center, and the United States Peace Corps Headquarters. 

Dr. Ali-Coleman is founder of the multidisciplinary arts group Liberated Muse and co-founder of the national education research group Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars, LLC (BFHES). She has maintained the youth development blog So Our Youth Aspire since 2006. Dr. Ali-Coleman has been featured in the The Washington Post, USA Today, The Guardian, The Financial Times and more because of her work in arts and education. She has been interviewed by various broadcast media outlets, including NPR, CNN, Slate, and local affiliates of NBC, FOX and CBS.

She is editor of the Liberated Muse anthology book series and has creative work and scholary writings featured in several books.  Her plays have been staged, workshopped and read on dozens of stages.  Dr. Ali-Coleman is author of the book The Summoning of Black Joy (2023), the children's book Mariah's Maracas (2018) and co-editor of the book Homeschooling Black Children in the US: Theory, Practice and Popular Culture (2022). 

​For over 20 years, she has created and led educational programs at numerous institutions, and has taught Communication Studies, Professional Writing and Fine & Performing Arts at different colleges and universities since 2011, including Montgomery College, The University of Maryland, Community College of Baltimore County and Prince George's Community College.

She is a professional member of The Dramatists Guild, The Recording Academy and the Association of African American Museums.  She is a former board member at Montgomery Community Media (MCM) and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Hurston/Wright Foundation, an organization that has supported Black Writers since 1990.

Dr. Ali-Coleman holds a doctorate in education from Morgan State University; a Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Towson University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (African American Studies and Mass Media) with a minor in Writing from the University of Maryland Baltimore, County (UMBC). She earned a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace Certificate  from the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business in 2021.



2023 Prince George's County, MD Poet Laureate Installation


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HOMESCHOOLING BLACK CHILDREN IN THE US

 


In 2020,  Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman had just finished defending her doctoral dissertation on dual enrolled African American homeschooled students and their perceptions of preparedness for community college. The COVID-19 global pandemic and quarantine had just gone into effect. She was offered an opportunity to publish her dissertation into a book. She opted to edit an anthology of voices on Black homeschooling instead. During her own research study, she had seen the lack of Black voices in the research on Black homeschooling families. As a homeschooling mother and researcher, she wanted to expand the research literature and offer an opportunity for other homeschooling parents and researchers to share their experiences and research. And, that is what this book is. Released January 2022, it is on sale today.
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