BC wanted: Collection of Poetry by Black/African American authors

[emantler]

Hi folks,
I am new around these parts and just finished my first recording. I recorded "An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries" by Jupiter Hammon, which was actually the first publication by a Black American, published in 1761. I was going to submit this to the August short poetry collection, but after looking at the LV catalog, I think it would be a great idea to get a collection of Black American poetry going. I would love to find and record pieces for this collection and welcome anyone else who wants to submit. Any BC willing to take this project on?


As an aside, I was not able to find the piece on Gutenberg, but found it here. It does not list the publication date on the page with the poem, but does in the author bio page. It says "This poem is in the public domain," at the end of the piece as well.
https://poets.org/poem/evening-thought-salvation-christ-penitential-cries

[pschempf]

I thought Phillis Wheatly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillis_Wheatley) was the first published African-American poet, but Jupiter Hammon has her beat by 12 years. Someone needs to correct Wikipedia.

[KevinS]

I thought Phillis Wheatly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillis_Wheatley) was the first published African-American poet, but Jupiter Hammon has her beat by 12 years. Someone needs to correct Wikipedia.

The distinction may be that Ms. Wheatley had published a complete book of poetry.

[emantler]

I thought Phillis Wheatly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillis_Wheatley) was the first published African-American poet, but Jupiter Hammon has her beat by 12 years. Someone needs to correct Wikipedia.

Jupiter Hammon also took a long break between his first publication and his next, which I believe was actually addressed to/commenting on Phillis Wheatley.