Friday, January 20, 2012

What An Image Award Nomination Really Means... by James B. Golden





I still remember it clearly.

It was the very day that I sat in Mrs. Birkeland's AP English Course, deciding what my Senior Term Paper subject would be. I thought, "I'll choose a Black writer for sure. Maybe Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, or Ralph Ellison". Soon enough, however, I landed in the arms of Langston Hughes, my poetic father.

That term paper changed my life. Mrs. Birkeland taught me to fall in love with literature. I knew instantly after being inundated with the magic of his poems that I would write poetry. 

Fast forward 3 years, to a point  where I sat in Prof. Johnie Scott's Upper Division Writing class at Cal State University, Northridge. I remember thinking, "you're in here with the best writers at CSUN: Patrice, Alexandria, Garfield, Jasmin, Kalic, Anika and a slough of other gifted Black writers. So, don't mess it up". Prof. Scott's class taught me writing discipline--and I had a hell of a time learning it. 

When I completed my first book, Sweet Potato Pie Underneath The Sun's Broiler (an expansion of my Senior Poetry Thesis), it was my greatest accomplishment. I had finally done what I felt I had set out to do... offer my voice to the world. I thought I was so cool, because that book had my name on the front cover and my picture on the back. It was humbling to have Prof. Scott write my introduction to the world, and I took that orange book with me to every conference and appearance I could make.

I finished writing my second book, Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain, in 2009 amid a horrendous bout of depression. I was finishing my Master's Degree and completely stressed over the work I was doing with teenage boys in the juvenile justice system. The content of the book was way too scary for me to send out, at the time. While I had faith that the poems (Letter No. 5 To An Absent Mother, I Rise Up In You, Only 5) were the absolute best work that I'd ever done, I wasn't ready to answer questions about the content, my depression, or why I so flagrantly used the "F-word" in my poems.

My days seemed short and I fell alone as a writer... on my own. 

Afro Clouds saved my life. 

I woke up one morning in 2011 after getting back into the publishing world via articles, saying, "I'm going to get this book published. I don't know if I'll be the only one to read it, but it will exist. It will be here for good." I wanted this book to speak to teens and people of color around the world, letting them know they are (Beautiful) and that their progression is necessary. I wanted to write something that would inspire other artists, kids, and adults to live their best lives whether through tackling their own mental health issues, supporting victims of sexual violence, standing up for abandoned kids, or simply loving themselves to the fullest.

And the rest is history:

Artist In Residence at the National Steinbeck Center.
A National Book Tour playing dates all over California, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Washington D.C., New York and Georgia.
Interviews, Collaborations, Hosting Events.
An ACNR spin-off play.
High School Students who have read SPPUSB and ACNR as part of required reading.

Having said all of that, I feel blessed and honored to receive an official nomination for the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards in the category of Outstanding Literature - Poetry. 

What this means, and it took me a while to grasp, is that I've entered a new echelon in writing, especially when my book was one of 1,300 submissions in the running for a nod. 

I share this moment with 4 other poets nominated with me, the amazing Nikky Finney, legendary poet Haki Madhubuti, actor Darrin Henson, and Jacqueline Jones Lamon.

It also means that I've received a nomination in the same category which has seen Nikki Giovanni (my favorite living poet) win four years in a row. It's also been home to Maya Angelou, Rita Dove, Alice Walker, Sonia Sanchez, June Jordan, Amiri Baraka, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Major Jackson (just to name a few)., Major

The Image Award Nod means that a new generation of poets and writers is well on their way to sitting at the table with our heroes. I stand on the shoulders of every single writer who has ever left their mark on American writing, from H.B. Stowe to Melvin Tolson, Richard Bruce Nugent to Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin to Toni Morrison, John Steinbeck to Sylvia Plath. I stand on the shoulders of every nameless-faceless man and woman of color who died and fought so that I would have the privilege to sit in an unsegregated classroom, where I learned how to write.

What the NAACP Image Award Nomination really means... is that a young Black boy from Salinas, CA can follow his dreams, by the grace of God, into divine order. 

God has truly blessed this book and my life because of it.

So, I share this award with all of my instructors: Corliss Kelly, Margie Smilowitz, Mary Whitton, Mrs. Martinelli (NSHS), Elizabeth Birkeland, Johnie Scott (CSUN), Dorothy Barresi (CSUN), Rosentene Purnell (CSUN)... all of my mentors over the years Dr. Karin Stanford, Pastor Al Davis, Anna Caballero, Josephine Morris, Dr. David Horne, Dr. William Watkins... Joan Archer, Brandy Reid, Missy Chukhadarian, the FF Team, and everyone at Rancho San Antonio... everyone back home in Salinas....my courageous family, comrades and friends (way to many to name)... and the most amazing parents anyone could ever ask for.

This Image Award nod is a full circle moment for me, coming up under Valerie and James W. Golden, two community activists who served as Presidents of the Salinas Chapter NAACP. They have been my greatest supporters and inspiration over the years.



Above all, I am humbled to receive the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Literature - Poetry---and promise to continue to use my writing as a tool for social, political and personal evolution. 

I still remember the day that I sat in the front row of Mrs. Birkeland's class... the day I opened up my poetic father...when Langston turned me out!...

He's been watching over me, all of these years, with a critical eye and moving spirit. 

Thanks Everyone.

See you at the awards! 
Watch February 17, 8PM on NBC.

Graciously Yours,

James B. Golden
author.poet.journalist


Monday, January 16, 2012

Happy MLK Day


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank You 

We will continue to be drum majors for justice.

Check out Nina Simone's tribute to Dr. King:

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Announcing The Goldie Awards 2011!



Announcing The Goldie Awards 2011!!!!!

Four years ago, The Golden Machine created The Goldie Awards... and they're still here.


ज्ब्ग The GOLDIE Awards ज्ब्ग



The Goldie Awards will highlight the year's most intriguing writers, musicians, actors, films, and a few other surprises. Look out for nominees listed in all categories coming this week.


Award Categories:

Literature
Most Informative Book
Most Interesting Book/Novel
Poetry Book of the Year

Music
Best New Artist
Record of the Year
Album of the Year
Male Artist of the Year
Female Artist of the Year
R&B Song of the Year
Hip Hop Song of the Year
Best Gospel
Biggest Comeback
Best Music Video
Hot Mess of the Year
Most Creative

Film/Television
Best Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Act-Up Movie of the Year
Best TV Show
Worst TV Show

Journalism
Pop Culture Article of the Year
Best Political Article
Best Op-Ed

Special Categories
Act-Up Public Move of the Year
Well Wishes for 2012


Please send us your favorites in these categories for the year!

Look for the Goldies to premier in December. In the meantime, check out Golden's Favorite Things List this week... maybe some of the favorites will end up winning the coveted Goldie.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Tour Visits Oakland


We had a wonderful reading in Oakland, CA this past weekend at Oakollective in Downtown.


The guests were treated to an exclusive reading of only poems from Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain. Highlights of the evening were "Don't Touch My Hair", "I Rise Up In You", and "Letter No.5 To An Absent Mother".


A special thanks to Tiffany Golden for an amazing night (complete with refreshments).


And to Rachel and Penelope, the owners of Oakollective--thanks a million.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Tour Visits San Diego


We just returned from a wonderful intimate reading and book signing in San Diego yesterday. The group received a special reading of poems not typically read on the tour including "The Night You Had Sex With My Journal", "An Ode To Condoms", and "Seashores Look Down On Me".


A big thanks to Marissa for putting the event together at Personal Touch. A different atmosphere, and very entertaining to read in.


And a very special thanks to Ms. Gwen, the owner, for hosting the event.

Thank you San Diego, see you next year!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Tour Visits The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas


James B. Golden's Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Tour hit Salinas, CA for a reading and book signing at the world renowned National Steinbeck Center on Friday, December 02, 2011.

Thank you to the NSC, the City of Salinas, and the Salinas Valley Fish House for a wonderful event and reception.

A special thanks to hosts Nina, Valerie and Crystal.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain Official Book Trailer Pt. 1



A very special thanks to the director/producer Aureal Wilson, and camera expert/editor Charles Handy. You both did a remarkable thing with this one.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Tour Visits North Salinas High School

 


We went back to high school today.

James B. Golden's Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Tour hit North Salinas High School in Salinas, CA this morning, speaking to hundreds of students between three periods.

It received a wonderful reception from teenage students who absolutely loved "Don't Touch My Hair" and "I Am The Authentic Man".


A huge thanks to Elizabeth Birkeland and everyone in the Salinas Union High School District.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain For An NAACP Image Award Nomination





Announcement:

My newest book, Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain is under consideration for an NAACP Image Award Nomination! YAY!



As a part of the nomination process, I would like to raise awareness of the book and awards via all social networking sites. 

When you get a chance, please post a note on Tumblr, Linkdin, and the official Facebook page for the NAACP Image Awards saying:

"I support James B. Golden's Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain for Outstanding Lit. at the Naacp Image Awards".

and via Twitter:

"I support James B. Golden's Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain for Outstanding Lit. at the Naacp #ImageAwards @naacp @naacpimageawards."


Let's raise awareness about the NAACP, The Image Awards, and my baby, Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain. 


James