I am a poet born and raised in Philadelphia. I compose and perform praise poems on the Kora, a beautiful 21-string West African harp/lute. For years I have toured the United States, performing at festivals, community centers, prisons and universities, but also listening to the people and the land of my country. My travels have brought me to a practice of what in West Africa is called “Djelia,” which combines poetry, music and voice into one sound: Praise, especially the praise that comes from sacrifice. 

In addition to the performances, I have made several albums, including Love Life, El Shabazz, and Queen of Carolina. Some of my poems have been published in anthologies and magazines, and I served as the Bourne Poetry Chair at Georgia Tech, and as Poet in Residence at The New School for Social Research. Mainly though,it is the adventure of turning poems into trusty companions that inspires me these days.