Red Emma’s

Hosted by Slam Poetry Champion and Charm City Slam founder Kenneth Something, the event will feature performances by the Baltimore City Youth Poetry Team, music from Baltimore-based DJ Afr0delic, a book reading from the author, and a conversation between the author and bookfluencer and librarian Hawa Jalloh. The evening will conclude with a signing with books sold by local bookstore Red Emma’s.

In conjunction with the event, the publisher of the novel, Abrams Books, will match the first 100 preordered books from Red Emma’s and donate them to local arts & activism organization Dewmore Baltimore to be distributed to Baltimore City and County poetry clubs.

About the book: Seventeen-year-old poet Truth Bangura begins senior year unsure of life after graduation, but when she learns she's pregnant by her ex-boyfriend, she makes one decision she is sure about—an abortion. When Truth performs a poem about her decision and her emotionally turbulent home life, the performance is recorded and posted online for everyone to see—including her mother. The novel in verse explores themes of agency and productive choice in a post Roe v. Wade society.

Hannah V. Sawyerr: Hannah V. Sawyerr was recognized as the Youth Poet Laureate of Baltimore in 2016. Her debut novel in verse All the Fighting Parts was a finalist for the William C. Morris Debut Award, a Walter Dean Myers Award Honoree, and a Kirkus Best Book of the Year. Her spoken word has been featured on the BBC’s World Have Your Say program as well as the National Education Association’s “Do You Hear Us?” campaign. Her written word has been included in Essence, xoNecole, and gal-dem. Sawyerr holds a BA in English from Morgan State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. Truth Is is her sophomore novel.

Kenneth Something: Kenneth Something is a Black nonbinary, spoken word artist, playwright, organizer and educator. However he is best described as an artivist. Kenneth is a 5x national poetry slam champion. On and off the stage he works at the intersection of art and social Justice. Kenneth is the former executive director of the Pride Center of Maryland and former executive director of DewMore Baltimore. Currently Kenneth Something is the Director of Programming for the Black Arts District and the Producer of Charm City Slam.

Hawa Jalloh: Hawa Jalloh is a dedicated librarian in Prince George’s County where she’s passionate about fostering a love for reading. Beyond her work in libraries, she’s a vibrant presence on Bookstagram, where she shines a spotlight on Black-authored books. Follow her journey and discover her favorite reads on Instagram at @hawa.reads.