JP Howard

JP Howard's essay discusses her circuitous path from public interest lawyer to poet, writer, and educator, with particular emphasis on her work as an outspoken black queer poet, literary activist, and curator of a New York-based community literary organization. She pays homage to black lesbian ancestor poet activists Pat Parker and Audre Lorde, who greatly influenced Howard's literary path. She also shares the significance of contemporary black women poets and friends who have motivated and continue to inspire her. Howard talks about growing up in Sugar Hill, Harlem and how she was energized learning about the rich literary history of Harlem when growing up. We learn about the author's unique and inspiring path from successful public interest lawyer to dynamic poet and literary community builder through her Women Writers in Bloom Poetry Salon. Ultimately, Howard shows us there is no one “right” path to becoming a writer.

Keywords: black ; community ; curator ; lawyer ; lesbian ; LGBTQ ; literary ancestor ; poet ; queer ; woman ; workshop facilitator ; writer