Liberation is Lit Podcast

Whole Enough to Enjoy (with Jennifer Bartell Boykin)

Tayler Simon Season 2 Episode 5

In this episode, we speak with Jennifer Bartell Boykin, the City of Columbia Poet Laureate. Jennifer discusses her work as a writer, focusing on her personal experiences growing up as a Black woman in the rural South and capturing the stories of her ancestors. She highlights her role as Poet Laureate, her involvement in advocating for students' rights, particularly through the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization (DAYLO), and the challenges faced with book bans and censorship. The episode provides insight into Jennifer’s literary influences and current reads, while emphasizing the importance of community engagement and starting small in activism.



00:00 Introduction to the Liberation Slip Podcast

00:36 Meet Jennifer Bartell Boykin: Columbia's Poet Laureate

03:27 Balancing Roles: Poet Laureate, Teacher, and Advocate

04:27 The Power of Rest and Commissioned Poems

07:05 Youth Engagement and Creative Writing

14:23 DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization

20:18 Book Recommendations and Personal Reads

26:59 Self-Care and Community Impact

31:07 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

Jennifer’s Books

Traveling Mercy

Only Believe

Books Mentioned in this Episode

Spectral Evidence by Gregory Pardlo

Rain Rising by Courtne Comrie

Rain Remembers by Courtne Comrie

How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice, and Skill edited by Jericho Brown

Cuckoo’s Flight by Wendy Orr

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper 

Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper 

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

Where to Find Jennifer

JenniferBartellpoet.com

https://www.instagram.com/columbiapoet/

https://www.facebook.com/columbiapoet

https://www.instagram.com/jennibb55/

Thank you for being part of the Liberation is Lit podcast! If you have stories to share, want to suggest topics, or just want to connect, find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @liberationislit or visit our website at liberationislit.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a review! Remember, your voice matters, and together, through the lens of stories, we're making a difference in the world.