BLK WRDS: A call to listen and celebrate
WRITTEN BY FELICIA PENZA
How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
I remember hearing that lyric, from Lauryn Hill’s album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. It still sticks with me to this day. I look for deeper meaning and symbolism with all of my senses. What piece of a song, poem, monologue, or passage of literature stays with you?
In every culture, words have a way of stirring emotions, shaping minds, and bringing forth change. But there’s something transformative about the words of Black creators. Artists, writers, poets, and storytellers—what they produce can reflect resilience, joy, struggle, hope. Black words resonate beyond immediate context, and influence people from all walks of life with the resounding ability to connect to all who listen and read them.
Area writers gather at BLK WRDS, a creative workshop celebrating Black voices.
The Souls of Black Folk - in Black and White
From the pages of slave narratives to the jazz-infused lyrics of modern-day musicians, Black words have always been a force of expression and liberation. Writers like Countee Cullen, Maya Angelou, and Gwendolyn Brooks used their words to tell stories that not only captured the Black experience but spoke to universal themes of love, loss, identity, and perseverance. Their words transcend time and space, continuing to impact readers today, regardless of their background.
But Black words don’t just live on the page—they live in the streets, in the music, in the conversations between generations. Hip-hop, spoken word poetry, and gospel music are just a few examples of how Black voices continue to influence the broader cultural landscape. The words of Kendrick Lamar, Gil Scott Heron, and Erykah Badu all carry weight that can inspire, challenge, and change the course of history.
Words That Bridge Divides
While Black words often begin with a personal or cultural narrative, their impact reaches far beyond those origins. They hold a mirror to society, forcing everyone — whether they share the same background or not — to confront uncomfortable truths, explore new perspectives, and think critically about the world around them. Black voices have the power to break down barriers, offering a view into experiences that may otherwise be overlooked or misconstrued.
BLK WRDS: A Creative Writing Workshop Celebrating Black Voices
I want those who read Black words to marvel at its ability to transcend. They speak to the human experience in a way that resonates with everyone. They remind us that though our individual stories may differ, we are all connected by our shared humanity. That’s why I created BLK WRDS, a creative writing workshop celebrating Black voices.
We hosted our first event in February, a collaboration with Grassrootz Bookstore. Free and in-person, the interactive workshop was designed to spark attendee’s imaginations through prompts inspired by Black writers, poets, and songwriters. We welcomed writers of all skill levels: experienced authors and those just starting out. The event provided a guided space to create, connect, and celebrate Black literary and musical artistry.
If you join a future BLK WRDS event (yes, we’re planning to hold it again, future dates coming.) here’s what to expect. You’ll:
Use curated prompts from Black authors, poets, and lyricists to inspire your writing.
Create in a supportive space alongside fellow creatives.
Browse a library of works by Black writers and musicians for additional inspiration.
Share your work aloud (if you feel comfortable) or read your favorite song lyrics, poem, or passage as a tribute to Black voices.
A Call to Listen
In order to truly appreciate the power of Black words, we must listen—really listen. Especially as we encounter different ideas in what seems to be an ever-changing climate. We need to listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts and minds. As we engage with these words, whether through books, music, or spoken word, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of the world around us. And in doing so, we make ourselves better people, more empathetic and more aware of the struggles and triumphs of those whose experiences may be different from our own.
Black words shape all of us—not just those within the Black community, but EVERYONE. They have the power to bring about change, plant the seed of empathy, and inspire generations to come. Let us continue to celebrate and elevate the voices that have shaped our past and will continue to shape our future.
ABOUT FELICIA PENZA
A TRIPLE-THREAT — WRITER, SINGER, PAINTER — FELICIA PENZA IS THE BRILLIANT CREATIVE MIND BEHIND POP’S LOGO AND BRAND PRESENCE. SHE WRITES CREATIVE NON-FICTION AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A COLLECTION OF STORIES ABOUT LIFE RAISING TWIN 13-YEAR-OLDS. AN AWARD-WINNING DESIGNER, FELICIA’S ARTWORK CAN BE FOUND THROUGHOUT PHOENIX. CONNECT WITH HER @BUSYFEE.