Retired for 12 years, after nearly 38 years as a STEM production editor, trainer, and team leader for a local printer/publisher, I now have the time and energy to pursue my love of writing, music, and other arts. My writing is primarily in the form of essays, book and film reviews, and poems. I am also a musician---a vocalist who plays piano, organ, guitar, and flutes. My music can be found on this page, as well as on Facebook and YouTube. Some of my writing has been published in online and print magazines and books. Check out my site for more details.
At eventide I drove west, blinded by the setting sun, to a Candlelight Vigil for six Israeli souls liberated from cruel captivity by merciless death. In a beautiful courtyard built to be a sacred, yet open space for a Synagogue and its community, we gathered quietly, greeting each other warmly on this strangely … More Labor Day 2024 Vigil
Background of The Planned Frederick Douglass Train Tunnel I first became aware of plans for the Frederick Douglass Train Tunnel in 2017, in the early days of my membership in the Reservoir Hill community organization, IFO, Inc. Our primary goal was to build and sustain meaningful relationships between Beth Am Synagogue members and the Reservoir … More The Frederick Douglass Tunnel v. Sandtown
I am proud to present a new Baltimore author to the world – Eric Grandy, whose essay, They cut down the hoop [https://baltimoreblackwoman.com/2024/02/19/they-cut-down-the-hoop/] and short story, Black and White [https://baltimoreblackwoman.wordpress.com/2024/02/19/black-and-white/] are his first published works. Two weeks ago, I was introduced to Eric by our mutual friend (and primary co-founder of braciolejournal.com), Rafael Alvarez. After … More Black History Month 2024 Feature: “Black and White in Baltimore” – Essay and Short Story by Guest Author, Eric Grandy
Short Story By Eric Grandy The fourth of April 1968 didn’t dawn as a particularly ominous day. It was ordinary in every respect. My sister and I still had to go to school. My father still had to catch the bus to work. My mother was still asleep after working the 3pm to 11pm shift … More Black and White
An essay by Eric Grandy Racism is not new in this country. It is historical and based on skin color, or whatever religion you practice. The evidence is plentiful and deeply rooted. If you are Black, like I am, you are the most affected. Racism, over time, appears to lose its sting because it is … More They cut down the hoop
Yesterday, January 3rd, my poem, “As the Last Blue Moon Was Setting,” was published by Oddball Magazine. It is one of about a dozen “Dream” poems I’ve written, in which I managed to capture actual dreams I’ve awakened from. I’m grateful to Editor Chad Parenteau and Founder Jason Wright for selecting this poem. Poem by Jackie … More Announcement: First New Published Poem of 2024
Happy 9th Anniversary, BBW! On December 27, 2014, I posted my first essay on baltimoreblackwoman.com. It’s a miracle that this blog is still going—my dogged persistence has paid off! Sharing my observations and opinions about life in my hometown and beyond, via essays, memoirs, poetry, music videos, and photographs, has given me much more than … More BBW 9th Anniversary Nod + 2023 Wrap-up
As often happens, baltimoreblackwoman has been MIA for a number of months, dealing with summer doldrums and health issues. Unfortunately, those two reasons have become my norm in recent years. (Last year, I had dental surgery; this year, cataract surgery.) I’ve never really been a summer person, but with higher temperatures and humidity, and more … More Where Has baltimoreblackwoman Been in 2023?
Reflections: My Journey on Arunah, A Memoir by Rosearl Julian West Copy Editor: Christine McKeeFormat Editor: Jacquelyn O. Oldham © 2023 by Rosearl J. WestISBN 9798391773108 Release Date: April 19, 2023 Available for Purchase on Amazon.com [Order from this link, Reflections: My Journey on Arunah: West, Rosearl Julian, McKee, Christine, Oldham, Jacquelyn, Julian Jr., Emerson … More Publication Announcement
Like a toddler being tossed into the shallow end of the pool for his first swim, I was tossed into the shallow end of the poetry pool four years ago, when I joined my first online poetry group on Facebook. One group led to another, and before I knew it, I had joined a half-dozen … More My Take on “The Poetry Biz”
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