25th Annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference – Part I


On Saturday, March 5, 2022, I had the honor and pleasure of attending this annual writers’ conference for the first time. In fact, it was the first writers conference I’ve ever attended. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association (ESWA), the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference (BTO) brings together writers spanning the Delmarva region, at … More 25th Annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference – Part I

Black History Month 2022


This year marks the 8th year of Black History Month posts on this site. When I first began this annual feature, I introduced it with a post about the origins of this special month [https://baltimoreblackwoman.com/2015/02/02/the-origins-of-black-history-month/], as much for my edification as for you, the readers, who may question why this celebration even exists. But the … More Black History Month 2022

January 6 – A Day That SHOULD Live in Infamy


One year ago today, we witnessed the battering of our American Democracy by an Insurrection orchestrated by a defeated but defiant ex-President and abetted by his followers – both private citizens and members of Congress.  Incredibly, the horror of that day has been overshadowed by so many more insults and onslaughts against our country: the … More January 6 – A Day That SHOULD Live in Infamy

Catching Up with baltimoreblackwoman


Where I’ve Been Though I have not posted here since May 17th, I have been busy—writing, mostly; I’ve been posting new poems and promoting recent events on the companion Facebook page, Baltimoreblackwoman@jolivia1016. On Juneteenth 2021, I joined Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram, founder and host of Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio, as a co-host, along with … More Catching Up with baltimoreblackwoman

ANNOUNCEMENT: National Mental Health Awareness Month Poetry Reading NOT ALL SCARS CAN BE SEEN


I am excited to announce that I will be reading poems and discussing Mental Health awareness at this important event, on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 8:00pm EDT, along with the following poets: Christina Bejan, Brian Donnell James, Hilton Lewis, Bypo Phoenix, and Monique Pickens. As a person who has lived and thrived with both … More ANNOUNCEMENT: National Mental Health Awareness Month Poetry Reading NOT ALL SCARS CAN BE SEEN

There Is Only One Racism


April 14-15, 2021 The word, “racism,” wasn’t created untilthe dawn of the 20th century. The act of “racism” has been continuous Since 1619. “Modern racism” does not exist—There is only one racism. The concept remains the same. Only the weapons have changed,And even those, not so much. 17th to 19th centuries: Ship cargo holdsWhipsChains ArsonBeatingsDraggingFistsRopesRapeSticks … More There Is Only One Racism