NATIONAL BLACK POETRY DAY is in honor of Jupiter Hammon, the first African American to publish poetry in the United States. He was born in Long Island, New York, October 17, 1711. In honor of Hammon's birth, we celebrate the contributions of all African Americans to the world of poetry during an engaging reception and tribute to the Valley’s Black poets as well as Amiri Baraka.Following the reception and presentation, attend the DUTCHMAN production written by poet/playwright LeRoi Jones (later known as Amiri Baraka). The 1960s drama is about a White woman and a young Black man on a New York subway train who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads them headlong into a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America. [If interested in attending as part of a group night, please email blackpoetry365(at)gmail.com and include your name and number of tickets you are requesting. You will then be notified of how to make payment.]Since 1985 this unofficial holiday (initially proposed in 1970 by Stanley Ransom, who edited the book "America's First Black Poet: Jupiter Hammon of Long Island") has been celebrated in various ways in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and libraries and in other community settings throughout the United States.#BlackPoetryDay