IHRAM Writivism laureate Mbizo Chirasha in a Special Conversation with Haitian Literary Guru Jerrice J. Baptiste

MC: Who is Jerrice J. Baptiste?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: I am a female poet born in Haiti. I’ve taught different ages with my seven multicultural children’s books and also my full-length poetry book Wintry Mix. As an author, I have presented my books in hundreds of public & private schools, libraries, various venues since 2010. My latest book titled Coral in The Diaspora is published by Abode Press (August 2024). I am also the founder of Authentic Poetry workshops in The Hudson Valley, NY for the past 20 years.

MC: How many books have you been writing?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: I have written seven children’s books & two adult poetry books Wintry Mix and Coral in the Diaspora.

MC: What are your real writing, poetry, artistic themes?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: My poetry and artistic themes are focusing on multiculturalism, traditions, rituals, community life and ancestry, Black Lives Matter, justice, human rights, spirituality.

MC: Have you ever written anything on human rights and gender rights?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: Yes, I have written on human rights. My poems about human rights have been published in Eco Theo Collective Magazine, Rigorous, About Place Journal: Geographies of Justice, The Yale Review, Mantis, The New Verse News and numerous others. The following three poems are examples of my writing about human rights.

Many Shades

His presence is many shades
almond, maple, brown eggshell, cacao
If only we could name
all of his colors from head to toe.
Charcoal hair, nutmeg forehead
bridge of nose like stem 
of Shitake mushroom
palms in prayer, fingers gather
like octopus closing tentacles.

He can’t rest in woods

must keep moving.
Sulphur brown ankles
on silver rocks, now in river water.
Chased by dogs, tracking nigger scent. 

Great-Great-Great-grandfather escaped.
I tell my brother If you’re stopped by the police  
press record then
keep your hands on the wheel.

If they give you conflicting orders. 
Pray to god.  

(published in Eco Theo Collective: Spring 2021)

It’s Night Again

A silk summer blanket pulled over
my agitated mind & body.
I toss & turn then curl into a ball. 

I bring Nina Simone into my cocoon.
Mississippi made her lose sleep.
Singing for justice at half hour 
past midnight.   I get up
sit by the windowsill watch the shifting moon

Worried I will never sleep again.   Only six hours
to daylight. Thinking about nonexistent 
crimes excusing brutality of dark skin.  
Goddamn. (published in Mantis – Issue 19)

MC: Which country do you come from? Do you believe in arts, culture and book culture?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Yes, I absolutely believe in arts, culture and book culture.

MC: How is the publishing and book industry respected in your country?

Jerrice J. Baptiste: Each year, an international book event called Livres en Folie is organized in Haiti for all Haitian writers/authors & poets to display, present and sell and sign their books for the public. It is a well-attended event that provides great exposure and
respect for all writers.

MC: How many awards have you won, pertaining to the arts, cultural and creative industry?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: I’m a Pushcart Prize nominee for 2024 and also a Best of The Net nominee by Blue Stem in Eastern Illinois University for 2022. I’ve been poet-in Residence in Prattsville, NY for the past three years. I’ve also been a returning teaching artist/poet at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. A recipient of Poetry Grants from Poets & Writers in 2024, a CREATE Grant for poetry performance & teaching artist in Prattsville, NY in 2022, and a recipient of a residency for the Women’s Leadership Program at The Omega Institute in 2019.

MC: How are artists defended in your country?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: Artists own the rights to their work. They are not censored in any way. They can write on any and all subjects/topics.

MC: Where do you draw your inspiration?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: My inspiration comes from the natural world, different cultures, and including subjects that are important to all beings like justice, freedom, equality. I draw inspiration from spirituality as well.

MC: Who is your best African Writer?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: My favorite African-American writer & activist is James Baldwin. I also love Haitian Poets & authors: Lenelle Moïse and Margaret Papillon.

MC: What’s your parting shot to African women writers, poets and artists?
Jerrice J. Baptiste: As artists, poets & writers we need to support each other’s work and be the generation that inspires and encourages the next generation to write & create. We need to expand our definition of art, allow the muse to exist & flow through us and embrace what we may not quite yet understand to be art! The support we provide for underrepresented writers like women of color will determine how much we can thrive in an industry that is not equalized in race & gender.

Jerrice J. Baptiste has authored nine books. She has been the featured poet on Planet Poet: Words in Space in Roxbury, NY, The Woodstock Poetry Society, and The International Women’s Writing Guild.  Her poetry has been published and forthcoming in Urthona: Buddhism & Art, Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & The Arts, The Dewdrop, Lolwe, Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Poetica Review, The Minetta Review, The Banyan Review, Kosmos Journal, The Caribbean Writer, Big Wing Review, Chronogram & The Poetry Distillery and hundreds of others. Jerrice enjoys doing humanitarian work for others in Haiti. Her poetry and collaborative songwriting are featured on the Grammy award nominated album, Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti.