In this episode, we sit down with Zenobia Anderson, celebrated poet and 2025 African Diaspora Award winner, to explore her remarkable path from dentistry to literary acclaim. Zenobia shares insights on how her heritage, family legacy, and personal experiences shape her work, and discusses the powerful intersection of excellence and artistry. She also reads her poem “Strength of My Ghosts” from her collection Mosaics of The Mother, which won the 2025 African Diaspora Award. You don’t want to miss this engaging and inspiring conversation.

Connect with Zenobia Anderson:

* Website: https://zenobiapoetry.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenobiapoetry26/

Song Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiDnuRylHMU

This project is made possible in part with funds from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts Aid to Localities program.

Join us for an conversation with Dawn Leas, author of the forthcoming book, The Sin of Being Okay (Kinsman Avenue Publishing, 2025). Dawn, a writing coach, teaching artist, and assistant director of the Wilkes University Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing program, shares her journey as a writer, her connection to Kinsman Avenue Publishing in uplifting underrepresented voices, and what it means to be “okay” even when it feels like you are not supposed to be.

Preorder The Sin of Being Okay here: [https://www.kinsmanquarterly.org/product-page/the-sin-of-being-okay-by-dawn-leas]

Kinsman Avenue Publishing: https://www.kinsmanquarterly.org/publishing

Kinsman Quarterly: https://www.kinsmanquarterly.org/

Join us as we talk with Russell Nichols, a fiction writer, poet, and playwright, about his journey of creativity, writing, and escaping the system. From vagabonding around the world with his wife to confronting systemic injustice through his work, Russell shares insights into his creative process, inspirations, and a core question: "How do you break free from a system designed to break you?" Discover how his travels have shaped his writing, what was behind his play 'America, the Game,' and his thoughts on current events. We'll also delve into his literary influences, and his work that is on the horizon.

Join us for episode 4 of KQ on the Avenue, where we chat with Jack Wolflink, a biracial Filipine writer and editor, and diving deep into art, protest, and and Asian representation in the arts. From fueling creativity with irritation, to insights on protest tactics, Jack brings a powerful perspective. You won't want to miss this engaging and thought-provoking conversation!

Dive into the world of Baltimore poet and writer E. Doyle-Gillespie in this episode of KQ on the Avenue! We explore his unique journey as a teacher, former police officer, and wordsmith, and how his global travels and passion for history and folklore fuel his powerful poetry. Discover the intimate stories behind his work and get an exclusive glimpse into his creative process. Join us as we discuss forgetfulness, empathy, and the impact of travel on art in today's society.

Join us for the second episode of ‘KQ on the Avenue,’ where we chat with the gifted Noelle Barnes. In this episode we will explore how fiction can combat apathy and delve into the intricate layers of Noelle’s award-winning story, ‘Burning or a Bullet,’ which won the 2024 Kinsman Quarterly African Diaspora Award. Get ready for a heartfelt, funny, and inspiring discussion.

Welcome to KQ on the Avenue! Join us for a thought-provoking episode where we'll explore the dynamic relationship between art and advocacy, spotlighting the powerful impact of Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance on our cultural landscape.

Welcome to KQ on the Avenue! Join us for a thought-provoking episode where we'll explore the dynamic relationship between art and advocacy, spotlighting the powerful impact of Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance on our cultural landscape.