Enzo Silon Surin

Poet

Boston, MA
Massachusetts US
Twitter/X: 

Author's Bio

Enzo Silon Surin is an award-winning Haitian-born poet, author, educator, speaker, publisher, and social advocate. He has taught, performed, and lectured at various schools, universities, and festivals on topics such as social justice, the immigrant experience, and mental health awareness. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and his dedication to affecting social change through creative and critical writing has earned him recognition for his artistry and literary citizenship. His advocacy efforts center on creating a more socially just society, addressing issues such as socio-economic inequities and racial identity and inclusion.

As the author of "American Scapegoat (Black Lawrence Press, 2023) and When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (2020), Surin has received acclaim, including winning the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Awards for Poetry. He also co-edited "Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience" and his work has been featured in numerous publications and anthologies, including those by the Poetry Foundation and the Academy of American Poets. He has curated and moderated panel discussions on topics such as race, mental health, and Black poetics, and his work has been taught in public schools and universities.

Surin's impact extends beyond literature into the realm of music and theater, with commissioned librettos for the Boston Opera Collaborative and original operatic works. As an educator, he has over a decade of experience and has been recognized for his commitment to inclusive excellence and professional leadership. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the power of writing as activism and liberation, and encourages students to discover the power of using one's voice and celebrating one’s identity. He is currently a Visiting Instructor at MassArt and serves as Founding Editor & Publisher at Central Square Press and Founder/Executive Director at the Faraday Publishing Company, Inc., a nonprofit literary services and social advocacy organization.

Publications & Prizes

Anthologies:
Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience (Cherry Castle Publishing, 2022)
,
Black Immigrants in the United States: Essays on the Politics of Race, Language and Voice (Peter Lang Publishing, 2020)
,
The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop (Haymarket Books, 2015)
Books:
American Scapegoat (Black Lawrence Press, 2023)
,
When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (Black Lawrence Press, 2020)
Chapbooks:
A Letter of Resignation: An American Libretto (Central Square Press, 2017)
,
Higher Ground (Finishing Line Press, 2006)
Journals: ,
Crab Orchard Review
,
jubilat
, , ,
Origins
,
Poetry Magazine
,
Reverie: Midwest African American Literature
, ,
Spoon River Poetry Review
,
sx salon
,
The Caribbean Writer
,
Tidal Basin Review
,
Prizes won: 
  • 21 Annual Massachusetts Book Awards for Poetry
  • Artist-in-Residence Denis Diderot [A-i-R] Grant (Château d'Orquevaux Artist Residency)
  • Brother Thomas Fellowship (The Boston Foundation)
  • PEN New England Discovery Award (Celebrated New Voice in Poetry)
  • Boston Mayor's Poetry and Prose Competition
  • David L. Osgood Poetry Prize

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
African American, Black, Caribbean, Caribbean American, Haitian American
Prefers to work with: 
Any
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Haiti
Raised in: 
Queens, NY
New York
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Apr 14, 2024