Kerry Brackett

Spoken Word Artist

Bessemer, AL
Alabama US
Email: 
kerrybpoetry@gmail.com
Website: 
www.kerrybpoetry.cm
Twitter/X: 
@kerrybpoetry

Author's Bio

Kerry Brackett earned his MA in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, where he was inducted into the Sigma Tau International English Honors Society. His literary talents have been recognized with several awards, including the Freedom Poet of the Year at the National Poetry Awards in 2015 and the Gifted Artist Neo-Soul and Poetry Award in 2016.

Brackett's work is featured in a wide array of journals and anthologies, such as The Black & Latinx Poetry Project, The Griot, Simply Elevate Magazine, Spoken Vizions Magazine, and Inner Child Press’s I Want My Poetry To... Anthology. His poetic journey began with the self-published debut chapbook Soul Appetizer in 2012, followed by An Open Table in 2013, and Surviving Myself in 2020 through Guerrilla Ignition Publishing. In 2024, he ventured into novel writing with the publication of his first novel, Shadows at Sundown.

In addition to his books, Brackett has released several spoken word albums, including Kadence of a Poetic Gentleman, which earned the Akademia Music Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2016. He resides in Bessemer, Alabama, and is a dedicated faculty member in the Division of Humanities at Miles College in Fairfield, AL. He recently completed his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Liberty University.

Publications & Prizes

Performances:
Bards & Brews: Poetic Justice feature (2020)
,
DreamspireTV's The Author's Lounge interview (2020)
,
It's a Vibe Poetry Show at the Vault Birmingham (2020)
,
Poet's Playground Open Mic featured performance (2020)
,
The Connect Open Mic Night performance (2020)
,
Poetry Kitchen feature (2019)
,
2016 National Poetry Awards (2016)
,
Lyrics for Literacy (2016)
,
Art N Soul performance (2015)
,
Lyrically Spoken (2014)
,
Mic Check Reloaded (2014)
,
Gallery 410 (2013)
Prizes won: 

African American Creative Community Series Award "Words of Wisdom Poet Influencer Award" (2021) Gifted Artists Neo-Soul and Poetry Awards AL State Winner “Rising Star” (2016),National Poetry Award for “Best Performance Group” with B.Royalty (2016), Akademia Music Awards “Best Spoken Word Album” (2016), Black Poetry Café 30k Poetry Challenge Winner (2014), National Poetry Award for “Best Performance Group” with B.Royalty (2015), National Poetry Award for “Freedom Poet of the Year” (2014)

Watch

Listen

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Amiri Baraka, Langston Hughes, Joshua Bennett, Walter Mosley, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Kalamu ya Salaam, Tom Dent, etc.
What I'm reading now: 
The Magic of Juju: An Appreciation of the Black Arts Movement by Kalamu ya Salaam, Magic City Gospel by Ashley M. Jones

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
African American, Appalachian, BIPOC, Black
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, Teenagers, Veterans
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Birmingham, AL
Alabama
Raised in: 
Birmingham, AL
Alabama
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Oct 30, 2024