Jessica Care Moore Hosts Moore Black Press Author NBA Washington Wizard Etan Thomas for Book Release Events in Washington, DC, Harlem, NY and Atlanta in March
Jessica Care Moore and Moore Black Press will host literary events celebrating the release of More Than An Athlete: Poems by Etan Thomas, the first work of poetry by the NBA Washington Wizard, in Washington, D.C., Harlem, N.Y. and Atlanta in March.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 3, 2005 -- Jessica Care Moore and Moore Black Press
will host literary events celebrating the release of More Than An Athlete: Poems
by Etan Thomas, the first work of poetry by the NBA Washington Wizard, on
Thursday, March 3 in Washington, D.C., Monday, March 7 in Harlem, N.Y. and
Tuesday, March 15th in Atlanta. Details below.
In January, Moore Black
Press announced the March 2005 release of More Than An Athlete: Poems by Etan
Thomas, a literary work and an accompanying music CD, produced by Kenyatta
Poole, a songwriter and producer, who's worked as a ghost writer hip-hop and
R&B artists with Sony Music for ten years.
The poetry of Thomas, the
aggressive center, power-forward for the Washington Wizards who recently taped a
segment for the new season of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, is a refreshing voice of
consciousness and insight from the courts of the National Basketball
Association. Without hesitation, Thomas’ poetry goes one-on-one with issues such
as racism, the war in Iraq, the death penalty, education, poverty and politics,
which has garnered him engagements with such organizations as the Congressional
Black Caucus and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The
wisdom-laced verses of the Syracuse University graduate reflect his early
exposure to books, theater, the Black Arts and Civil Rights Movements. Thomas
shares his perspective on historical figures and events, such as, the death of
Emmett Till, the Tulsa riots, and Malcolm X. But, he doesn’t stop there. His
passion for young people has inspired him to write certain poems that will reach
them directly. Using rhyme and pop culture terminology, he finds a way to engage
young people through poems like Sesame Street, Toys ‘R’ Us Kids, and The Know It
All. In the intro to his first published book, Thomas writes:
“I use
poetry as a channel to connect me to the youth of the world. I don't tell them
anything that their parents, teachers, preachers, etc haven't been telling them
probably all of their lives. The people who kids usually pay the most attention
to are athletes, entertainers, rappers, actors, etc. I don't care what Charles
Barkley says, I am a role model whether I want to be or not. I use my position
as an athlete as a platform.”
His appreciation for the written word and
social conditions of the world has been well received. Author and cultural
critic Kevin Powell states: “Etan Thomas is a gifted young wordsmith, one who
samples the rhythmic boom-shots of the Last Poets, Sonia Sanchez and Amiri
Baraka, as well as the oral graffiti of post-September 11 America, producing a
literary mixtape for the masses breastfed on hip-hop, basketball, reality TV,
media soundbytes, the war on Iraq, and the high tech gadget. “
“Moore
Black Press is honored to be working with such a raw talent like Etan. He has so
much to say. He’s not a gimmick, he’s a real person, a real poet. The book and
the music CD are a great accomplishment for all of us. I’m looking forward to
being a part of the history we are making,” says Publisher jessica Care
moore-Poole. “This is only the beginning.”
More Than
An Athlete: Poems by Etan Thomas
ISBN 0-9658308-9-6
Paperback with CD
$19.95; 96 pages, poetry
For Media Inquires Please Contact:
Moore Black
Press
404-209-9021
e-mail protected from spam bots
www.mooreblackpress.com
2005 Moore Black Press
Releases: The Subtle Art of Breathing by former Essence Managing Editor Asha
Bandele (May), Black Girls Love Hard by activist Ras Baraka (2nd Quarter), The
Poetry of Emcees (4th Quarter) and God Is Not An American by jessica Care
moore-Poole (4th Quarter)
Moore Black Press Presents NBA Washington
Wizard Etan Thomas' More Than an Athlete Book Tour
February 18th -
Denver
NBA All Star Weekend Official Book Release Party for Etan Thomas, More
Than an Athlete!
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater
119 Park Avenue West,
corner of 20th St.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m.
DJ MUSA spins Hip-Hop
and Classics. Co-sponsors: Roadside Profits Productions and Cafe Nuba. Etan
Thomas reading, surprise guests and dessert reception. Free
303-295-1759
February 24th - Chicago
Reading, Signing and
Reception
Spoken Word Cafe
4655 S. King Dr.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Reading by local poets and Etan Thomas. Signing and reception at
Afrocentrics Bookstore
773-373-2233
March 1 – Bowie,
Maryland
Appearance and Signing
Karibu Books, Bowie Town Center
15624
Emerald Way
Event begins at 7 p.m.
800-208-6144 or
karibubooks.com
March 3rd - Washington, D.C.
Moore Black Press
Official Washington DC More Than an Athlete Book Launch
Cada Vez, 1438 U St.
NW
Doors open at 6 p.m. Performances by Etan Thomas, Q-da poet and Olu
Butterfly. Hosted by jessica Care moore. Live Music and DJ. Co-sponsors: Full
Circle -Network of Professionals. Book signing follows performance. Free
202-667-0785
March 7th - Harlem, New York City
Appearance and
Signing
Nubian Heritage Bookstore
2037 5th Ave., corner of 126th
St.
Event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by jessica Care moore. Appearances
from Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets and more
212-427-8999
March
15th – Atlanta
Moore Black Press – Etan Thomas Literary Event
Hammonds
House Art Gallery
503 Peeples St., SW
Doors open at 6 p.m. Hosted by
jessica Care moore. Performances by Atlanta poets and Etan Thomas. Book signing
and reception. Free
404-752-8730
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb214038.htm