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THE BLACK INK REVIEW

Poetry in Black-N-White

“Ink becomes sacred when it carries the voice of a people.”

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ABOUT BLACK INK POETRY

Black voices singing into the night.

Mellow tones vibrating among the shimmering starlit sky.

I spread the net, capturing the words in on a web.

The Black Ink Review is a guardian, a home for the Griot.  The Black Ink Review is a haven for poetic expression. 

The Black Ink Review follows the footprints of the strong periodicals which spawn the Black Arts Enterprise of the 1960’s and 70’s, while strengthening the ranks of publications currently dedicated to the publication of “Black Ink”.


POETIC FORM OF THE MONTH

RULES OF THE SKINNY FORM

The "Skinny” is a short poem form that consists of eleven lines. The first and eleventh lines can be any length (although shorter lines are favored). The eleventh (last line) must be repeated using the same words from the first and opening line (however, they can be rearranged--and poems can be linked as series pieces). The second, sixth, and tenth lines must be identical. All the lines in this form, except for the first and last lines, must be comprised of ONLY one word. The Skinny was created by Truth Thomas in the Tony Medina Poetry Workshop at Howard University in 2005 (© 2026). Note: The plural form of Skinny is Skinnys, a deliberate grammatical deviation chosen by the form’s creator for aesthetic effect. Additionally, poetry Poetry written in this form should not be called “Skinny poems,” just as one would not refer to haiku as “haiku poems,” since the added “poems” is redundant.


“Black ink carries the rhythm of generations.”

AUTHOR DONVINNIE BOYKIN AND KATRINA SMITH TO HOST "REAL TALK, REAL CHANGE" 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Tennessee — Author Donvinnie Boykin is proud to announce the official launch of his highly anticipated book, Everything to Everyone, with a signature event titled "Real Talk, Real Change." The event, hosted by journalist Katrina Smith, will take place on April 17th 5pm-7pm at The Coffee Shop 1405 E Main Street Humboldt, Tn. 

press release

latest news

By Courtney Evans March 27, 2026
The boardroom of the Jackson-Madison County Library was filled with -jazz - Poetry- last Saturday as the Griot Collective of West Tennessee members presented poetry in the jazz format. Griot President Bill Marable facilitated the workshop.
By Courtney Evans March 27, 2026
By Courtney Evans March 26, 2026
A terrific day of poetry on the gorgeous campus of Carson-Newman University! Special thanks to Drs. Wes McMasters and the prolific Niles Reddick. And of course to the students and the community who participated in the workshop and attended the afternoon reading.
By Courtney Evans August 6, 2024
People are often fascinated by the journey of discovering individual identity. At some point in your life, you’ve probably taken a personality test, figured out your astrological sign, or taken an online quiz to figure out what flavor of Doritos you are. All of these try to tell us who we are and where we belong in the world.
By Courtney Evans August 6, 2024
People are often fascinated by the journey of discovering individual identity. At some point in your life, you’ve probably taken a personality test, figured out your astrological sign, or taken an online quiz to figure out what flavor of Doritos you are. All of these try to tell us who we are and where we belong in the world.

DIVERSE VOICES:

About us title

A collection of poems from poets representing 41 countries, Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace “brings together poets from across the world who share a common commitment to give voice to the realities of human rights and the enduring pursuit of peace,” as stated in the anthologies preface.

  “I am honored to have been selected as one of the voices to represent the United States in this amazing volume of poetry,” said Bill Marable, President of the Griot Collective of West Tennessee.  “In addition to the personal acknowledgment, this also serves as a feather in the cap of the Griot Collective.”

  Marable’s poem -Weights and Measures- appears on page 265. B Anthony Marable #thegriotcollectiveofwesttennessee

@Dr. Delita Thompson Johnson PoetrySoup


PRESS RELEASE

2024 INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF JACKSON, TN

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