In 2017, poet and writer Kondwani Fidel shook the internet with his moving essay about growing up in a decaying Baltimore. Published via Medium on August 17 of that year, the piece has since received over 6,000 likes and over 4,000 retweets.
“I shed so many tears while writing this,” Fidel shared at the time. “I’ve been slowly dying since I was 10 yrs old.”
On July 21, Fidel—author of Raw Wounds—published his third book, Hummingbirds in the Trenches. A collection of stories, Hummingbirds details the “issues that have been at the forefront of the black American consciousness for generations,” as author Eve L. Ewing writes, while sharing his powerful foresight into how the Black community can overcome the structural forces that shaped its present condition.
“He has come to understand that despite the personal blame that pundits would place on the supposed moral failings of black people, the structural forces of poverty, mental illness, and unethical institutions are bigger than any one person,” Ewing continued. “He has found a way to tell these stories that speaks directly to the hearts of young people across the country and the world, and for that we should all be grateful.”
The release of Hummingbirds was commemorated on Sunday (August 12) at Baltimore’s Arena Players Inc. The event featured spoken word and musical performances by Kondwani Fidel, as well as appearances by performing artists The Kooz, Akilah Divine, HLVII Kira, and more.
“God blessed each and every one of us with a passion, but it’s our mission to pursue that passion,” he tweeted hours ahead of the event. “I’m beyond grateful that I can use my gift to help other people throughout the world, especially in my city that I’m from and live in, Baltimore.”
Head here to learn more about the book and secure your copy.
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