Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora
@obsidianlit.bsky.social
Celebrating 50 years, Obsidian cultivates, through publication and critical inquiry, Black imagination, innovation, and excellence—supporting Black, African, and African Diaspora creatives globally. https://linktr.ee/obsidianliteratureandarts
📣 Together we triumph!
Help Obsidian uplift Black creatives, Black literature & Black art. 🔥
On this global day of giving, your donation makes it possible for Obsidian to:
📍 produce much needed special issues such as the upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK: The Black Artist as Moral Witness issue
Help Obsidian uplift Black creatives, Black literature & Black art. 🔥
On this global day of giving, your donation makes it possible for Obsidian to:
📍 produce much needed special issues such as the upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK: The Black Artist as Moral Witness issue
December 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
📣 Together we triumph!
Help Obsidian uplift Black creatives, Black literature & Black art. 🔥
On this global day of giving, your donation makes it possible for Obsidian to:
📍 produce much needed special issues such as the upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK: The Black Artist as Moral Witness issue
Help Obsidian uplift Black creatives, Black literature & Black art. 🔥
On this global day of giving, your donation makes it possible for Obsidian to:
📍 produce much needed special issues such as the upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK: The Black Artist as Moral Witness issue
Obsidian at 50 with JJJJJerome Ellis TONIGHT!
📣 Join us Tuesday, Sept 30th, in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer, and performer JJJJJerome Ellis for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation, and book signing. This event is free and open to the public.
📣 Join us Tuesday, Sept 30th, in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer, and performer JJJJJerome Ellis for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation, and book signing. This event is free and open to the public.
September 30, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Obsidian at 50 with JJJJJerome Ellis TONIGHT!
📣 Join us Tuesday, Sept 30th, in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer, and performer JJJJJerome Ellis for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation, and book signing. This event is free and open to the public.
📣 Join us Tuesday, Sept 30th, in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer, and performer JJJJJerome Ellis for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation, and book signing. This event is free and open to the public.
"The world would have no gravity. Black folks would be weighed down by absolutely nothing. We all would be free to think, dream, create, love & exist as our healthiest, truest selves. We’d be connected to one another on both a spiritual & emotional level. There would be true community."
September 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
"The world would have no gravity. Black folks would be weighed down by absolutely nothing. We all would be free to think, dream, create, love & exist as our healthiest, truest selves. We’d be connected to one another on both a spiritual & emotional level. There would be true community."
Obsidian at 50! Sept 30th: An in-person event with JJJJJEROME ELLIS
📣 Join us in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer & performer JJJJJerome Ellis to Normal, IL, for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation & book signing. This event is free & open to the public.
📣 Join us in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer & performer JJJJJerome Ellis to Normal, IL, for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation & book signing. This event is free & open to the public.
September 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Obsidian at 50! Sept 30th: An in-person event with JJJJJEROME ELLIS
📣 Join us in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer & performer JJJJJerome Ellis to Normal, IL, for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation & book signing. This event is free & open to the public.
📣 Join us in welcoming multimedia artist, musician, composer, writer & performer JJJJJerome Ellis to Normal, IL, for an evening of poetry, musical performance, conversation & book signing. This event is free & open to the public.
SAVE THE DATE! Sept 30: JJJJJerome Ellis & Ceremonies of Innovation—Blackness, Music & Disabled Speech. In-person event! For more details and to RSVP: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-at-...
#Obsidian #ObsidianLit #Obsidian@50 #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianLive #LitMag
#Obsidian #ObsidianLit #Obsidian@50 #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianLive #LitMag
September 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
SAVE THE DATE! Sept 30: JJJJJerome Ellis & Ceremonies of Innovation—Blackness, Music & Disabled Speech. In-person event! For more details and to RSVP: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-at-...
#Obsidian #ObsidianLit #Obsidian@50 #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianLive #LitMag
#Obsidian #ObsidianLit #Obsidian@50 #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianLive #LitMag
Obsidian is accepting submissions for our next general issue. The submission period ends October 15, 2025. For details, please visit obsidianlit.org/how-to-submit/
May 23, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Obsidian is accepting submissions for our next general issue. The submission period ends October 15, 2025. For details, please visit obsidianlit.org/how-to-submit/
Find Obsidian's statement on loss of NEA funding at mailchi.mp/d6247a2401f6...
May 23, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Find Obsidian's statement on loss of NEA funding at mailchi.mp/d6247a2401f6...
📣 Announcing the Obsidian raffle #AWP25 WINNERS of gift certificates to Bookshop.org: Leslie McIntosh 🎉 Crystal Powell 🎉 Karrin Thompson 🎉
Thank you Leslie, Crystal & Karrin for visiting the Obsidian table at #AWP2025 and deep appreciation to Bookshop.org for gifting us two gift certificates! ❤️ ✨
Thank you Leslie, Crystal & Karrin for visiting the Obsidian table at #AWP2025 and deep appreciation to Bookshop.org for gifting us two gift certificates! ❤️ ✨
May 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
📣 Announcing the Obsidian raffle #AWP25 WINNERS of gift certificates to Bookshop.org: Leslie McIntosh 🎉 Crystal Powell 🎉 Karrin Thompson 🎉
Thank you Leslie, Crystal & Karrin for visiting the Obsidian table at #AWP2025 and deep appreciation to Bookshop.org for gifting us two gift certificates! ❤️ ✨
Thank you Leslie, Crystal & Karrin for visiting the Obsidian table at #AWP2025 and deep appreciation to Bookshop.org for gifting us two gift certificates! ❤️ ✨
TODAY! Obsidian Town Hall in LA! Conversation is hosted by Duriel E. Harris & L. Renée. All are welcome!
For more information: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
#ObsidianTownHall #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #ObsidianEditors #LitMag #AWP25 #AWP2025
For more information: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
#ObsidianTownHall #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #ObsidianEditors #LitMag #AWP25 #AWP2025
Obsidian Town Hall on Insight
This Town Hall is the second of Obsidian’s Moral Witnessing Series, with an interactive community gathering and conversation to share and discuss what we learn from witnessing and how we are transform...
obsidianlit.org
March 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
TODAY! Obsidian Town Hall in LA! Conversation is hosted by Duriel E. Harris & L. Renée. All are welcome!
For more information: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
#ObsidianTownHall #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #ObsidianEditors #LitMag #AWP25 #AWP2025
For more information: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
#ObsidianTownHall #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #ObsidianEditors #LitMag #AWP25 #AWP2025
Stop by Obsidian's table (366) in the #AWP25 Bookfair and ask about our membership program!
AND: Obsidian's $50 for 50! We are giving away THREE $50 gift certificates to Bookshop.org in celebration of our 50 years of publication! Sponsored by Obsidian & Bookshop.org.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025
AND: Obsidian's $50 for 50! We are giving away THREE $50 gift certificates to Bookshop.org in celebration of our 50 years of publication! Sponsored by Obsidian & Bookshop.org.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025
March 28, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Stop by Obsidian's table (366) in the #AWP25 Bookfair and ask about our membership program!
AND: Obsidian's $50 for 50! We are giving away THREE $50 gift certificates to Bookshop.org in celebration of our 50 years of publication! Sponsored by Obsidian & Bookshop.org.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025
AND: Obsidian's $50 for 50! We are giving away THREE $50 gift certificates to Bookshop.org in celebration of our 50 years of publication! Sponsored by Obsidian & Bookshop.org.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025
Find Duriel E. Harris at Cave Canem Presents Magnitude & Bond: A Field Study
1:45pm
Petree Hall C
LA Convention Center
The study focuses on Black literary arts service organizations that provide essential programming, services, and networks of support to the literary community.
1:45pm
Petree Hall C
LA Convention Center
The study focuses on Black literary arts service organizations that provide essential programming, services, and networks of support to the literary community.
March 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Find Duriel E. Harris at Cave Canem Presents Magnitude & Bond: A Field Study
1:45pm
Petree Hall C
LA Convention Center
The study focuses on Black literary arts service organizations that provide essential programming, services, and networks of support to the literary community.
1:45pm
Petree Hall C
LA Convention Center
The study focuses on Black literary arts service organizations that provide essential programming, services, and networks of support to the literary community.
Find Obsidian at table 366 in AWP's bookfair in Los Angeles—pick up info on our Thursday panel & the Saturday off-site Obsidian Town Hall on Insight.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
March 27, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Find Obsidian at table 366 in AWP's bookfair in Los Angeles—pick up info on our Thursday panel & the Saturday off-site Obsidian Town Hall on Insight.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
HAPPENING TODAY:
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center (Session Code T207)
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center (Session Code T207)
March 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
HAPPENING TODAY:
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center (Session Code T207)
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center (Session Code T207)
Obsidian's $50 for 50! We are giving away THREE $50 gift certificates to Bookshop.org to celebrate 50 years of publication! Sponsored by Bookshop.org. Table 366 for details.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag
March 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Obsidian's $50 for 50! We are giving away THREE $50 gift certificates to Bookshop.org to celebrate 50 years of publication! Sponsored by Bookshop.org. Table 366 for details.
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag
Obsidian is celebrating 50 years of publication at AWP in Los Angeles 🔥 Find us in the bookfair at Table 366. We are looking forward to seeing you!
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
March 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Obsidian is celebrating 50 years of publication at AWP in Los Angeles 🔥 Find us in the bookfair at Table 366. We are looking forward to seeing you!
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
#ObsidianatAWP #AWP25 #AWP2025 #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianEditors #ObsidianContributors #BlackLit #BlackArt #BlackPoetry #LitMag #NewIssues
🔥 Don't miss our panel on THURSDAY at AWP:
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center
March 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
🔥 Don't miss our panel on THURSDAY at AWP:
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center
Obsidian at Fifty: Activating the Archive—Editors’ Roundtable
with Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Douglas Kearney & Sheree Renée Thomas; moderated by Duriel E. Harris
Thursday, March 27, 1:45 to 3pm PT
Room 408B, Level Two, Los Angeles Convention Center
Save the Date—March 29 for an in-person Obsidian Town Hall in Los Angeles! The conversation is hosted by Duriel E. Harris & L. Renée. Join this interactive community gathering at the Radical Hood Library.
For more information on the event & Radical Hood Library: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
For more information on the event & Radical Hood Library: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
March 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Save the Date—March 29 for an in-person Obsidian Town Hall in Los Angeles! The conversation is hosted by Duriel E. Harris & L. Renée. Join this interactive community gathering at the Radical Hood Library.
For more information on the event & Radical Hood Library: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
For more information on the event & Radical Hood Library: obsidianlit.org/obsidian-tow...
📣 Submit to Obsidian's themed issue on The Black Artist as Moral Witness, edited by Duriel E. Harris & L. Renée
More details: obsidianlit.org/open-calls/ Deadline is April 1, 2025
#Obsidian #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #BlackArt #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #LitMag
More details: obsidianlit.org/open-calls/ Deadline is April 1, 2025
#Obsidian #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #BlackArt #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #LitMag
March 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
📣 Submit to Obsidian's themed issue on The Black Artist as Moral Witness, edited by Duriel E. Harris & L. Renée
More details: obsidianlit.org/open-calls/ Deadline is April 1, 2025
#Obsidian #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #BlackArt #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #LitMag
More details: obsidianlit.org/open-calls/ Deadline is April 1, 2025
#Obsidian #MoralWitnessing #BlackLit #BlackPoetry #BlackArt #ObsidianCommunity #ObsidianContributors #LitMag
Join us tonight! An Obsidian Town Hall 🔥 The panelists will discuss their processes of making witness-based art, as part of our Moral Witnessing Series.
Find the details and RSVP at bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Find the details and RSVP at bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 27, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Join us tonight! An Obsidian Town Hall 🔥 The panelists will discuss their processes of making witness-based art, as part of our Moral Witnessing Series.
Find the details and RSVP at bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Find the details and RSVP at bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Don't miss this Thursday's Town Hall, moderated by Obsidian Editor Duriel E. Harris 📣
Find out more about the Town Hall & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Find out more about the Town Hall & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 25, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Don't miss this Thursday's Town Hall, moderated by Obsidian Editor Duriel E. Harris 📣
Find out more about the Town Hall & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Find out more about the Town Hall & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Don't miss Thursday's Obsidian Town Hall, moderated by L. Renée 🎤
L. Renée is a poet, story collector, nonfiction writer & guest editor of Obsidian's upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK special issue.
Find out more about L. Renée & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
L. Renée is a poet, story collector, nonfiction writer & guest editor of Obsidian's upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK special issue.
Find out more about L. Renée & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Don't miss Thursday's Obsidian Town Hall, moderated by L. Renée 🎤
L. Renée is a poet, story collector, nonfiction writer & guest editor of Obsidian's upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK special issue.
Find out more about L. Renée & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
L. Renée is a poet, story collector, nonfiction writer & guest editor of Obsidian's upcoming VRY PRSNT BLK special issue.
Find out more about L. Renée & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Saleem Hue Penny will be at Obsidian's Town Hall! ✨
Saleem is a Black, disabled poet expanding the pastoral tradition of the Southern Black Belt using a “rural hip-hop blues” aesthetic.
Find out more about Saleem & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Saleem is a Black, disabled poet expanding the pastoral tradition of the Southern Black Belt using a “rural hip-hop blues” aesthetic.
Find out more about Saleem & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Saleem Hue Penny will be at Obsidian's Town Hall! ✨
Saleem is a Black, disabled poet expanding the pastoral tradition of the Southern Black Belt using a “rural hip-hop blues” aesthetic.
Find out more about Saleem & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Saleem is a Black, disabled poet expanding the pastoral tradition of the Southern Black Belt using a “rural hip-hop blues” aesthetic.
Find out more about Saleem & RSVP for this free online event, Feb 27 at 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
LaShawnda Crowe Storm at Obsidian's Town Hall! 🔥
LaShawnda Crowe Storm is an artist, activist & community builder. Crowe Storm uses her creative power as a vehicle for dialogue, social change & healing.
Read more about LaShawnda & RSVP for free online event, Feb 27 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
LaShawnda Crowe Storm is an artist, activist & community builder. Crowe Storm uses her creative power as a vehicle for dialogue, social change & healing.
Read more about LaShawnda & RSVP for free online event, Feb 27 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM
LaShawnda Crowe Storm at Obsidian's Town Hall! 🔥
LaShawnda Crowe Storm is an artist, activist & community builder. Crowe Storm uses her creative power as a vehicle for dialogue, social change & healing.
Read more about LaShawnda & RSVP for free online event, Feb 27 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
LaShawnda Crowe Storm is an artist, activist & community builder. Crowe Storm uses her creative power as a vehicle for dialogue, social change & healing.
Read more about LaShawnda & RSVP for free online event, Feb 27 6pm CT: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
At the Obsidian Town Hall: Maria Hamilton Abegunde 🌟
Abegunde is a memory keeper, poet, ancestral priest & full-spectrum doula. Her work focuses on the Middle Passage, genocide, sexual violence & community healing.
Read more & RSVP for this free Feb 27 6pm CT online event: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Abegunde is a memory keeper, poet, ancestral priest & full-spectrum doula. Her work focuses on the Middle Passage, genocide, sexual violence & community healing.
Read more & RSVP for this free Feb 27 6pm CT online event: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
February 21, 2025 at 12:12 AM
At the Obsidian Town Hall: Maria Hamilton Abegunde 🌟
Abegunde is a memory keeper, poet, ancestral priest & full-spectrum doula. Her work focuses on the Middle Passage, genocide, sexual violence & community healing.
Read more & RSVP for this free Feb 27 6pm CT online event: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess
Abegunde is a memory keeper, poet, ancestral priest & full-spectrum doula. Her work focuses on the Middle Passage, genocide, sexual violence & community healing.
Read more & RSVP for this free Feb 27 6pm CT online event: bit.ly/ObsidianOnProcess