Poetry. African American Studies. "GRITS uses bold imagery and precise narratives to highlight overlooked moments in daily life: a sobbing passenger on an airplane, two women celebrating Valentine's Day dressed in black, and relates those small moments to the themes of love, madness and the nebulous emotional space that exists between the two. Eboni's first book takes reader to places ranging from Nigeria to the West Village. These poems reflect the work of a woman who has lived many lives in many different places and isn't afraid to indict and challenge the status quo. Eboni demonstrates comfort in her own voice and strong command over persona. Poems in voices of Cicily Tyson, Mary Woodson, Eunice Waymon accentuate the musical quality of the language throughout the book. In particular, these women all are connected to music and violence by their own hands or others. The poems in this book truly reflect the title; they are small grains that contribute to a very fulfilling and satisfying read"--Ekoko Omadeke.
Author City: BROOKLYN, NY USA
Eboni is the voice of the rebels wearing hand-me-down clothes, any girl with a few extra kinks in her hair or one too many words in her mouth and not enough ways to say them. The work of this 24-year-old Bronx native explores topics of femininity, sexuality, sanity, and history with unabashed honesty, providing an authentic and often unforgiving account of what it means to be a young black female traversing 21st century America. Since studying theater at New York University, Eboni has been dedicated to weaving the magic of theater into each performance she gives. She has performed in over 25 U.S. cities and facilitated workshops at several universities, including the University of Florida, West Virginia State University, SUNY Stonybrook, and the University of Ghana at Legon. In 2006, she took part in a five-month artist residency as a part of NYU's Hip Hop Theater Initiative in Ghana, West Africa. Eboni is a two-time representative of the Nuyorican Slam Team and was the 2008 Urbana Grand Slam Champion. She is also published in the anthologies His Rib and Double Lives. She currently resides in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where she does crossword puzzles and seriously contemplates doing yoga some mornings.