"I Guess It Was My Destiny To Live So Long is a series of nights and events that center on the spirit of June Jordan's work: not just her politically radical approach to poetics, but also her radical and expansive approach to the love poem, the form and urgency of love as a central topic, and the understanding that people, collectively, must work to build a new world," Abdurraqib said.
"These events speak to poetry's potential to bridge differences and foster hope, particularly in times of political division," he said.
The series will feature artists Jamila Woods, Tasha, and McKinley Dixon, who are known for blending music with Black literature and storytelling. Together, they will offer audiences a powerful celebration of Black resilience and community through lyrical richness and soulful sounds.
The programming includes: Film Screening: A Place of Rage Directed by Desire... Following the film, there will be a collaborative reading of Jordan's poems from Directed by Desire, celebrating her lasting influence on social justice.
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