Frederick-Douglass Knowles II
Hartford Poet Laureate Emeritus
Frederick-Douglass Knowles II is a Professor of English at Connecticut State Community College (Three Rivers Campus). He is a Hartford Poet Laureate Emeritus. Knowles is a recipient of the Nutmeg Poetry Award and the Connecticut of The Arts Fellow in Artist Excellence for Poetry/ Creative Non-Fiction. He is a two-time Pushcart Prize nominee and the author of BlackRoseCity.
Bio
#BeatLit
Imagine a young poetic voice that is powerful, yet fearful. It fears that no one wants to hear about its innermost vulnerabilities due to a cultural absence of empathy. Or a powerful young voice that is fully aware of its magnitude, but unaware of how to articulate its experience utilizing literary techniques designed to amplify its story. Now imagine those same voices expressing themselves to the heartfelt rhythm of #BeatLit.
Mission:
#BeatLit illustrates an interactive, creative writing campaign designed to amalgamate the literary and performing art of poetry. #BeatLit combines the element of active reading with generative creative writing exercises to compose literary and/or performance poetry in order to improve the competency and confidence of aspiring writers.
Vision:
#BeatLit establishes working relationships with local schools, libraries, community organizations and institutions, as well as, artistic venues throughout Greater Hartford to encourage young writers to achieve their literary dreams.
Emeritus Tour 2024
1. Here Journal Release Feb 1st 5:30pm Eastern Connecticut State University Windham, CT
2. Racial Equity (Virtual Reading) Feb 14th 12pm Department of Children and Family, CT
3. Black History Month Feb 22nd 8pm Coast Guard Academy New London, CT
4. 14th Annual Spoken Word Feb 24th 8pm Marriott Hotel Bridgeport, CT
5. Black History Month Feb 26th 7pm CT State CC QV Willimantic Center, Willimantic, CT
6. Rockville High School Feb 29th 10:30 am Rockville High School Rockville, CT
7. Global Cafe March 6th 9am UCONN Avery Point, Groton, CT
8. Riverwood Poetry Series March 13th 7pm Real Artways Hartford, CT
9. Mad River Literary Festival April 17th CT State CC Northwestern Campus Winsted, CT
10. Voices of Poetry May 5th 2pm Museum of Contemporary Art Westport CT
11. Commencement Speaker May 23rd 6pm CT State CC Northwestern Campus, Winsted, CT
12. Rose Garden Reading June 15th 1pm Elizabeth Park West Hartford, CT
12. Juneteenth Celebration June 15th 11am Burnt Hill Park Hebron, CT
13. A Night of Laureates June 25th 6pm International Festival of Arts & Ideas New Haven, CT