David Drake is rarely mentioned alongside early Black poets: Wheatley, Lucy Terry, Horton and Hammond (see below). Often called "Dave the Potter," he's rarely recognized as an enslaved *writer* and one of the most innovative poets of his time. https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/power-poetry-pre-civil-war-reconstruction #BlackPoetry

David Drake is the only Black poet we know whose circulating work doesn't include *anything* printed in newspapers, pamphlets or books. His page was clay. Enslaved until the War freed him, his poetry appeared on the pots he made for others' gain. #slaveryarchive #C19 #BlackPoetry

This week I'm (finally) sending off a volume that includes 15 new Drake poems, scores of updated emendations to his existing verse, with a full poetry cycle by @Glenisredmond + art by Jonathan Green inspired by Drake's work as a master poet *and* a master potter. Fingers crossed.

This vol. on David Drake's legacy is inspired by a long-standing collaboration with Lynnette Overby, artistic director of Sharing our Legacy (SOL), and @Glenisredmond that has feed my soul and scholarship (while @CCP_org has been my more visible work). https://www.peacecenter.org/events/detail/david-drake-dave-the-potter

The vol. includes Jonathan Green's "Sir Dave" paintings which have never been shown or published together and will debut "All My Relation," a stunning poetry cycle by @Glenisredmond. I hope to establish Drake as a *poet* as well as a potter we need to reckon with.