‘Ojekeme the Griot’; the preferred pen name, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and has been a writer and performance poet for more than fifteen years. Ojekeme, a name derived from the Ibo tribe in Southern Nigeria, means “mothers beloved first son”. A griot in eastern societies was known as the village historian, teacher or story teller. For him the name is symbolic in that, he writes; “What we all feel at times in a way that each person may recall his (her) own experiences.” His early influences include; Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, The Last Poets, Imamu Baraka, Etheridge Knight, Don L. Lee, Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni.
First published in the Ohio State University black student newspaper “Diversity” (late named ‘Blackwatch’ in solidarity with the rap group ‘X-Clan’), Ojekeme has appeared at open mic events and poetry slams or been a feature poet in New York, Washington D.C., Columbus, Memphis Cincinnati, and Cleveland. While living in Memphis, during the late nineties, he also hosted ‘Poetry Night @ 2-5 Up’ for two years.
Ojekeme is currently working on his third collection of poems. His first “DC to NY Columbus to M-10”, covers a twelve year journey that began with his first experiences with the harshness of thee real world. Many of these pieces remained unpublished and still draw rave attention at poetry events. His second collection “Ojekeme Speaks From Beyond the Wall,” is a two year re-invention that transforms anger to love and foreshadows his eventual acceptance. With a strong foundation of over 150 writings Ojekeme in now seeking publication, so that; “The rest of the world can experience love and life like I do”
