Episode #130 - Tshaka Menelik Imhotep Campbell

Tshaka Menelik Imhotep Campbell is a former Silicon Valley Poet Laureate and has authored four books of poetry: Tarman, Muted Whispers, STUFF | I will Write More, and Tunnel Vision. He is preparing to release a fifth book with El Martillo Press, Blood at the Root. Born in London, England, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Tshaka was introduced to the words of Malcolm X and Winston Churchill at an early age by his father, an orator and advocate for the power of language. While the influence of those lessons lay dormant for much of his youth, Tshaka was concurrently exposed to the rhythm and rhyme of early rap music and life as a Black man in America. Today, much of Tshaka’s poetry revolves around a need for identity, exploring themes such as fatherhood and the experiences of Black Americans. His soon-to-be-released book of poems, Blood At The Root, was written for his daughter and has taken over a decade to complete. In this book, he hopes to share experiences she can bring into her life. Blood at the Root aims to address topics related to love, loss, and the human condition. In this conversation, we discuss Tshaka’s formative upbringing, his creation story as a poet, his purpose for writing, and the perspective behind his upcoming book. Follow Tshaka on Instagram @pappatshak.Featured in issue 12.1, “Device.” *Edit: The intended reference to the breadmaking process at 48:50 is "proofing" rather than "pruning."