Angela Jackson

1951

Angela Jackson is native of Mississippi that is known for her rich talent and wonderful versatility in writing literature. She has written many volumes of poems, several short stories, and a popular romance novel. Although she is very versatile, Angela is best known for her talent in writing poetry. Her use of metaphors and intensive language is admired by many, and she also very well know as an incredible reader in public of her own poetry and stories.

Angela was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on July 25, 1951. She was the fifth child of George and Angeline Jackson, and four siblings followed her. Angela spent her earliest years living in Greenville, but her family later moved to Chicago, Illinois. She stayed in Chicago during college and attended its prestigious Northwestern University, where she received many literary awards in 1974. Also, during the 1970's in Chicago, Jackson became one of the most desired readers and performers because she was able to master the art of pause and rhythm during a performance.

Jackson is also very well know for her involvement in Chicago's Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC). The influence of this organization has had a great effect on Jackson's writing. Its main goal was to advance "the conscious development and articulation of Black Aesthetic." Members are encouraged to express in words the "Black Experience" and also pay attention to and focus on the works of other African American authors.

Jackson has completed many works in her lifetime and will probably produce more. Her books of poetry include Voo Doo/Love Magic (1974), The Greenville Club (chapbook) (1977), Solo in the Boxcar Third Floor E (1985), The Man with the White Liver (1987), Dark Legs and Silk Kisses: The beatitudes of the Spinners (1993), and And All These Roads Be Luminous: Poems Selected and New (1997). Her plays include Witness! (1978), Shango Diaspora: An African-American Myth of Womanhood and love (1980), and When the Wind Blows (1984).