Celebrating Amiri Baraka at 75

Amiri Baraka and partner, Amini Baraka, Oct. 10.

A standing-room-only crowd of close to 500 people packed the Langston Hughes Auditorium at the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, N.Y., on Oct. 10 to commemorate the 75th birthday of legendary poet, playwright and activist, Amiri Baraka.

Baraka, aka Leroi Jones, is the former poet laureate of New Jersey and the author of such works as “Blues People,” “The Dutchman and the Slave” and “Somebody Blew Up America.”

The major influence of Baraka’s writings on Black culture, including theater, music, poetry and politics, was reflected throughout the program with African dance and drumming, jazz musicians, activists, visual effects and spoken word artists, young and seasoned. Baraka—accompanied by well-known poet Sonia Sanchez—came on stage to thank the program organizers and audience for the celebration.