About Jabari Khalfani

“I had a cat whose name was Pete, couldn’t catch rats but sure could eat.” At six years old, my first glimpse of being a poet was born when I uttered these words from a poem I performed for my first grade class. Growing up as a child, it wasn’t Mother Goose nursery rhymes, rather the melodic hip hop sounds of Chubb Rock, KRS 1, Eric B & Rakim, and Big Daddy Kane, that ushered me to sleep at night. Any used envelope, pamphlet, flyer or scrap paper lying around, became a blank canvas for me to empty my thoughts and perfect my rhyme scheme. I would write endlessly pages on pages at a time.

I would later accompany my older sister Authens, to Black Cultural events where I witnessed her perform poetry with a contagious zeal and passion. This left a permanent impression that would forever prove influential. Through a love for hip hop, an exposure to African centered thought and coming into Black consciousness, my unique style as a poet was developed. My diverse studies in Education, Philosophy, and Political Science, are all echoed in my poetry’s recurring themes of Struggle, Liberation, Love and Inspiration.

I would go on to become a regular performer at various student events while an undergraduate at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. After graduating and becoming a teacher, I became intentional about sharing my passion. I have been able to do this through my relentless effort of ensuring the students I serve are proficient writers. This is further evidenced through the numerous writing workshops I have provided to support high schoolers with college admissions.

Through rich life experiences and formal schooling I have been able to evolve into a seasoned poet, having performed at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Trinity University, Howard University and Grand Canyon University. I have been the main feature at Busboys and Poets, SPIT DAT DC, Maryland’s Arts Festival and countless other open mic forums.
When I’m not busy teaching, studying as a doctoral student or attending to my beautiful wife and three children, you can ensure a brilliant piece of poetry is being crafted.