My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter

The youngest person to win the legendary Nuyorican Poet’s Café Grand Slam title—at the age of 19—Aja Monet is recognized for combining her spellbound voice and powerful imagery on stage, captivating audiences in the United States, France, the UK, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bermuda, and Cuba. She has showcased at world-renowned venues including New York City’s Town Hall Theater and Apollo Theater, and the Paradiso in Amsterdam. By request of the UN Youth Delegates, has performed for ambassadors, national politicians, diplomats, and directors of various agencies at the United Nations, and she performed at the NAACP’s Barack Obama Inaugural event in Washington DC.

Cover featuring a photo by Carrie Mae Weems.

Monet has been profiled for her poetry and activism in VIBE, Village Voice, The Fader, Essence, Huffington Post, and other outlets.