Nathan Kweku John
Assistant Professor | English Loyola Marymount University
Media
Biography
Nathan Kweku John has published book reviews, short fiction and a poetry collection. His scholarship largely centers on the funeral dirges of Ghana’s Akan people and the poetics of Ghanaian naming ceremonies. John’s most recent work interrogates the legacies of traditional Yoruba praise poetry and drum language on contemporary West African Afrobeats linguistics.
John's debut collection, Saltwater Demands a Psalm, was selected by Tyehimba Jess to win the 2022 Academy of American Poets First Book Prize. The manuscript was published by Graywolf Press in April of 2023.
John's debut collection, Saltwater Demands a Psalm, was selected by Tyehimba Jess to win the 2022 Academy of American Poets First Book Prize. The manuscript was published by Graywolf Press in April of 2023.
Education
University of Michigan
MFA
Poetry Writing
University of Virginia
B.A.
English & African-American Studies
Social
Areas of Expertise
Poetry Writing
African-American Studies
English
Accomplishments
Indie Introduce Award, Association of American Booksellers
2023
Indie Next Award, Association of American Booksellers
2023
First Book Prize for Poetry, Academy of American Poets
2022
Rackham Thesis Travel Grant, University of Michigan
2021
Hopwood Creative Writing Award, University of Michigan
2021
Furious Flower Poetry Prize
2020
Rackham Merit Fellowship, University of Michigan
2019
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Affiliations
- Charlottesville City Council : Student Body Representative
- Black Leadership Academy : Member
- Advertising and Marketing Association : Member
- Black Commerce Student Network : Member of Leadership Academy
- Black Student Alliance : Member
Media Appearances
An Indies Introduce Q&A with Kweku Abimbola
American Booksellers Association online
2023-03-22
Here Abimbola and Imafidon discuss Saltwater Demands a Psalm.
