To celebrate Black History month SMSU invited poet and activist Cassie Williams for a reading last Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. 

Williams, a past student, returned to Marshall and was honored with the MLK Humanitarian award for her activist work and the efforts she’s made in her community.  

In her reading she read a combination of her own poems and Nikki Giovanni’s poems. Both being poets of color who write profound poetry. The connection between Williams’ and Giovanni’s poems was made clear through Williams’ reading.  

Williams’ poems focus on her life as a mother, writer and educator. Weaving her memories and current experience into her collection of poems.  

The style of Nikki Giovanni’s poems compliments her own so when she transitioned from her own to Giovanni’s the connection is clear.  

During her reading she encouraged audience engagement by telling them to clap along to a beat of her poem. 

Her goal for this reading was, she said, “to show that everyone has a place here.” She wanted to “give (the audience) a space to feel” and encouraged the listeners to say what they felt or even cry. 

Near the end of the reading she said, “my birthday is February 1st so I start Black History Month.” Her Chapbook ‘Linen Hair’ was on sale during the reading.  

If you want to see what Cassie Williams is up to in her journey and future performances check out her Instagram and Facebook.