Tyehimba Jess

Tyehimba Jess is an Assistant Professor of English at the College of Staten Island. A Detroit native, he holds an M.F.A. from New York University. His work focuses on poetry and African American literary traditions, with notable publications in journals like American Poetry Review and Indiana Review. Jess has received prestigious awards including the National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship (2004) and the Whiting Fellowship (2006).

His first poetry collection, leadbelly (2004), won the National Poetry Series and was hailed as one of the best poetry books of 2005. Jess is also a performance poet, with stints on the 2000 and 2001 Green Mill Poetry Slam Team and a featured speaker at the 2011 TedX Nashville Conference. His interdisciplinary approach bridges creative writing, oral performance, and cultural history.

Professional accolades include residencies at the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center and recognition through fellowships that underscore his contributions to literary arts. His academic role at CSI aligns with his commitment to fostering creative expression and scholarly engagement in literature.