Angel Nafis

Angel Nafis is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of English at Barnard College, Columbia University. She teaches in the low-residency MFA program at Randolph College and is actively involved in literary communities in Brooklyn, New York.

Education:

• MFA in Poetry, Creative Writing – Warren Wilson College
• BA in English with Creative Writing Concentration – Hunter College
• Washtenaw Community College

Her research and creative work centers on poetry, Black feminism, and community-based literary practices. She is known for her lyrical intensity, emotional depth, and commitment to amplifying Black women's voices through spoken word and page poetry. Her writing explores themes of identity, healing, spirituality, and cultural memory, often blending personal narrative with political resonance.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on contemporary poetry with recurring themes of Black womanhood, emotional autonomy, cultural ritual, and sonic identity. Her work frequently intersects music, particularly R&B, with poetic form, and explores intimate technologies like voicemail and dreams as sites of meaning. She employs traditional forms like the ghazal while innovating within spoken word and lyrical essay styles.

Scientific and Literary Awards:

• Jerome Hill Artists Fellowship (2023)
• National Endowment for the Arts Fellow (2017)
• Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship (2016)
• Millay Colony for the Arts Fellow (2016)
• Cave Canem Poetry Graduate Fellow (2014)
• National Poetry Slam Semi-Finalist

Nafis is a dedicated mentor and educator, facilitating writing workshops globally and co-founding The Other Black Girl Collective with poet Morgan Parker, an internationally touring Black Feminist poetry duo. She founded and curates the Greenlight Bookstore Poetry Salon, fostering literary community in Brooklyn. Though no formal graduate advisees are listed, her impact as a teacher and workshop leader is significant. She has received major grants and fellowships supporting her creative work, including from the NEA and Poetry Foundation.

Labs and Literary Initiatives:

• Founder and Curator – Greenlight Bookstore Poetry Salon
• Co-Founder – The Other Black Girl Collective (with Morgan Parker)
• Facilitator – IN REAL LIFE poetry workshop series at Brooklyn Community Pride Center
• Performer and Educator – Global poetry readings and writing workshops