We need our poets.

In one of Countee Cullen's poems in eluded in Caroling Dusk: An Anthology Of Verse by Negro Poets (Harper & Row, 1927), a collection he edited, the poet concludes: Yet do I marvel at this curious thing/To make a poet Black, and bid him sing!

These words of Cullen, one of the shining stars of the Harlem Renaissance, still resonate for us. It captures in an instant, as poetry does, the conflict of the African American artist--spoken word, written word, visual or music--whose calling is to create and to celebrate life in a world that may not always seem welcoming.

African America especially needs its poets. First, we need them to voice our truths and interpret our experience. We need the poets to counteract negative stereotypes, particularly the notion that our people cannot master the written form or use the standard language correctly. We need them to remind our youth that not only can they do so, but that when they try, they can excel. I recall an exchange in which a well-meaning person lamented the state of verbal skills among black youth to a visiting African American speaker. The speaker quickly corrected, saying something like: "Oh, no. Our youth can simultaneously vocalize extemporaneous rhymes, improvise polyrhythmic beats, all while choreographing original dance routines."

Obviously, aptitude for language is not lacking among our youth. Attitude adjustment may be what is needed to help some of them apply those same skills to homework and standardized tests. Through poetry we can reinforce the values black culture has always placed on verbal excellence in our religious life, play, humor and competition.

In this issue, our annual tribute to National Poetry Month in April, we honor poets, we de bate their craft, we listen to them, but most of all we let them speak. Elsewhere in this issue, BIBR inaugurates a partnership with the American Library Association, which celebrates the 35th anniversary of its annual Coretta Scott King Awards. In an accompanying article, Elizabeth Atkins reviews fire history of this prestigious honor for children's literature. The awards go to authors or illustrators of African descent whose books promote understanding of the American Dream. Meanwhile, history enthusiasts can also delve into the mindset of two of our slave owning Founding Fathers in an essay by veteran journalist Pearl Stewart (NONFICTION REVIEWS, page 58).

And with March being Women's History Month, SPOTLIGHT (page 38) features an interview with Nalo Hopkinson, the Jamaican-born/Canadian, genre-leaping storyteller and TRIBUTE (page 70) pays homage to the stilled voice of Nina Simone.

Rounding out the edition are many reviews and book listings throughout the issue that allow us to cover many more titles in each issue. Altogether, we hope it is an issue that will inspire, inform and entertain you front cover to cover.