My Sweet Black

A liberation! "My Sweet Black" is the first full-length poetry publication of from the mind of storyteller T. S. Holmes, III (also known as Teddy the Brave). As the title suggests, this collection is a sweet journey into the celebration of personhood, with bold undertones and hard truths. In this captivating dedication and long-awaited offering, Holmes sheds light on the Black experience as he has known it—sparing no details or realness. Mirroring life, it can be especially heavy on the joy…and the struggle. "My Sweet Black" is a collection of poetry, notes, and essays that honors, celebrates, and gives unapologetic insight into the Black experience.

A liberation! "My Sweet Black" is the first full-length poetry publication of from the mind of storyteller T. S. Holmes, III (also known as Teddy the Brave). As the title suggests, this collection is a sweet journey into the celebration of personhood, with bold undertones and hard truths. In this captivating dedication and long-awaited offering, Holmes sheds light on the Black experience as he has known it—sparing no details or realness. Mirroring life, it can be especially heavy on the joy…and the struggle. As we traverse this highly political time when the resurgence of harmful messages about the Black community has persisted, Holmes steps to the forefront with a timely message, declaring good news about his people. Many of the pieces were written to invoke memories and reflect the current day, including harsh realities of systemic abuse and oppression expressed in deep and honest prose. Poignant and beautifully written, the magical mystery of Black culture is affirmed and invited throughout the collection. These words can serve as a marker for many future revolutionaries. Perhaps in reading this book, more people will be inspired to share their stories. Perhaps we can continue to heal. Perhaps. But one thing is certain: the reframing of Black truths and Black experiences are a worthy undertaking—valid and warranted. As that is so, "My Sweet Black" was prepared to reach into the Black culture and beyond. Loud, raspy. Sweet, undoing. My Sweet Black, an Unruly Hymn.

Theodore S. Holmes, III, proudly recognized as Teddy the Brave, is a South Georgia native and storyteller. Holding a B.A. in Speech and Theatre from the unsinkable Albany State University (GA) and an M.F.A. in Acting from RU (VA), he has spent the past several years cultivating a work of honesty and advocacy—all the while, exploring the magic within himself. A poet at best, Teddy aims to spark new thought and inspire change through the art of storytelling. Teddy the Brave is also a mental health advocate, speaking openly about mental illness and abuse, oppressive norms, and religious trauma. Through his work as a songbird, playwright, and lecturer, he is invested in the healing and the uplifting of humanity. Love, Justice, and Liberation are key among many of the threads that help to facilitate his overall mission of adorning the disinherited, telling daring truths, and raising a sound for those who can't find their voices. Teddy acknowledges the Creator, his ancestors, his village, and especially the children, whose laughter has pulled him from strange, dark places in many war-torn seasons. He expresses gratitude to you for your support on this joy-filled embarkation. Stick around long enough, and he will recite to you an answer for your woes. He will honor your lament. He will sing you a story.