Testimonials
In May, Rajnii visited Seabrook Elementary School in New Hampshire to engage students in a poetry workshop. They were so moved by the experience that they collaborated to create a presentation as a vehicle for their gratitude. Here are just a few slides from that presentation. The link below the slideshow includes the full presentation.
“There are no words to describe his facility with his art and his natural connection to youth.”
Anita Wilson
Director of Pentagle Arts
“I appreciated Rajnii's inner tranquility that was represented through his peaceful tone and delivery. He showed respect to the young students and their ability to grasp difficult topics.”
John Hansen
Barnard Academy
“His perspective offered a new light to see the world for a lot of kids who don't know anything other than their home town. They loved it!”
Julia Mullaney
Seabrook Elementary School
“Rajnii was great with the students in our school, he patiently waited for students who struggled to get their words out in a timely manner and who continued to unmute when inappropriate. As an educator, I loved how she shared not only his own work, but also the work of some of the greats in poetry.”
Rachel Sucu
Seabrook Elementary School
“Our experience with Rajnii was amazing! Rajnii created a space in which many students felt comfortable creating and sharing poetry. Students felt challenged by the concepts Rajnii conveyed through his poetry and were interested in discussing and reflecting on these concepts.”
Tammie Johnson
Addison Central Supervisory District
“Antiracist work should not happen secretly behind closed doors. It needs to be shared by the community, analyzed in the open, and continuously adjusted to reflect the needs of people who will benefit from it. Mr. Eddins allowed our school to engage in this process as he masterfully guided us with the brilliance of his words. Through his poetry, he brought teachers together in deep reflection as we examined our stances and pedagogies. His engagement with the students gave urgency to their actions and affirmation to their identities. He built up Black students like no white educator can: as he spoke of their shared experiences, he lit up the torch for their journey. Mr. Eddins’ honesty, humanity, and wordsmithship left a profound impression on everyone who attended his presentation. He inspired poets to write, change-makers to persevere, students to keep learning, educators to know more, and all of us to continue the fight for justice and equity that are foundational to his poetry. For this, I am profoundly grateful.”
Alla Chelukhova
Philosophy and Civics Teacher at Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School
“Rajnii Eddins' made our school a truly brave space as we listened and engaged with his poetry. I recommend his words (and the words of his mother, that he carries ready to share) for all ears and hearts and his poetic, hopeful presence for all schools. When a student asked if he thought society could truly change, Mr. Eddins responded yes, and then solemnly, "I encourage you. I believe in you." I felt buoyed and re-oriented in my anti-racist work, and I heard my Black students say that they valued his presence beyond many efforts we've made in the past. It's time for white educators to move aside and make space in our buildings and at our podiums for Black leaders who can say things we don't have the experience or authority to say, describe things everyone needs to think deeply about, and lead our students in work that we (I speak for myself, as a white woman) are only just beginning to understand.”
Erin Hattaway
Assistant Principal at Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School
“His poetry was not only moving, but he shared what it is like to be Black in America. He provided a space to have students write what peace means to them, and then allowed some to share their writings if they wanted to. It was a meaningful and eye opening experience for ALL ages and cultural backgrounds.”
Heather Smith
Student at Antioch University Seattle Masters in Education Program
“Rajnii’s tongue is ancestral, and his spirit is free. In the tradition of sacred word-warriors, he names the fallen and the martyrs with extraordinary grace and a humbling consciousness that manifest light in all directions. His fiery poems ration out eternal wisdoms that call forth simply a substitution of love for hate and a spiritual reckoning so that we all can breathe. Sing on, dear brother.”
Major Jackson
Poetry Editor of Harvard Review
“It is one thing to possess ( and be possessed by) deep wells of love and/or anger-Quite another to craft poems which honor and acknowledge the aforementioned without drowning the artist’s originality and vision. Rajnii Eddins’s work embodies Amiri Baraka’s definition of poetry (“speech musicked”)-and it takes us into often uncomfortable, painful places in an original –compelling, often haunting manner.
Whether the poet is standing his ground with proud, searing incantations like those found in the title poem, or successfully working the thematic tightrope of love and personal ( and cultural) determination, the work in this volume consistently pulls the reader in, and leaves our hearts no choice but to eagerly follow, page after page after page. I admire his poetic range, depth and courage as much as I admire the fact that he practices –and shares-his work while living in a racial cauldron like Vermont.
Do not sleep on the work of Rajnii Eddins.”
Reuben Jackson
Former host of VPR’s Friday Night Jazz
“Rajnii Eddins breathes through the written word. A full recital that allows us to see more clearly the dimly lit spaces of the black romantic. For over 2 decades, this poet, father, teacher and son has allowed the spoken word to be a guide and refuge. In his words, there is refuge for which I always felt drawn. When I'm with Rajnii, I often feel strong in his silence and watch him craft truth as he lives such that listening, breathing and writing become synonymous. It's rare that the light of hope shines so brightly these days and when it does we must stand forward and receive the light, lest we in our efforts, grow dim. Rajnii shares the long awaited letter from your dearest friend, your closest sister and the villain who attempts to steal our laughter. If you ride these poems, you will arrive at peace. Thank you Raj for your light.”
Theaster Gates
Social Practice Installation Artist
Featured in Time Magazine
“As I write this letter of reference in support of poet and performer Rajnii Eddins, I am struck by the many ways Mr. Eddins has enriched this library and our community. Rajnii Eddins has been a welcome creative presence at the Fletcher Free Library for nearly a decade. His work in Burlington schools, the Young Writer’s Project, with Clemmons Family Farm and as an artist and performer at area venues has expanded the audience for poetry and spoken word. His mentorship and workshops have inspired writers across generations. In my role as Programming & Partnerships Librarian at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, I work with artists, authors, instructors and scholars from all over the nation. It is an endeavor to provide a wide-range of educational and cultural programming affordably. Rajnii Eddins has created several programs for FFL that have been well-received, financially sustainable and some have garnered media attention. Poetry Experience, a bi-weekly poetry writers’ workshop and performance development program for all ages, has remained popular since Mr. Eddins started it at FFL several years ago. He curated and presented a Black Is Beautiful film series which is going into its third year. He has helped to build partnerships between the Library and educational organizations in the area. Recently, Mr. Eddins released a poetry collection, Their Names Are Mine, and has scheduled readings to promote the book. His reading at FFL took my breath away. The poems have a raw power to them that Rajnii brings to life in his readings. It was one of the most memorable literary experiences I've had in twenty years of library programming. He is a poet and performer not to be missed. Notably, working with Mr. Eddins has been a pleasure. He is organized, timely and personable. He has my utmost recommendation as a poet and performer.”
Barbara A. Shatara
Librarian Director
Fletcher Free Library
"The student response to him was so positive, and I think his impact will reach far beyond our ability to gauge it. The poetry students wrote was deep and wise (at least in the 5/6 group that I attended), and I think those students are likely to keep those poems for a long time and look back at them. Because his writing prompts was about peace, their poetry documented the concerns of the day and how they were feeling about them.
Rajnii himself embodies love and wisdom. His authentic care for the children, his risk-taking, the way he entrusted the students with serious topics and elements of his own life was powerful. I was stirred up for the rest of the myself."
Edorah Fraser
Principal of Robinson Elementary School
Starksboro, VT
Praise from the Culturally Responsive Leadership Connector NH Conference, 2019
“Rajnii presented very compelling evidence that childhood trauma prevents children from accessing higher order cognitive processing skills, and that music, dance, and other artistic activities can assist in healing.”
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“He was amazing!! His performance, energy and message was heartfelt. The best for me in the entire conference.”
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“He was so good to hear and meet, his personal and political and artist voice is strong and kind and non- threatening. He exemplified patience and peace and is power of example.”