Tshaka Campbell's Blood at the Root: An Nkisi now available for pre-order! Foreword by Tureeda Mikell.
 
“Blood at the Root: An Nkisi is simultaneously a lyrical exploration that grips the soul and intellect and is also a poignant journey through parenthood, love, identity, and heritage. An intimate offering, Campbell explores the profound responsibility and joy of raising a daughter, weaving together reflections on roots and resilience through ancestral wisdom, unflinching love. Much like the titular phrase suggests, this work digs deep, unearthing truths that are raw, haunting, and profoundly beautiful.”
 
—Javon Johnson, author of Ain’t Never Not Been Black (Button Poetry, 2020) and Killing Poetry: Blackness and the Making of Slam and Spoken Word Communities (Rutgers University Press, 2017)
 
 
“Tshaka Campbell’s Blood at the Root: An Nkisi is an aria of unconditional love from a father to his daughter. These poem offerings are simultaneously creation myth, praise song, and protection prayer. If you know Tshaka’s work, trust that this book will both break and mend you. If you don't know it yet, you are about to be blessed in discovering.”
 
—Arlene Biala, author of her beckoning hands, American Book Award winner and Santa Clara County Poet Laureate, 2016-2017
 
 
“Tshaka Cambell is one of the most powerful poetic voices of our generation. His work has been a gift in my life. For over twenty years I’ve watched him captivate audiences with his rhythmic wisdom and unforgettable performance style. Blood at the Root: An Nkisi deepens the conversation. It is a compelling compilation of poetry from a master of his craft.”
 
—IN-Q, Emmy-nominated poet, multi-platinum songwriter, world renowned keynote speaker, and the best-selling author of Inquire Within (HarperOne, 2020)
 
 
“Tshaka Campbell, equal parts herald, homie, and babalawo, is once more writing at the top of his game. Blood at the Root: An Nkisi is an opus work that belongs on the bookshelf between your Bible, Things Fall Apart, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X; or stored in the kitchen next to the Lawry’s, the ginger, and the echinacea. At a moment when so much is at stake, these glass bottle poems are both inspirational and necessary for our wellbeing, so keep them close by.”
 
—Tama L. Brisbane, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Stockton, California and Executive Director of With Our Word /WOW Inc.
 
 
““What piece of myself do I leave for her and what should she never know? / Is DNA enough?” Tshaka Campbell’s Blood at the Root: An Nkisi is a passionately masterful dive into fatherhood and family. These are observant stories, fables, “verses as lanterns in the darkness” centered on grandparents, masculinity, relationships, self-respect, and even on surviving 9-11—all beautifully rendered with the most delicate truth and clarity offered to the author’s daughter. Tshaka has a long, solid resume of essential work and this collection is proof of his power, all rooted in community and family. Glorious and essential work.”
 
—James Cagney, Cave Canem fellow, award-winning author of Black Steel Magnolias in the Hour of Chaos Theory (Black Lawrence Press, 2023) and Martian: The Saint of Loneliness (Nomadic Press, 2022)
 
 
“Tshaka Campbell is a powerhouse whose poetics effortlessly bends conventional expression to arrest emotion and attention. In this collection, Campbell invites readers into an intimate journey where the desire to be worthy of the title “father” becomes permission for a process of self-discovery through a tender unpacking of bloodlines and histories. Here, breathing life into ancestral and lived silences becomes a means of self-revival which simultaneously says to the inheritor of his bloodline, that she is power, walks in it, comes from it and should never forget who she is. Navigating his own identity with an endearing tenderness and vulnerability, Campbell opens doorways for readers to embark on parallel journeys which acknowledge that if we allow ourselves, we too are stories whose conclusions are still being written or as he writes in one of the poems, “A man is a wheel in constant realignment.” Blood at the Root: An Nkisi stands is testament to the power of knowing where you come from—a reminder that we are all worthy of presence, wherever we may find ourselves.”
 
—Tolu Agbelusi, author of Locating Strongwoman (Jacaranda Press, 2020)
 
 
 
Originally from London England, Tshaka Campbell was raised on his father’s teachings of solidarity and brought up on orators the likes of Garvey’s Pan-Africanism to William Churchill, as such, he adopted his father’s intense love of language. Tshaka began writing poetry long before performing it in an attempt to find his own voice and point of view within the art form.
 
As a performer, he is recognized as an accomplished artist internationally and performance accolades include not only being a member of the Nuyorican national poetry slam team and the Da Poetry Lounge (DPL) slam team, but also earning the Grand Champion title in San Francisco and Hollywood. He has also been honored with the UK Unsigned Artist award in poetry.
 
Tshaka is the first black, Santa Clara County Poet Laureate and has authored three books of poetry entitled Tarman, Muted Whispers, Stuff | Will Write More, Tunnel Vision and Blood at the Root: An Nkisi. His words have been featured in Bridges Review, BBC UK, Content Magazine, Speakeasy Vol. 1, Liminal Animals, Rigorous, among others. A city of Milpitas and city of Sunnyvale commendation in the arts award recipient, Tshaka has also collaborated on projects with the World Health Organization (WHO), the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the NUMU and Triton museums, as well sits on the Board of Directors for Silicon Valley Creates arts council and Poetry Center San Jose. He has partnered with the Silicon Valley Transit Authority and community members to deliver youth programs centered around expanding poetry and literature.  He has four spoken word albums entitled ONE, BLOODLINES, SKIN vol.1; and his most recent release NKISI is currently available on all streaming platforms.
 
Tshaka has toured a number of US cities and across the globe, featuring at venues such as the legendary Apollo Theater and the O2 in London England.
 
He continues to be inspired by the struggle of life, the uncertain certainty of the universe and what it chooses to hand you. His wife and daughter show him the way daily, as well as so many authors and poets such as Octavia Butler, Ben Okri, Rumi, Baldwin, and countless others who spin language like silk.
 
He currently resides in San Jose and continues to ask the world to listen different.