| MEET JOSEPH "BLACK ATTICUS" WOODS
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Joseph "Black Atticus" Woods |
Black Atticus is one of the most intelligent and heartfelt voices of the new Southern hip-hop movement.
Hailing from Knoxville, Atticus weaves the art of conversation through nu-sage wisdom with a dash of mother wit, the hard facts of life, and a honest sense of humor that hits home seamlessly.
For more than 30 years, Black Atticus has gained widespread recognition for his artistic achievements. Notably, as a hip-hop artist and spoken word performer, he holds a profound belief that being an artist extends beyond those who entertain. He believes that everyone possesses artistic qualities in their own unique way, inspiring individuals to embrace the artist within themselves.
JOSEPH WOODS NAMED KNOXVILLE’S NEW POET LAUREATE
August 2023 -- Joseph Woods, known by his performance name Black Atticus, has been appointed as Knoxville's new Poet Laureate by Mayor Indya Kincannon. He succeeds Rhea Carmon, who previously held the esteemed position as the City's third poet laureate, also appointed by Mayor Kincannon in 2020.
Woods is the founder of Po’Boys & Poets, an event that showcases the diverse talents of artists like himself in both Knoxville and Nashville. In addition, he is also the co-founder of Good Guy Collective, a collaborative organization nurturing an environment for artists to create music.
In 2022, Woods participated in
Boundless: Artists in the Archives, a program of the University of Tennessee Libraries that invites artists to dive into the rare and unique items in its special collections to find inspiration for their own artistic endeavors. Woods explored the Dr. C.S. Boyd Photograph Collection, an archive of photographs of African Americans including Boyd, his dental office, and his family who lived in Knoxville in the early 20th century. One of the works he created in the program was "Seed to Sun."
| PERFORMANCES / APPEARANCES
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Saturday, April 26, 2025 - Forging Artistic Freedom and Originality
Debut creative workshop presented by the Knoxville Writers Guild
10 a.m. - noon
Central United Methodist Church
Register
Friday, April 25, 2025 - Mayor's State of the City
11:30 a.m. Covenant Health Park
Free and open to the public
Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Record Store Day
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Lost and Found Records
3710 N. Broadway
Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 - The Poets of The 5th Woman
7:30 p.m. Historic Grove Theater (123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge)
Tickets and info
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Dogwood Arts Festival
5:15 - 6 p.m. World's Fair Performance Lawn
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Mayor's State of the City
10:30 a.m. Tennessee Amphitheater
Saturday, April 20, 2024 - Record Store Day
Lost & Found Records (3710 N. Broadway)
Friday, March 22, 2024
National Black Poet Laureate Society at Big Ears Festival
with Tshaka Campbell, Dasa Ahanue, Dasha Kelly, Rhea "Sunshine" Carmon and Black Atticus
5 p.m. at Regas Square
For festival ticketholders only
Friday, March 22, 2024
Knoxville Poets Laureate: The Fearless Sun Cypher at Big Ears Festival
with RB Morris, Marilyn Kallet, Rhea "Sunshine" Carmon and Black Atticus
6:30 p.m. at Regas Square
For festival ticketholders only
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 - The Black Experience Hip Hop Show
Good Guy Collective presents The Black Experience (Hip-Hop Show) featuring J.Bu$h, Black Skillet, Black Atticus and DJ KGH.
8 p.m.
The Pilot Light (106 E. Jackson Ave.)
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 - Diversity in Spoken Word: Fire and Flow
Performance featuring Black Atticus, Marilyn Kallet, Ryan Andrews and others.
7 p.m. Cumberland County Playhouse.
www.ccplayhouse.com
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 - "Tellers on the Mountain" A Black Appalachian Storytellers Concert
Kelle Jolly produces this second annual show featuring multi-generational Black storytellers. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
1 p.m. Historic Grove Theater (123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge)
thegrovetheater.org
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 - Black History Month reading
1-3 p.m. Pellissippi State, Strawberry Plains campus library
https://www.pstcc.edu/black-history/
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 - The Rhythm of Conversation
7 p.m. Addison's Bookstore
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2024 - Inauguration Ceremony
Mayor Indya Kincannon and elected officials will be sworn in. 10 a.m. Large Assembly Room, City County Building
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 - Poetry Honors event
Soul Food Poetry Cafe honors several spoken word artists and organizations that have made an impact on the poetry community, with live music, poetry performances and awards.
Dinner at 6pm; ceremony at 8pm
City Winery Nashville
Information and tickets
Oct. 28, 2023 - 9th annual Young Creative Writer’s Workshop
Songwriting/Performance Poetry workshop. Event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Strawberry Plains Campus of Pellissippi State Community College.
Sept. 9, 2023 - Knoxville Poet Laureates
A night with Knoxville's current and past poet laureates, Black Atticus and RheaSunshine. 6 p.m. Birdhouse Neighborhood Center, 800 N. 4th Avenue.
Aug. 9, 2023 - Knoxville Poetry Slam Open Mic
Knoxville Poetry Slam's monthly open mic. Attendees are invited to read some of their work. 6:45 - 8:45 p.m. Central Cinema, 1205 N. Central Street.
Knoxville Poetry Slam
Second Wednesday of Every Month
7 p.m.
Central Cinema
Collectively Speaking
Third Thursday Every Other Month
7 p.m.
Central Cinema