Kalamu ya Salaam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kalamu ya Salaam
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Vallery Ferdinand III
March 24, 1947 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
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| Education | Carleton College; Delgado Junior College |
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Kalamu ya Salaam (born March 24, 1947) is an American poet, author, filmmaker, and teacher. He comes from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. Salaam is well-known as an activist and social critic. This means he speaks out about important issues. He has often focused on racial justice and human rights. For many years, he hosted radio shows on WWOZ. Salaam also helped start the NOMMO Literary Society. This is a weekly group for Black writers.
Early Life and Education
Kalamu ya Salaam was born Vallery Ferdinand III. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He finished high school in 1964. After that, he joined the U.S. Army. He served in Korea for a time.
He attended Carleton College from 1964 to 1969. Later, he studied at Delgado Junior College. There, he earned a degree in business administration.
His Work as a Writer and Editor
Kalamu ya Salaam has a long history in publishing. He was the editor of The Black Collegian magazine. He worked there for 13 years, from 1970 to 1983. He has also written for many other publications. These include Negro Digest/Black World and The Black Scholar. He also wrote for Callaloo and The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
He is also a co-founder and editor of Runagate Press. This is a publishing company. Today, he runs Neo-Griot. This is an online blog. It shares information about Black literature.
Activism and Community Work
Kalamu ya Salaam is known for his strong voice. He speaks out on issues of fairness and human rights. He has used his writing and radio shows to share his views.
His radio shows on WWOZ helped share his messages. He used these shows to talk about important social topics. The NOMMO Literary Society is another key part of his work. This group helps support and develop Black writers. It provides a place for them to share their work.
Salaam's work shows his dedication. He wants to improve society. He uses his talents as a writer, filmmaker, and teacher to make a difference.
