Black Roses: Odes Celebrating Powerful Black Women

by Harold Green III (Foreword), Rapsody (Foreword)

Narrated by the author. Runtime: 1. 44 hours, 2 Library CDs

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Audiobook, African American, Feminism

2 pages, Audio CD

Published March 15, 2022

Reviews

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poems and illustrations of these 40 Black women are beautiful. Many of the women featured in this collection are notable and some are less well-known but are important to Green's life. The poems have a spoken-word feel and are very accessible to readers. A few lines in Green's poems about Stacey Abrams and Misty Copeland stick with me.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Roses is both an impassioned and gorgeous book. Harold Green utilizes his poetic talents to honor and celebrate Black women who have changed the world and continue to do so. In his introduction, Green says he wants to ensure his poems make Black women seen and recognized. He also explains how he wants to affirm the strength, resilience, and selflessness of Black women because, as he recognizes, “so often they love, support, fight, and care for others without receiving the same in return.” He declares his lofty objectives, and reading his poems is proof he has succeeded in achieving his goal.

I am in great admiration of the mission Green undertook to write an ode for each of the extraordinary women he honors. As a writer and poet myself, I can relate to the challenge and anxiety of wanting to express my gratitude to someone who has been so instrumental in my life. For Green to have taken up this endeavor and written a unique and lovely poem for so many gifted, talented, and influential women, I am in awe of his efforts. Bravo, Harold, for the passion and inspiration of your words. And, bravo, Melissa Koby, for taking the power of Harold’s words and making them resonate more alongside the gorgeous illustrations you created for each woman celebrated in this extraordinary book.

[Yolanda Covington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of him before. After listening to him, I am a big fan.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and extremely moving. This was so impassioned and such a gorgeous book!!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection of poems. I'm also so glad to have finished reading these odes ahead of the author coming to Memphis for his book signing at the city’s only black owned bookstore: DeMoir Books

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook read by the author. These odes are STUNNING! Seriously amazing. I mean, it's a book of odes giving Black women their flowers while they are still here. What more could you ask for?

[Reagan Kapasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the choices of women, the illustrations, ode to Roxane Gay was my favourite

[Myni ~ myniturnspages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prolific.

[Tee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this and the author's intent. Black women need to be recognized and celebrated because unfortunately racism exists and prevents that from happening...

I loved the illustrations, they were so beautiful and so powerful. I also loved that some names were not as familiar and I had to search them after and learn about them. It was such a nice opportunity for that.

What I did not love however, was the writing. I think it was a bit too general and simple for my personal taste. I am not a big fan of odes. I find them a bit awkward to read and feel like they are almost too intimate and personal. So this would be my only complaint about this book. Of course this is entirely my fault as it clearly states on the cover that it is a collection of odes.

But anyways, I definitely recommend this, especially if you're into odes. The illustrations are also wonderful.

[Katie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harold Green III is a phenomenal poet, and his odes to Black women were breath-taking. This was a delightful audiobook.

[Monchichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

BREATHTAKING!!! 🤗🤗🤗

[Chasity R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Beautiful artwork. You can see exactly who he’s writing about thru his work. Very clever. Very uplifting. Very timely. Looking forward to future editions and celebrating more Black women.

[Ashley Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is beautiful. There were some women in this book I hadn’t heard of but stumbling across this collection made me explore their work some more. Green is an excellent poet. The kind of poems that are readable for the people who aren’t exactly poetry experts.

[Adrienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of the work, then something made me turn the pages back to read the introduction. I normally read this first, or skip over altogether without the intent to read, yet I wanted to know how Harold Green came up with the concept "Black Roses" as the foreword cleared that up immediately--give them their roses now.

"Black Roses is a timely creative response to a call of action (instead of call 'for' action) to give love and recognition, a reminder that many brothers see us (sisters) as the sun to their moon (9)". Green explains it as 'emotional equity' not quite sure what his interpretation is yet he refers to the suffering, physical abuse, other abuse we endured. Celebration of affirmations. I guess I'm not sure why he chose these yet most of them I am familiar with their craft, genuine or genuis-ness, gift(s), and work(s).


Harold Green III wrote Ode’s for each Black Rose(s) Women that were mentioned in the small hardcover book:

Sections:

Advocates
Only familiar or read Stacey Abrams work(s)
Learning the others mentioned briefly
Curators
Enjoyed to learn about Eunique Jones Gibson
i. Legacy Defenders

Read Michelle Alexander, before I started working at a prison library
Learned about Nikole with a “k” Hannah-Jones
i. Segregation Now

ii. She’s also known for TV documentary on 1619 project*

Tracee Ellis Ross
i. Girlfriends show

ii. Pattern haircare products

Roxane Gay (read her works)
Innovators
Issa Rae
Janelle Monae
Simon Biles
Tomi Adeyemi
i. Read YA series*

ii. Waiting for the movie adaptation or TV series (Amazon?)

Luminaries
Trailblazers
To many to name.

Work library read.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Such a great idea for a poetry collection. Pulling from various fields including sports, politics, music, art, and activism, Green highlights powerful Black women who have impacted and inspired him. This includes women such as Tarana Burke, Misty Copeland, Kamala Harris, Janelle Monáe, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Jennifer Hudson.

I loved the variety of women highlighted in this collection. It was fun to read poems about women I was familiar with and learn more about women I wasn't. Some of my favorite pieces were those about Black women in Green's own life such as his mother and his sister.

The artwork is absolute perfection. Gorgeous, vibrant portraits of the women highlighted. I really enjoyed Koby's style.

A wonderful collection celebrating the power, ingenuity, perseverance, passion, and love of Black women.

[GorgeousDreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A commendable read, albeit deviating from my initial expectations. I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with this work. Black women undoubtedly deserve recognition and appreciation, and this book serves as a valuable platform that publicly acknowledges their invaluable contributions. While the writing style may not align with my personal preferences, the underlying message is universally well-received. I extend my sincere gratitude to Harold Green for your efforts in advocating on behalf of those who make significant contributions yet receive the least accolades.

[readingsprints_and_chaisips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flowers are to be given to those who are here so that they may enjoy them NOW. I enjoyed this book. In the climate that we are currently in, to hear a Black man who loves Black women because he came from a Black woman is amazing. He saw how beautiful, resilient, strong, moving, conquering, pliable, unwavering, open, loving, and accepting the Black women were in his life. He saw that at home, in his neighborhood, and beyond. He wanted to share with the women around him that HE saw them. And if he saw them, so did everyone else. I loved it!

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really beautiful and intentional in uplifting black women, and I can appreciate the need for this book and the love in it. However, some of these poems were a little repetitive in the praise and language used. I also took issue with how many of them centered not the accomplishments of the women but their motherhood, with that being stated as their greatest achievement and such.

[Alaina Lisanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
Beautifully illustrated and uplifting collection of odes to Black women ranging from famous actors, activists, musicians and politicians and the author’s own family. Some of the poems, which highlighted the women’s accomplishments in short free-verse, we’re a little repetitive, but I enjoyed the lyrical quality and sincere admiration expressed in these poems.

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pairing of Green’s poetry with Melissa Koby’s gorgeous artwork is lovely. The poems are tender and inspiring, and I’d love to use some of these as models for student writing. Always happy to read Chicago poets!

[The Rose Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection! I loved learning about these women, some who I knew and some I didn’t! I think the poet gave a much deserving tribute to these women who broke barriers, expressed themselves, and stayed true to themselves!

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply amazing! I recommend everyone not only buy the book but listen to it as well because hearing from the author made this book 10x better. Especially since it’s a book of poetry! I am definitely buying more from this author!

[Cavak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems that are better read aloud than they are read. Like a true spoken word ode! Loved the references to what these women have accomplished and what they were known for. The illustrations were stylish. I hope that Green has a chance to write another volume someday.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and wonderful poetry. All the non poetry words (forward, introduction, acknowledgments) just adding to the work. I couldn't put this down (luckily, it's only an hour read). The illustrations are magnificent. I'm getting ready to buy it.

[Hilary Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful odes and art.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌹🖤 Black Roses: Odes Celebrating Powerful Black Women by Harold Green III

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

[Roni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not explaining myself

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admiring and celebrating in verse form forty accomplished black women including Simone Biles, Roxanne Gay, Stacy Abrams, and others.

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of poetry giving black women their flowers while they can still smell them. I love everything about this book.

[Ke’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prolific love letter to black women

[Donna - The Bookish One · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book. I can't wait to read Black Oak as well. My favorites in this book was Ode to Keisha Lance Bottoms and Ode to Issa Rae.