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Day Acoli

Day Acoli has always been a writer. As far back as elementary school she was known for her story writing and performances in talents shows. She often says she couldn’t do math, but she could write a story in a heartbeat.

“Poetry was always my thing,” she said. “I can remember being in eleventh grade creative writing class and y was wowed by work.”

A friend gave her the best advice she’s gotten thus far. “It is selfish to hoard your art; people need to be moved by you.” So in her senior year of high school at sixteen, Acoli began venturing to local open mic spots in the city.

“The first place I read at was called Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center and Cafe and I read a poem called Slow Song that is about a page long,” Acoli said.

The microphone proved to be additive. Acoli began attending regular events, helped plan and manage several events, hosting area open mics and participating in large shows opening for national acts, theater productions and more. Writing opened numerous doors for her including jobs writing for the news desk of the local newspaper, a sports entertainment executive and a speaker and teacher.

Her biggest venture into poetry came in 2002 when she organized a poetic theater piece called Black Woman Love. It featured three women and a live band in spoken word burlesque style interpretation of the black woman’s role in the community. It covered AIDS, rape, suicide, religion and sexuality. “It was successful and I was 19 at the time that I put it together. It made me feel good to add something to the scene.”

Since then, Acoli has traveled the country performing and honing her art.

She released her first book, a collection of love poems called Black Lips Kissing in 2001 after graduating high school. The book contains the fabled Nike Poem which kept Acoli from being aired during NBA All Star weekend on ESPN.

Next, Acoli recorded a CD of poems she wrote while traveling the poetry scene. The album is called, Soultron: The Gospel According to Zsudayka Acoli, and features a variety of political and sentimental poems.

Acoli followed her debut album up with her second book, Metaphorical Soul Sidewalks, a choreopoem about achieving self-love. “I thought there needed to be some work out now that reflected the struggle for positive black identity. It is a story to be read from beginning to end.”

She took a break from poetry for over a year to devote time to putting together an after school program and a black arts festival in her city. “I think it’s important for me to provide an opportunity for positive images of black people to flood all of our communities,” Acoli said. “That is how we defeat race perceptions.” The festival is every August and showcases local black artists, sculptors, restaurants, and entertainment.

Acoli also wrote a one-woman show, Aurora Borealis, chronicling her tumultuous relationship with God. She wrote her first novel, Muddying the Waters, at the end of last year. The novel deals with black colleges and the lessons they teach youth of color and addresses intercultural race issues.

This year, Acoli is back with her long anticipated book and album Fishnet Dreams. The book features poetry and spoken word about everything from gentrification to the walls lovers put up. Most of the poems are preceded by an essay explaining the motivation for writing, breaking down the metaphors and mechanics, and providing historical information and references for readers who need background information.

“This is some of my best and strongest work, not just because it’s my newest, but because it is my most comprehensive, well rounded collection of poetry. It is accessible to all people, all ages, all races and cultures because it is a true reflection of our current times.”

I guess emcees are finally calling her “Queen”.

Available Product: Black Lips Kissing, 2001 $15.00