The revolution will rhyme...
2024 National Sports Emmy Winner!
Dick Schaap Outstanding Writing
Jillian Hanesworth
"I hope I can help the Black community realize that we are not just beautiful because we are resilient, we're beautiful because we exist."
Welcome to my revolution! I am a spoken word artist from Buffalo, NY, and the first poet laureate of Buffalo! I truly believe in the power of art and the power of the people. Those beliefs combined, embody my art and my heart. Everything I do is for the people, and for the culture.
Mourning Until Morning
This poem was commissioned by AKG Museum and is currently on display as a part of Before and After Again - an exhibition on display at AKG from March 8, 2024 until September 30, 2024
Support Buffalo Books!
Since its inception, the Buffalo Books project has placed over one thousand books into the hands of members of Buffalo’s East and West side communities. This project is successful due to the support of people like you! If you’d like to purchase books for the community, click the link below!
About Jillian
Jillian Hanesworth is Buffalo’s former and founding poet laureate. Born and raised on the East side, she began writing at age 7, composing songs for her mother's church performances. Through her art, she challenges, validates, and educates her community. Jillian founded Buffalo Books, a nationally recognized literacy access program that has allowed for the placement of 30+ library boxes on the East Side of Buffalo and provided over 1,000 free, and brand new culturally relevant books to residents of Buffalo.
In 2024 Jillian was the recipient of a national Sports Emmy in the Dick Schaap Outstanding Writing category for her ”Still Here” collaboration with the NFL Network, poetically documenting the pain, trauma and resilience of the City of Buffalo. Currently, she sits on the board of directors for Compass House and IIUTU Media in addition to traveling nationwide writing, performing, teaching, and speaking truth to power, all in the name of love for her people.
"The important thing is that you’re true to yourself because you have got something to give to the world that nobody in the whole world can give. We ain't talkin' about Jill Scott, we talkin’ about Jill Hanesworth."