An Evening with Roy Kinsey

Chicago native, rapper, and librarian Roy Kinsey credits Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns as a foundational text that has deeply informed his lyricism as an MC. In An Evening with Roy Kinsey: A Legacy Project, an intimate presentation at the Poetry Foundation, Kinsey will share more about the Black storytellers who have been essential to shaping his craft, the urgency of preserving Black literary culture through rap music, and his history.

Kinsey’s tenth studio album, A Westside Story: A Legacy Project, due fall 2024, firmly focuses on growing up in an ever-changing Chicago. Part listening session, part performance, and part album discussion, An Evening with Roy Kinsey: A Legacy Project gives audience members a rare look behind the veil into Kinsey’s creative process. This event is part of the Black Power Series, complementing the world premiere of Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution. All events in the Black Power Series are free and open to the public.

June 6, 2024 | Poetry Foundation (61 W Superior St., Chicago, IL, 60654) | Doors at 6:30pm | Presentation at 7:00pm

In-Person Attendance
Masks are strongly encouraged at the Poetry Foundation and available. The Foundation reserves the right to update this policy if community levels of COVID-19 increase significantly. Read our full COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines.

Livestream Attendance
We will be livestreaming this event for guests unable to attend in person. Please register by 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 5. The livestream link will be shared with registered guests prior to the event.

The Poetry Foundation’s events are completely free of charge and open to the public. This event will include CART captioning and ASL interpretation. For more information about accessibility at the Poetry Foundation, please visit our Accessibility Guide.

Photo of Roy Kinsey courtesy of the artist.