Jayne Cortez

was an African-American poet, activist, small press publisher and spoken-word performance artist whose voice is celebrated for its political, surrealistic and dynamic innovations in lyricism and visceral sound. Her writing is part of the canon of the Black Arts Movement. Cortez was the Co-Founder of OWWA, the Organization of Women Writers of Africa and the originator of Yari Yari, “Continuing the Dialogue” a series of conferences connecting women writers, scholars and artists of African descent in conversation with a global audience.