Peace

Rafael Arturo (also known as Rafael Arturo Shabazz) is an Afro-Latino 1st Gen Dominican-American Spoken Word Poet, Published Author and Published Photographer from Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts. Arturo identifies with the lineage of Beat Poetry, a medium of Poetry founded by Allen Ginsberg in the early 1940's, gaining key leaders such as Amiri "Leroi Jones" Baraka, Jack Kerouac and more. His journey with Poetry began as a Spanish first language student attending the William E. Russell Elementary School while enrolled in English as Secondary Language class studying English Literature and falling in deep admiration for the works of Langston Hughes. Using poetry as an outlet of expression and education, Arturo being an active dance performer, athlete and public speaker since a young age eventually growing into becoming a writer to tell his story later on. 

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Publishing his first book "I. See. Above. All. Convolutions", in September 2019 through Author House Publishing, a compilation of poems deriving from Afro-Spiritualism, Indigenous Study, Sociological Observation & Jazz. A memoir exploring his upbringing in Boston, Massachusetts, sharing stories about depression, struggle, family trauma, racism and friendship. After the release of his first novel, his first official poetry performance took place at Massachusetts College of Art & Design performing "Sunflower Seeds", a poem in from the book. Ever since then, Rafael has produced a listening poetry album called "A New Afro Latino Beat Poet", performing all over Massachusetts, (below a list of all places performed at). Arturo has profoundly stamped his mark in the state of Massachusetts as a poet to look forward to. Speaking to the every day life of an Afro Latino living in America, allowing his audience to become fully immersed in his observations and analysis of racism, inequality, injustice, confidence, language and spirituality.