Aaron Samuels was raised in Providence, Rhode Island, by a Jewish mother and a Black father. He is a Cave Canem Fellow and a nationally acclaimed performer. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, featured on TV’s One’s Verses & Flow, and has appeared in many journals including Tidal Basin Review and Muzzle Magazine.  His debut collection of poetry, Yarmulkes & Fitted Caps, was released by Write Bloody Publishing in fall 2013.