Kwame Alexander on Creativity, Confidence and the Power of Words |

What can a love of reading make possible? Anything! This week, we welcome Kwame Alexander, poet, educator, Emmy Award-winning producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author of 47 books, including The Crossover, The Undefeated, Black Star and Say Yes. Kwame shares how books and reading shaped his life and his journey as a writer. Together, we explore how creativity and confidence can help us find our voices, open our imaginations and, even when we’re given a “no,” find the courage to keep looking for the “yes.” Kwame is the founder of the literacy nonprofit One Word at a Time. He also opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana. His work invites readers of all ages to imagine what’s possible. Until next time — peace, love and rebloom 🌸 Lori & Jamie Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KwameAlexanderBooks/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/kwamealexander/ Website: kwamealexander.com [http://kwamealexander.com/] YouTube:    / @bookishwkwamealexander   One Word at a Timeonewordcommunity.org [http://onewordcommunity.org/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onewordorg IG: https://www.instagram.com/onewordorg 00:00 Introduction to Rebloom Podcast 01:20 Lori's Magical Summer and Future Plans 02:20 Introducing Kwame Alexander 04:10 What role did books play for you as you were growing up? 06:20 Writing and Family: A Poem for His Daughter 08:20 Inspiration and Writing for Children 10:00 Why are you drawn to speaking to children, writing for children, and teaching them? 15:00 Emmy Nominations and New Opportunities 21:40 Fostering a Love for Reading 28:20 Philosophy of Perseverance and Self-Belief 33:20 Conclusion and Reflections