Jesse Sharpe

Jesse Sharpe is the author of over 20 books. Comfortable with various genres, he has a unique ability to use poetry to convey his message. Born in March of 1959, my early ears were shaped by the culture and event of Washington, D.C. I'm not exactly sure what prompted me on this road. I do recall writing poetry in middle school (Garnet Patterson), of which the highlight was being escorted to Mr. Henry's, a famous restaurant and lounge in Georgetown. I won a second-place award for my poem on peace and saving the environment. I fell in love with the singer, Roberta Flack, that summer. Along with check for $100 check, I was also presented with her album, Quiet Fire. I was certain that her song called Jesse was written just for me.

In high school (Cardozo) I was nominated as the most artistic male student, but it was during my college years at Eckerd College that my literary skills really began to blossom. While visiting. Maya Angelou actually read one of my poems. My so-called claim to fame was the collection of poems I wrote for my senior thesis.

After graduating from Eckerd I started teaching at Roots Activity Learning Center, an independent African-centered school. This is when I wrote and published my first My Afri-bets Learning Book" Pictures, Poetry and ABCs, and Hurry home. As you might imagine, by then I was bitten by the writing bug. As a teacher at Roots I was influences by being exposed to such African-centered thinkers, educators, and activists as Frances Cress-Welsing, Asa Hilliard, Leonard Jeffries, Aklyn Lynch, and Chancellor Williams, Jesse McDade Bey, and many, many others. As mentioned, this is when I published, "My Afri-bets Learning Book", which is a hands-on workbook that combines poetry, drawings, and handwriting while expose the child to African-centered concepts.

"Hurry Home” was another book that I wrote while a teacher at roots. Using poetry, it expresses the pain and passion of lost and distant lovers. I consider this as my flagship book.

I have written and published many books since those first few that I’ve mentioned. Somewhere I fell in love with the form of poetry called haiku. An example of the form which consists of 3 lines of 5 syllables for the first line, 7 for the second, and 5 syllables for the third line is presented below.

remembering mom

piano keys are talking

in a smoky room

Several books later, I have written books across several genres. Topics range from affirmations, mediation, love, personal growth, and African-centered thought. I've also published a resource book for African-Centered study called "Words Flowing Up South" and soon to be released, "Words Flowing Up South; Revised." Another title that I enjoyed putting together is "Personal Passion", a collaboration with some exceptional photographers and models to combine poetry with artistic nude photos. I call this phoetry, meaning a combination of poetry and photography.

To talk about my various one by one would be a book in of itself. Let’s just say this, my mission is to share my gift with the world. My success as a writer does not equate to book sales, although making best seller lists have their benefits. Success for me is when my writing is in sync with my Divine Purpose. That purpose includes helping other writers get their works published through my company, Sharpe Publications, and hosting writing and book publishing workshops.

Contact me for book signings and publishing workshops at jesse.sharpe@verizon.com. You can also see my poetry of my haiku at Home (empowerposters.com).

Peace