Javon Johnson – “Black and Happy” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“You cannot kill blackness.
Too much of it is wrapped in an unshakable joy.
And ain’t that why they think we magic in the first place?”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Javon Johnson, featuring at Button Poetry Live, November 2016. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Best of 2016 #5: Crystal Valentine – “And the News Reporter Says Jesus Is White”

Best of 2016 #5:
Crystal Valentine – “And the News Reporter Says
Jesus Is White”

“How can she say Jesus was a white man when he died
the blackest way possible? With his hands up,
with his mother watching.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in fifth on the list, “And the News Reporter Says Jesus Is White” by Crystal Valentine. Congratulations Crystal!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Hasani Harris – “Dancing in Solidarity” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“When your body matches the music of someone else’s rhythm, it is
a miracle. You are something larger than yourself.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Hasani Harris, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Khary Jackson – “Slay” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“Who say I gotta dress carefully, so maybe I won’t get shot,
get profiled, get rejected for a job?”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Khary Jackson, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Danez Smith – “Dear White America” (250K Views!)

“I count my brothers, and in the morning when some do not
survive to be counted, I count the holes they leave.”

Congratulations to Button author Danez Smith on topping 250,000 views on this powerful poem. Check out this poem and more from Danez in his book, black movie.



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Aaron Coleman!

Ajanae Dawkins – “Sestina for Black Badgers” (Rustbelt 2016)

Performing at Rustbelt 2016.

“And if that ain’t a magic trick – for the sun to die with us
daily and come back to watch again.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Ajanae Dawkins, performing during prelims at the 2016 Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam in Columbus, Ohio. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!
While you’re here, head over to
the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Charlotte Abotsi – “On Why I Never Stopped Bleeding” (WOWPS 2016)

Performing at WOWPS 2016.

“Perhaps I have exhausted all tears and I only
know how to bleed.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Charlotte Abotsi, performing at the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam in Brooklyn, NY.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Joseph Capehart – “Bad Ideas” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“How many times have I opened my mouth
only to hear someone else’s voice?”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Joseph Capehart, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Mikkel Snyder – “A Question of Authority” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live

“I have a bank account with $5,000
that I’ve started calling bail.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Mikkel Snyder, performing at Button Poetry Live, July 2016. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Akeem Olaj – “Black Boys, Die Easy” (Southern Fried)

Performing at Southern Fried

“To be a black boy at this moment in time
is to have all your bones broken & still be expected to stand.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Akeem Olaj, performing at the 2016 Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Greensboro, NC. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.