Recent Posts

INTERVIEWED BY DHAYANA  ALEJANDRINA  Welcome, Noire Family, In this interview, I had the pleasure to sit down with the talented and amazing writer, Fedana Toussaint, as she offers a captivating glimpse into her inspirational journey, delving into her roots, the reasons driving her creative endeavors, exciting future projects, and more. Please join me in welcoming Fedana Toussaint to Afrique Noire Magazine! Can you share a bit about your background and what initially inspired you to pursue writing/poetry?   I am a Haitian poet from Toronto, Ontario. Through numerous evolutions, writing and connecting have become my means of making sense of it all. I observe countless individuals experiencing pain, love, longing, grief, and silence, often struggling to articulate their emotions, while I find myself equipped with the words. In a world where love seems scarce, I possess an abundance. Writing is my responsibility; it’s using a natural gift to remind people that the human experience isn’t as solitary as it may appear. We all undergo moments of grief, love, pain, and longing, all seeking connection. I willingly position myself as that bridge to connection.   How does your identity, including cultural background, influence your writing and the themes you explore? In what ways do you navigate the intersection of your personal identity and the broader cultural context in your work?   My life journey has been marked by displacement, discrimination, and the stifling of trauma that doesn’t align with societal norms. I’ve encountered the distinct misogyny known as misogynoir at every turn. Having navigated both the artistic realm and the corporate world, particularly in the legal field, I’ve felt the sting of being a Black woman who doesn’t conform to expectations. I write from a place of understanding the struggles of little Black girls silenced by their abusers, of daughters abandoned by their fathers, and of children forced to raise themselves. My words echo the experiences of Black women navigating a world that too often dismisses their qualifications despite their education. My depth of understanding stems from a wealth of lived experiences. I speak for the heartbroken, the lovers navigating a dating scene devoid of genuine love, and those who have lost love to violence and ego. I don’t detach myself from my work; instead, I intertwine my experiences with my art. People don’t just want to be lectured; they want to be engaged, felt, and heard. I proudly declare that my art achieves just that, delving deeper into the human experience than mere “writing” ever could.   How would you describe your creative process? Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you get into the writing mindset?   My creative process is honesty. I navigate my own truth and connect it with the truth of others. Whether it’s at a coffee shop, with music in my ears, or quietly feeling the world around me, my approach is organic – I simply live life as it comes.   Who are your literary or poetic influences, and how have they shaped your work?   Nikki Giovanni is my favorite voice to listen to. She captures life and stories in a surreal way. Surrealism is not just for visual artists; it does wonders in poetry, and she masters her voice so well that you could read a piece and be transformed by it. You could find yourself in her words, and that’s important. Maya Angelou lived so much life, our stories are so similar that sometimes I feel like I’m reading a biography of things I experienced and the alchemy of making them beautiful. She inspires me by showing me that my story is enough and that it doesn’t end at the bad stuff. Langston Hughes feels like a sermon on blackness and beauty. He speaks to his time so well, and I aspire to speak to mine just as clearly and beautifully. Bell Hooks and Toni Morrison bring such intellect to their prose and poetry that you learn a hundred things in every sentence. I aspire to capture thoughts profoundly and to have them be adapted into such beautiful and impactful images. I want to be the poet that curriculums are created for, and it’s because of them. Pablo Coelho is the first time I ever read the word Alchemist and I am forever transformed.   What challenges do you face as a writer/poet, and how do you overcome them?   My greatest challenge lies in believing in my voice and overcoming the perfectionism in my work. I often question whether my intentions will resonate through the stroke of my pen, and whether my output is either excessive or inadequate. There’s a persistent fear that my message won’t reach the audience in time. To combat these doubts, I confront the reality that imposter syndrome isn’t just a concept—it’s a tangible struggle. Despite my inner doubts, I remind myself that I deserve to be heard and felt, regardless of how often I try to convince myself otherwise.   Could you share one of your favorite pieces or an excerpt from a project that holds personal significance? What does it mean to you?   I heard a black woman scream today She was on her way to the furnace To lay the sun at its feet And command the fire to let her sunshine I watched her black man panic at her side She stares at him and tells him Adam keep your damn feet on the ground And your wits about you I need one of us conscious So blink now if you must Cause they will take our sun And call me nothing but corpse Nothing but black hole If you don’t keep your eyes on me I watched beings dressed in white and blue Surround the cloud where she laid her brown She halts her protest to the pain to pray “GOD PLEASE LET THE WATER THAT WASH ME” NOT THROW ME OUT OF THIS BODY” Her belly entered the light first She asks for comfort And