Arisa White

Arisa White is an American poet currently residing in Oakland, California. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she pursued higher education at Sarah Lawrence College and earned her Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

White is an accomplished author with several published books and chapbooks, including "Hurrah's Nest," "A Penny Saved," and "You're the Most Beautiful Thing That Happened." Her shorter works, known as chapbooks, include titles such as "Disposition for Shininess," "Post Pardon," and "Black Pearl." Her poetry has also been featured in various anthologies that touch upon urban landscapes, personal journeys, and spirituality.

Her literary achievements have been recognized through nominations and awards. "Hurrah's Nest" was a finalist for the Wheatley Book Awards and the California Book Awards, and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. "You're the Most Beautiful Thing That Happened" received a nomination for the Lambda Literary Awards. White has also been nominated for Pushcart Prizes on multiple occasions. She is also a Cave Canem fellow, an organization that supports Black poets.

Arisa White has established herself as a notable poet with a significant body of work. Her full-length books include "You're the Most Beautiful Thing That Happened" (2016), "A Penny Saved" (2012), and "Hurrah's Nest" (2012). Complementing these are several chapbooks, such as "Black Pearl" (2016), "dear Gerald" (2015), "Post Pardon" (2014), and "Disposition for Shininess" (2008). The reach of her writing extends into numerous anthologies, appearing in collections like "Street Lit: Representing the Urban Landscape" (2013), "Another & Another: An Anthology From the Grind Daily Writing Series" (2012), and "Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion & Spirituality" (2011). White's contributions have garnered critical attention, with "Hurrah's Nest" being a finalist for prestigious awards including the Wheatley Book Awards and the California Book Awards, alongside an NAACP Image Award nomination. Furthermore, "You’re the Most Beautiful Thing That Happened" earned a nomination for the Lambda Literary Awards, and White herself has been recognized with Pushcart Prize nominations in 2005, 2014, and 2016.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Arisa White's academic journey in poetry led her to Sarah Lawrence College and later to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she completed her MFA. Her dedication to the craft of poetry is further evidenced by her fellowship with Cave Canem, an organization committed to fostering the growth of Black poets. This affiliation underscores her engagement with a community that values and promotes diverse poetic voices and perspectives. Her work, often featured in collections that explore varied themes from urban life to spiritual exploration, reflects a commitment to engaging with contemporary issues and personal narratives.