Brian Voice Porter Hawkins

We were devastated to learn that Brian Voice Porter - a prominent Alabama poet, performer, teacher, and community activist who had presented three well-received talks at our recent annual conference - passed away suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this week.

Voice was a gifted artist and an exceptionally warm and gracious spirit who couldn't help but inspire those with whom he came into contact. Here are some links to several articles celebrating Voice's enormous contribution to the literary arts in Alabama:

“Brian Porter Hawkins is an Alabama Bright Light triggering a renaissance through Ensley Alive” by Karim Shamsi-Basha (Alabama News Center)

“5 reasons why Birmingham needs to know Brian Voice Porter Hawkins” (Bhmam Now)

“Brian Voice Porter Reading for Shelter in Magic Reading Series” (Magic City Poetry Festival)

“Brian Voice Porter Hawkins” (Starbucks Stories)

“Birmingham Poet And Activist Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins Dies At 42” (WBMH)

“Brian ‘Voice Porter’ Hawkins, Birmingham artist/poet, dies at 42” (Birmingham Times)

“Birmingham mourning death of poet, activist Brian 'Voice Porter' Hawkins” (WVTM 13)

We will be posting Voice's presentations to our YouTube channel very soon. We were honored by his presence in life, and we count ourselves lucky to have these recordings as reminders of Voice's rich and deep reservoir of creative insight.

And we hold Voice’s words forward as an inspiration for Alabama writing community.

“I think success in the community depends on more community events and people. .. I think success in a community is: community.”

- Brian Voice Porter