Words Make
Us Who We Are
Poet • Author • Teaching Artist
Phillip Shabazz
Writing that examines community, culture, and the lived experience in America.
Phillip Shabazz is a poet, author, and teaching artist whose work explores the intersections of identity, family, and social experience in the United States.
His poetry and prose are recognized for their clarity, emotional precision, and commitment to human connection, offering narratives that reflect both personal history and collective life.
Phillip was nominated by the North Carolina Arts Council for the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, in recognition of his contributions to arts education and community engagement.
He is also the creator of Living Words, an ongoing series of creative writing workshops focused on imagination, expression, and the power of language.
Latest Projects
Middle Ground
Phillip Shabazz captures the innocence and whims of youth to such a fine degree, both adolescents and their elders will find themselves on these pages. Flowing seamlessly through the seasons, Shabazz masterfully and metaphorically invites readers into a kaleidoscope of emotions and life experiences. Tender moments like first love, first paycheck, basketball finesse balance the harsh realities of family imprisonment, peer drowning, actualities of poverty.
— Linda Vigen Phillips, author of Crazy
Bubblegum Moon
Bubblegum Moon is a playful, richly imaginative illustrated collection of poetry crafted specifically for young hearts and minds.
The collection invites children and families into a world where everyday moments transform into extraordinary adventures.
With whimsical illustrations by Jessica Rigsbee that bring each page to life, Bubblegum Moon captures the adventure, wonder, and joy of childhood, making it a perfect read-aloud experience for the classroom or the bedside.
Pearls in the Sea
“In a world that seems more fraught with trouble each passing day, Phillip Shabazz reminds us of the power of creativity, human connection, and the magic of writing. Shabazz has a gift when it comes to seeing light, and guiding others toward it. Pearls In The Sea highlights the importance of individuality and everyone's right to speak up and speak out.”
— Michael Jakubiak