Kenji Jasper

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Kenji Jasper

Kenji Jasper is a writer.^[1] At 30, Kenji Jasper can boast of a 16-year career in writing and journalism, which began when he published his first article as an intern for The Washington Informer newspaper at the age of 13. At 14, he became a contributor to Black Entertainment Television's YSB Magazine, and later worked as a writer/instructor at The Institute for the Preservation and Study of African American Writing. He also served as an on-air personality for WTTG Fox 5's Newsbag .(1986-1987), and later as one of the founding cast members of Black Entertainment Television's Teen Summit (1989-1993). By the time he graduated from Morehouse College in 1997, his journalism had appeared in VIBE, Essence, The Village Voice, Upscale, The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union Tribune, and The Atlanta Tribune .

But creative writing has always been his true love. He penned his first novel, Dark , at the age of 21. It has since been released in the United Kingdom and translated into French. It was later optioned to be made into a film by State Street Pictures(Soul Food, Barbershop, Roll Bounce) and Fox Searchlight Pictures.

His second novel, Dakota Grand, was published in September of 2002 and met praise from Publishers Weekly, VIBE, Essence, The Chicago Sun-Times and Africana.com among many others. His latest novel, Seeking Salamanca Mitchell , was published in July 2004.

Mr. Jasper has contributed articles and essays to National Public Radio, The Village Voice, VIBE, The Charlotte Observer, The Chicago Sun-Times and Essence among many other publications. He is currently co-editing Beats, Rhymes and Life , a collection of critical writings on hip hop culture with writer/director Ytasha Womack, for publication in May of 2007. He is also the CEO and Editor of The Armory, a publishing partnership with Akashic Books. Its first release, Got by first-time author D, will be published in February of 2007.His most recent work is The House on Childress Street (published January, 2006). His previous works include Dark, which National Public Radio profiled, and Dakota Grand.^[2]