Dipped in Cerulean is the debut collection by Washington, D.C. poet Brandon Douglas, winner of the 2023 DC Poet Project. The book documents the author’s coming of age, including his experiences from youth to fatherhood and from student to teacher.
"Navigates the waters of deep parental love, social justice, and the Black experience with gentle honesty, thoughtful reflection and jolting sensitivity. A deeply connecting collection."
— Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, author of The Summoning of Black Joy
"Here are poems that survive the dusk and dawn, and the crosshairs on Black men’s hearts."
— E. Ethelbert Miller, literary activist
"Details what we deserve (safety), what we want (a place and a chance to be loved), what others can't take (our voices), and what we need (some boots...with the straps)."
—Rebecca Bishophall, co-author, Breaking the Blank
Brandon Douglas is a poet and arts educator working in schools, detention centers, and community centers. He began writing raps in middle school and later melded poetry and hip hop into spoken word compositions. Father of two young girls, he is 2023 winner of the DC Poet Project, an annual competition hosted to surface and support exceptional poets. Past winners of the competition include Dominic McDonald, Jenn Koiter, John Johnson, and Susan Meehan.
Published October 10, 2023.
Cover art © Yetunde Sapp, used by permission.