Ebo Barton
Six-time Finalist of the Seattle Poetry Slam Grand Slam
Ebo Barton comes from salt— from the moment before worlds converge. In this world, we are still trying to articulate that mixed Black and Filipino, Transgender and Non-Binary, Queer, Artists and Educators not only matter but are precious. In another world, Barton is loved, safe, and valued. The only difference being that the latter is a path they must make themselves. You may have seen Ebo’s work in Natasha Marin’s Black Imagination and heard in the audiobook read by Grammy and Tony award winner, Daveed Diggs. You have also seen Ebo’s work online on Write About Now, Button Poetry, and All Def Poetry channels. In 2016, they placed 5th in the World at Individual World Poetry Slam. In 2017, they co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning play, “Rising Up”. In 2018, they played “Invisible One” in Anastacia Renee’s “Queer. Mama. Crossroads” and reprised the role in 2019. Ebo debuted his first published collection of poetry, Insubordinate in 2020. In 2021, Insubordinate was named a Washington State Book Award Finalist in the Poetry Category and Black Imagination was named a Washington State Award Finalist in the Creative Non-Fiction Category. A leader in arts and activism, Ebo Barton is committed to creating opportunities for others to organize, heal and rejoice. Ebo Barton’s written, performative, and community work demand societal reckoning.