theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Kevin Powell as guest for the kick off of Season 4.
Kevin Powell is a renowned American poet, writer, and human rights activist, widely recognized for his influential work in literature, journalism, and social justice. Raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Powell overcame significant adversity and poverty to become a leading voice on issues of race, masculinity, and equality in America.
Powell has authored 16 books, including the memoir The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood and the poetry collection Grocery Shopping with My Mother, which earned a GRAMMY nomination. His journalism has appeared in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and Vibe, where he was a founding senior writer.
"When We Free the World": Powell's Directorial Debut
In 2025, Kevin Powell made his directorial debut with the documentary When We Free the World, co-written and produced with Evangeline Lawson. The film gathers the voices of 70 Black men—from teenagers to men in their 90s—to explore the question: What does it really mean to be a man? This multigenerational, deeply personal documentary confronts and redefines masculinity, drawing on stories from across five generations and a spectrum of identities.
Powell spent six years developing the film, carrying it through the COVID pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the #MeToo era. The documentary is intended to spark dialogue and action about manhood, identity, and social change. It features an all-Black-male original soundtrack curated by multi-GRAMMY-nominated producer Vidal Davis, with the closing credits debuting the single “I’m A Man,” inspired by the iconic Civil Rights-era “I AM A MAN” protest posters.
The film premiered in Los Angeles at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater in April 2025 and has screened in cities such as Chicago and Toledo, Ohio. Powell describes the project as a unique, honest, and layered exploration of Black male identity, aiming to inspire understanding, compassion, and meaningful conversation about masculinity in America.
When We Free the World stands as a powerful extension of Kevin Powell’s lifelong commitment to storytelling, activism, and social transformation.
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