biography

George Edward Tait was born in Oakland and raised in Harlem. He graduated from Pace University in 1968 with a B.A. in English Language and Literature and a minor in French Language and Literature after being a member of the literary society and The Pace Press. From 1968-1972, he taught and tutored English at Queens College while conducting Creative Writing workshops. Defining music as the poetry of sound, Tait became a bandleader and from 1972 to 1975 spearheaded a group called Black Massical Music In 1975, Tait founded The Society of Afrikan Poets and produced a seven year series of weekly poetry readings entitled Black Words for a Wednesday Night which ended in 1982. While teaching at Malcolm-King College (1981-1986), his first volume of poetry At War was published in 1983, the same year he was named The Poet Laureate of Afrikan Nationalism by leaders of the nationalist community, a title he still holds eighteen years later (2001).

Several of Tait's poems and articles were published by the New York Amsterdam News between 1979 and 1991. During this period, another volume of poetry At Arms was published in 1992 in addition to his work being included in the landmark anthology Brotherman; The Odyssey of Black Men in America (1995).

Tait insists that the poet must be historian, journalist, and prophet. As such, he has incorporated these three aspects in a soon-to-be published metaphysical opus entitled Sunsight: Contemporary Patterns of Cosmic Phenomena." In addition, the year 2001 will host the completion of the third part of his monumental trilogy which commenced with At War and continued with At Arms.

George Edward Tait, the multi-talented musician, educator, and activist, is also known as The Poet Laureate of Harlern. He has performed his poetry thousands of times for over a quarter century and, ultimately, utilizes his genius as a weapon of culture and a tool of liberation.

BIOGRAPHY
macrocosm

1996-2001	Chairman: Afrikan World Commission; President: Afrikamunaversati (Pan-African Community University); Director of Men’s Program: Friends of Island Academy Instructor: La Guardia Community College. ADDENDA: Poet-in-residence, National Conference of Artists New York, Poet-in-residence, Attitude: The Dancers’ Magazine Poet-in-residence, Harlem Branch Library Editor, DMS Drumbeat Free-lance journalist, New York Amsterdam News Instructor: Empire State College (Black Images in the Media – Impact and Influence); Ifetayo Cultural Arts Facility, Inc. (Rites of Passage and Cultural History); Crown Heights Youth Collective (Jazz History). Lectures: House of the Lord Church; Church of Imani; Clarke House; Dr. Ben’s House; First World Alliance; Afrikan Echoes; Cemotap; Oberia D. Dempsey Center; Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center; Mart 125; Department of Transportation; Borough of Manhattan Community College; Wadleigh Secondary School Workshops: Afrikan Poetry Theater; Harlem Branch Library; 115th St. Branch Library; 8+ Academy Living Poets Series; Little Flower Children’s Services; Jobs for Youth Apprenticeship Program. Poetry Readings: African Burial Ground; Coney Island Beach; Marcus Garvey Park; Sistas’ Place; Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; Harriet Tubman Learning Center; Henry Highland Garnet School of Success; Basement of Dreams; National Black Theater; Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center; Harlem Branch Library; Countee Cullen Branch Library; One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Street Branch Library; 96th St. Branch Library; Lefrak City Branch Library; Roosevelt Branch Library; Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Art Gallery; Taller LatinoAmericano; St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church; Flushing Town Hall; Kensico Dam Plaza; Oberia D. Demsey Center; Javitz Center; York College; Brooklyn Museum, Boys and Girls High School; Skylight Gallery; Aaron Davis Hall.
1993-1995	President, Chairman & CEO of The Tait Estate, Ltd. Incorporated in Ghana and New York. with subsidiaries in including Afrikan Power Academy, Afrikan World Commission, Afrikan World Cooperative, Food Awakenings, and Taitland Techstyle. ADDENDA: Anthologized in the 1995 Landmark Publication of Brotherman - An Odyssey of the Black Man in America (The opening selection of 154 contributors). Poem published in Winter, 1994 issue of Attitude Magazine Taught cultural history (to children) at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Facility (1993) Board of Directors: Afrikan Warrior System for Self Defense (1993)
1992	Published: At Arms: Selected Poems of George Edward Tait
1987-1991	Administrator / President of Afrikan Nationalist Pioneer Movement (The legendary orthodox Afrikan Nationalist organization that was founded by Carlos A. Cooks in 1941). Established Afrikan Freedom School which offered nation building courses for adults (agriculture, aeronautics, metallurgy, etc.) and a self-esteem building program for children. Also established The Liberty Lounge -- an Afrikan holistic cultural center which featured live presentations seven nights a week and twice on Sunday. Grand Marshal: Marcus Garvey Day Parade (The 1987 Centennial Parade).
1982-1986	Faculty member: Malcolm-King College. Taught Research and Communications Skills, Developmental Writing, Survey of Social Sciences, Prospectives in Black Cultural Arts, and a creative writing workshop. ADDENDA Charter member of Afrikan Nationalist Federation (1985-1987). Named Poet Laureate of Afrikan Nationalism Published: At War: Selected Poems of George Edward Tait (1983)
1975 -1982	President: The Society of Afrikan Poets which produced seven straight years of poetry readings in a historic 360 week series entitled Black Words for a Wednesday Night. The series featured Afrikan poets from around the world and showcased such periodic presentations as Poetessence, Poeminence, A PanAfrikan Festival of Poetry, Poetpourri, and Black Poetry Jam Session. ADDENDA: Anthologized in the debut publication of ` Steppingstones (1982). Information and Propaganda Chairman: United Black Organizations of New York City (1979-1982). Completed African Leadership Training Course Artistic and Executive Director: of Afrikan Functional Theater. The Theater defined itself as a theater of war and featured seven days of programming including: Black Stage for a Saturday Night; The Symposium; Afrikan Studies for a Saturday Afternoon; Saturday Morning Special (Black Culture for Black Children, and The Afrikan Liberation Musik X-Spirit-Mental Workshop. It also established two stores: Pan-Afrikanteen (a culture mini-market) and The Taste Place (a health food luncheonette) l976-l 982. Office Manager: Akinyi Reality (1976 - 1978).
1972-1975	Band leader: Black Massical Music and Afrikan Martial Musik L Recorded the 1975 unreleased album Will You Please Git Your Picnic Basket off the Battle-field. Performed at numerous culture centers, universities, and libraries -- also radio and t.v. ADDENDA: Producer of the Charlie Parker Conference on Black Music (1975). The theme was "Music is a Multi-Billion Dollar Business: When Will The Creators Take Control?" · Producer of a four day program entitled The Louis Armstrong-Fats Navarro Black Music Festival and Forum in Harlem (1975). Music Director: Malcolm XArt Center (1975). · Musician-in-Residence at House of Kuumba (1974). Acting Manhattan Borough Chairman for African Liberation Support Committee (1974) Editor/ Publisher: Cosmic Colors (ABlack Music Magazine) 1974 · Curator and featured artist for The Black Solar Art Gallery (1973). Chairman: Pan-Alkebu-Lan Rhythm Association which produced programs honoring Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and Carlos Cooks (1973). Composer, sound editor, and actor for film Oh! My God!(1972).
1968-1972	Faculty Member: Queens College S.E.E.K. Program. Taught English class, conducted creative writing workshop, and tutored. ADDENDUM: Founder and Director: The People Players (dance and drama group) which produced and performed .The Cycle and Chains (two original works) (1970-
1965-1968	Attended and graduated from Pace University. B.A. in English Language and Literature with minor in French language and literature. Made Dean's List twice, on fencing team, rifle team, Pace Press, literary society, Torchbearers Drama Group, Pace Chorus, and Pace Broadcasting station. ADDENDUM: Real estate salesman for Robert B. Cooper Realty Corporation 1965).