Kavon Cortez-Jones loves Milwaukee. The poet and lifelong resident calls the city the "Paris of the Midwest" in his new book, Club Noir. Cortez-Jones' debut release is bursting with references to local landmarks, area musicians, and beloved regional institutions. The majority of the book—which features works written between the ages of 18 and 21—comes from a place of love and appreciation, but through acknowledging some of the difficulties faced while growing up on Milwaukee's north side, some poems also indirectly shed a light on the city's issues with segregation.
Host Tyler Maas caught up with the up-and-coming Milwaukee poet at Riverwest Public House. Cortez-Jones talked about his introduction to this often-overlooked art form, the upbringing and experiences that inform his work, and why he holds Milwaukee in such high regard. Oh, and they talk about Cheetos for a while, too.
