Celebrating a 35-Year Legacy: Rajnii Eddins Talks the Power of Black Creativity on The Day With Trae
Blending legacy, art, and community, prolific writer and poet Rajnii Eddins recently stepped into the Black Media Matters studio for a conversation on The Day With Trae, hosted by Trae Holiday. Eddins discussed the 35-year history of the African-American Writers Alliance (AAWA) and explored the impact of narrative ownership.
For Eddins, the journey into the heart of the Black arts movement is deeply personal. As the son of Randee Eddins, the founder of the AAWA, his entire life has been anchored in the intentional cultivation of creative spaces. Reflecting on his roots, Rajjni Eddins shared the deep gratitude he holds for his upbringing.
"It has been such a gift—one of the primary gifts of my life—to be my mother's son,” he said. “She saw there was some space that was necessary to create for holding space for our value as Black creatives from a place of integrity, and recognizing our own brilliance and beauty on our terms and being compensated accordingly."
The AAWA was established in 1991 to counter systemic exclusion, ensuring that Black storytellers were never "relegated to the sidekicks in our own story" or dependent on white institutions for validation. Entering the organization as its only child member at the time, Eddins described the environment as a catalyst for a personal awakening.
"Being around people so immersed in the Black arts movement... fostered an X-Men-like superpower in me in terms of love for Black creativity," he said.
That early foundational support did more than just build Eddins' confidence; it instilled a lifelong mission to protect and uplift historical truths. Holiday and Eddins discussed the nature of these spaces today, particularly in a climate where efforts to suppress diverse narratives are on the rise. Eddins was unswerving in his assessment of why preserving these stories remains non-negotiable.
"We face so many things that could be transcended and victoriously persevered through our unity,” he said. “Our literacy, our engagement with legacy-based organizations like ours, our return to the consistent recognition of our power, strength, and purpose, and irreplaceable contribution in every era of human existence is so vital."
Eddins highlighted the upcoming n-Word Conference, scheduled to take place from October 16th through the 18th at Mount Zion. The event promises to be an essential gathering place for the "Black, Indigenous, global majority" to reflect on collective brilliance.
As the interview drew to a close, Eddins left the audience with an inspiring call to action, urging anyone carrying an untold story to step forward and embrace their creative power.
"I encourage everyone present who has a story on their mind, something they want to publish, create, see exist in the world in visual form... Feel your wings and be prepared to fly, because that's what we're here to do,” he said.
Learn more about the African-American Writer’s Alliance at aawa-seattle.org and get your tickets to the upcoming n-Word Conference here.
Catch The Day With Trae Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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