October 2025 — Rising poet and Los Angeles native Keyawn Cook announces the release of his debut collection, From Proems…To Poems — a compelling exploration of life, history, and social change through the lens of lived experience and lyrical expression.
In From Proems…To Poems, Cook channels resilience and raw emotion into verses that speak to the heartbeat of our time. Through sharp cultural insight and unflinching honesty, the collection confronts injustice, celebrates perseverance, and amplifies voices too often unheard. Cook draws on his personal journey — from navigating the challenges of South-Central Los Angeles to building a life of purpose and service — to create poetry that inspires reflection and sparks conversation.
“Poetry is my way of transforming struggle into strength,” says Cook. “I hope these words reach across borders and backgrounds — from Chi-Town to Shanghai — and remind readers that art has the power to connect and heal.”
From Proems…To Poems blends the intimate and the universal, touching on politics, African American history, and present-day realities with a voice that is both deeply personal and widely resonant. Whether read by academic scholars, everyday thinkers, or poetry enthusiasts in barbershop chairs, Cook’s work invites audiences to think critically, feel deeply, and find courage in expression.
Beyond his writing, Cook dedicates himself to helping others. As a peer support specialist, he works with marginalized communities and those re-entering society after incarceration — a mission that informs his poetry and reinforces his belief in redemption and growth.
From Proems…To Poems is available now.
About the Author:
Keyawn Cook was born on the Eastside of South-Central Los Angeles. After overcoming challenges in his youth, he found his voice through writing and now crafts poetry that uplifts, challenges, and inspires. When he’s not writing, Cook enjoys movies, chess, card games, and Scrabble. His passion for helping others extends into his work as a peer support specialist for marginalized and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Keyawn Cook was born on the Eastside of South-Central Los Angeles. After overcoming challenges in his youth, he found his voice through writing and now crafts poetry that uplifts, challenges, and inspires. When he’s not writing, Cook enjoys movies, chess, card games, and Scrabble. His passion for helping others extends into his work as a peer support specialist for marginalized and formerly incarcerated individuals.