Emanuel Xavier Granja (born May 3, 1971), known as Emanuel Xavier, is an openly gay American poet, spoken word artist, author, editor, events producer and actor born and raised in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn. He is noted for his transition from a street hustler and drug dealer to become one of the most significant voices to emerge from the neo-Nuyorican spoken word movement using political, sexual and religious themes throughout his work. His background heritage is Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian. He has conducted spoken word poetry workshops and produced benefits and events for queer youth organizations throughout the country and is considered a role model for queer youth, particularly queer youth of color.
His Puerto Rican father abandoned his Ecuadorian mother when he found out she was pregnant and was never heard from again. At the age of 3, he was sexually abused by an older cousin. At 16, he came out to his mother and was thrown out of his house. This is when he became a...
Created by dipity
on Jan 24, 2008
Last updated: 03/10/10 at 10:18 PM
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