Reginald Lockett, R.I.P.

Reginald Franklin Lockett

(1948–2008)

“If there was ever a poet deserving of the title of poet laureate for a city, Reggie was Oakland’s unnamed honoree. His work breathed Oakland–each syllable an experience that we, who call this fair city home, could relate to."

Wanda Sabir, Author & Journalist

“Lockett is definitely one of Oaktown’s best-kept secrets.”

Jack Foley, Poet & Host of KPFA’s Cover to Cover

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" Black Power!

Her natural stood tall,

erect and golden like the flame

we thought would ignite the revolution

that never came...

I know, I know. I am a vague,

remote amorous memory,

color and image

fading each step closer

sistah love gets to death.

My heart erupts in tears. "

Reginald Lockett

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Lockett taught creative writing at City College of San Francisco, Laney College and College of Marine. He was a tenured instructor of Langauge Arts at San Jose City College for the last 20 years.

Because of Reginald’s work as a teacher and mentor to so many young writers, it is appropriate that we honor him in Harambee.
A dedicated teacher, Reginald was best known as a poet. He was the author of “Where the Birds Sign Bass,” which won a PEN/
Oakland/Josephine Miles Award in 1996, ”Good times and No Bread,” “The Party Crashers of Paradiese” and “Random History
Lessons,” published by Creative Arts Books in 2003. He was also the owner and publisher of Juke Box Press, which published many other poets and raised thousands of dollars for Hurricane Katrina victims with the publication of “Words on the Water.”

To honor Reginald Locket, we are creating the Reginald Lockett Writer’s Collective to continue his work of supporting artists.