Camonghne Felix

Camonghne Felix (pronounced ; born 1992) is an American writer, poet, and communications strategist. Her debut poetry collection, Build Yourself a Boat, was longlisted for the 2019 National Book Award. Felix is a professor of writing at The New School.

Career

Poetry Felix received her MFA from Bard College and was mentored by Mahogany L. Browne.

Felix participated in the national poetry slam Brave New Voices and was featured in the festival's 2010 HBO series. She published her first chapbook, Yolk, in 2015.

Felix's debut poetry collection, Build Yourself a Boat, was released in April 2019 by Haymarket Books. The poems cover topics such as sexual assault, abortion, and politics. Ian Hogdson of South Side Weekly described it as "an impressive first collection."

Communications work Felix worked as the head of racial justice initiatives at DoSomething in 2015. According to The Verge, she was fired after a meeting in which she suggested that the organization invest in Black communities after the murders of the Charleston Nine. The following year, she was hired as director of surrogates and strategic communications for Elizabeth Warren's 2020 presidential campaign.

Personal life Felix was raised in The Bronx, New York. She is queer.

Awards

Literary awards Year Title Award Category Result Ref. 2019 Build Yourself a Boat National Book Award Poetry PEN Open Book Award —

Other honors 2019: Out 100 2020: Women of the Year honoree, Glamour