I Got A Story to Tell is the debut poetry collection of Word is Bond. It features poems written by the young Black male community ambassadors and law enforcement officers of the Rising Leaders summer internship program 2020 in Portland, OR. Read the truths of these young Black men and police officers through the book’s three sections: If I Ruled the World, Dear Other Side, and I Got A Story to Tell. The poems touch on topics of race, justice, police brutality, and the young Black male experience. Raw, human, and unapologetic, these poems highlight the struggle of young Black men to secure their basic human rights and police officers grappling with a legacy of white supremacy.

Excerpt:
But I don’t rule the world
and half the world is hungry
Hate is the norm
Black is considered ugly

My people live in fear every day
And we’re trapped in boxes
for things we didn’t do
And nappy is considered unethical

Available now! All proceeds go to leadership programming through Word is Bond. I Got A Story to Tell includes poems from officers of Lake Oswego Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Oregon City Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Cover photos by Will M. Stevenson.

Poetry. Paperback. 64 Pages. Available, February 1, 2021.