VICTOR LEE WALKER

Bronx, New York
victor@victorleewalker.com
www.victorleewalker.com

EDUCATION

M.A. in English, Creative Writing (Poetry)
Expected 2028
Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY

B.A. in Africana Studies
2026
Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY
Departmental Honors in Africana Studies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Intern
October 2025–December 2025
Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), New York, NY

Story Coach
March 2020–February 2024
The Million Person Project, San Francisco, CA

Direct Service Professional (DSP)
January 2016–January 2017
Heaven’s Hands Community Services, Brooklyn, NY

Second Stories Manager
August 2015–November 2015
Ruth Ellis Center, Highland Park, MI

Youth / Health & Wellness Program Coordinator
February 2013–August 2015
Affirmations LGBT Community Center, Ferndale, MI

Youth Program Assistant
December 2012–February 2013
Affirmations LGBT Community Center, Ferndale, MI

Staff Writer / News Features
October 2012–February 2013
The Michigan Citizen, Detroit, MI.

Youth Empowerment Program Staff
October 2009–October 2010
Affirmations LGBT Community Center, Ferndale, MI

Cook
March 2009–July 2009
Le Petit Zinc, Detroit, MI.

Textbook Clerk
August 2007–August 2008
EMU Bookstore, Ypsilanti, MI; staffed author engagements and organized community book discussions.

Student Program Coordinator
August 2005–August 2007
Center for Multicultural Affairs, Diversity Programs, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

BOOKS & ANTHOLOGIES

“Thirty-Eight.”
2014
In Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, edited by Derrick M. Tennial. DT Media.

No Tea. No Shade.
2013
Novel.

Centric
2010
Poetry collection.

Love: In Hindsight
2007
Poetry collection.

PUBLICATIONS & JOURNALISM

“Bronx Riders Deserve More for Less.”
2026
El Diario, May 28. Op-ed.

“A Ritual of Borrowed Time: What It Means to Wait for a Kidney While Black in America.”
2025
Michigan Chronicle; republished in New Pittsburgh Courier, July 28, 2025.

“In Search of Unconditional Love: Five Ways Loving Myself Shaped My Love for Others.”
2019
Thrive Global, essay.

“Ten Times Out of Nine: I’m Only Human.”
2017
WusGood? A POC Magazine.

“Real Men. Real Allies.”
2014
HAVEN. Guest blog post.

“Technology Center Programs Winners.”
1994
The Mumford Times in Detroit Free Press, March 22.

“If I Could See Tomorrow.”
1991
Michigan Chronicle, MC Timez.

PRESS & FEATURES

“2015 Transgender Day of Remembrance.”
2015
Between The Lines / Pride Source, November 19.

“Wear Rainbow For Affirmations Pride Prom.”
2015
Between The Lines / Pride Source, May 14.

“Transgender Day of Visibility Now World Wide.”
2014
Between The Lines / Pride Source, April 3. Featured poet.

“Motown Writers Network Author Feature: Victor ‘Billione’ Walker.”
2014
Motown Writers Network, March 10. Author interview.

“Citizen Award Turns to Talk of Transgender Respect (video).”
2014
Oakland County Times, February. Featured in Ferndale recognition coverage.

“50 Shades of Gay: Celebrating Black History Month and HIV/AIDS Awareness.”
2014
Between The Lines / Pride Source, February 6. Featured performer.

“First Shore-2-Shore Bike Ride Raises Awareness For LGBT Equality.”
2013
Oakland County Times, September 11. Quoted on inclusion.

“Pleasant Ridge Human Rights Ordinance Passes Unanimously.”
2013
Between The Lines / Pride Source. Quoted on civil rights.

“March Against the Silence.”
2012
The Oakland Post, April 18, p. 10; by Shannon Coughlin. Photographed performing at Take Back the Night.

“Everything We Do Is for You.”
2010
Between The Lines / Pride Source, September 16. Featured and quoted.

“YEP Awards Turn Teens Into Stars.”
2010
Oakland County Times, September 15. Featured and quoted.

“Local Poets to Perform at Affirmations for Black History Month.”
2010
Between The Lines / Pride Source, February 18. Featured poet.

“EMU to celebrate MLK with week worth of events.”
2008
Focus EMU, January 8; by Kimberly Buchholz.

“Student Spotlights: Nicole Brown and Victor Walker.”
2008
emYOU! The Magazine, April. Cover feature.

“Backstage With Billione.”
2008
Feature, The Industry Crusher Magazine.

“Boggs highlights EMU’s weeklong celebration of MLK.”
2007
Focus EMU, January 9; by Leigh Soltis.

“Walker pens book of poetry, songs.”
2007
The Eastern Echo, May 8, pp. 8–9. Feature about the poetry collection Love: In Hindsight.

“BET’s ‘Cousin Jeff’ to be MLK Day keynote speaker.”
2007
Focus EMU, December 11, p. 8; by Kimberly Buchholz. Quoted on young people’s engagement with civil rights history.

“EMU’s MLK Celebration includes week full of events.”
2006
Focus EMU, January 10; by Abby Palmer. Listed as scheduled speaker on LGBT justice at the January 16 opening breakfast.

“MLK Day Celebration honors King with 25 events.”
2005
Focus EMU, January 11; by Carol Anderson. Named as Student of Color Fellow and co-coordinator of the Struggle for Equality and Status Banquet Project.

Front-Page Photograph
1996
The State News, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

“Detroit Kids Look East for Some Peer Advice.”
1985
Detroit Free Press, December 9, p. 18A. Featured in group photograph.

FILM & MEDIA

In Fear for My Life
2021
Poem “Suns” featured in film; screened at Diversity in Cannes Film Festival.

All I Really Want
2019
Appeared in music video by T. SYDiR.

Out Loud in the D
2017
Featured participant in Detroit LGBTQ+ docuseries; poem “State of Emergency” featured.

Volume on 10
2017
Featured performer; “Breathe,” Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

Detroit Performs, PBS
2014
Featured poet; performed “Undercurrent.”

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD

Felt Book Release Celebration
2018
Special guest performer, Langston Hughes House, I, Too Arts Collective, New York, NY.

HEAR Me Now: All Media Open Mic
2015
Host and performer, Allied Media Conference, Wayne State University Community Arts Auditorium, Detroit, MI.

Motor City Pride
2015
Poetry performer, HEAR Me Now, Festival Stage, Detroit, MI.

Women’s History Month Tribute
2015
Poetry performer, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI.
Performed “Warrior Woman,” a tribute to Chantay Legacy Leonard.

Ebony: A Deeper Love of Self
2015
Poetry included in photography exhibition, Affirmations, Ferndale, MI.

Middle Finger to Cancer Pre-Fundraiser
2015
Poetry performer, Always Brewing Detroit Coffee House, Detroit, MI.

Transgender Day of Visibility
2014
Performer, Five Fifteen, performed “Poetry is a Woman!”, Royal Oak, MI.

Mother Tongue
2014
Performer, Marygrove College, Detroit, MI.

Shades of Black and Brown
2014
Performer and emcee, Affirmations, Ferndale, MI.

A Man Can Change #17: FIN.
2014
Featured performer, Jazz Café at Music Hall, Detroit, MI.

Mo Better Blues Jazzy Bistro
2014
Performer, Detroit, MI.

Evolution: An Open Mic Affair
2013
Host, Affirmations, Ferndale, MI.

Ferndale Pride
2013
Main Stage performer, Ferndale, MI.

Relay for Life Marygrove College
2013
Featured performer, Marygrove College, Detroit, MI.

Brothers in Motion: A Night of Visual Arts, Fashion and Poetry
2013
Featured performer, Liberal Arts Gallery, Detroit, MI.

Poets & Purses: A SASH Affair
2013
Featured poet, Liv Resto Lounge, Detroit, MI.

Spirit Spit
2013
Featured poet, Spirit of Hope Church, Detroit, MI.

Poetic Travelers
2013
Featured poet, Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI.

Wordsworth
2013
Featured poet, Elks Lodge, Ann Arbor, MI.

Nandi’s Knowledge Café
2013
Featured poet, Nandi’s Knowledge Café, Highland Park, MI; February 21.

1917 American Bistro
2012
Featured poet, Detroit, MI.

LaShaun Phoenix Moore Presents the Autumn Soundtrack
2012
Poetry performer, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI.

Oakland University Take Back the Night
2012
Poetry performer, Oakland University, Rochester, MI; photographed in The Oakland Post.

A Man Can Change #7: The Common Thread
2012
Poetry performer, Jazz Café at Music Hall, Detroit, MI.

Poetry and Wine Tasting with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Beta Omicron Zeta Chapter.
2011
Featured poet, Vintner’s Cellar, Royal Oak, MI.

Hotter Than July Pride Blair Tribute
2011
Detroit, MI; festival performance.

Thistle Coffee House
2011
Poetry performer with Joel Fluent Greene, Detroit, MI.

Black History Month Poetry Performance
2010
Featured poet, Affirmations, Ferndale, MI; February 20.

Mumford High School Poetry Performance
2008
Poetry performer opening for Sonia Sanchez, Mumford High School, Detroit, MI.

Words Like Freedom
2008
Director, Langston Hughes poetry adaptation, Federal Correctional Institution Milan, Michigan; adapted and directed a special event with incarcerated individuals.

Unsung Heroes: Keeping our History Alive
2008
Spoken Word Performer, Church of the Incarnation, David Byrd Chapel, African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, MI.

Montage MLK Day Celebration
2008
Director, Langston Hughes poetry adaptation, Student Center Auditorium, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Hip Hop Explosion
2007
Performer, Pease Auditorium, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Nothing Said...A Celebration of Spirit and Gospel
2007
Co-host, Student Center Grand Ballroom, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Progressive Poetry Project
2007
Coordinator, Kiva Room, Student Center, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Color of Drums
2005
Guest performer. Sweet in the Morning, Poetry Society, Pease Auditorium, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Old School Overload
2005
Performer, Black Student Union, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

THEATRE

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2010
Philostrate, Stagecrafters, Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak, MI; September 17–October 3.

Soaring on Black Wings
2005
John Curtis, Eastern Michigan University, Sponberg Theatre, Ypsilanti, MI. Production developed with Ben Vereen.

The Tempest
2003–2004
Alonzo, Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, MI; original run April 2–26, 2003; production recognized at 2004 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival regional event.

Tokoloshe
2002
Tokoloshe, Henry Ford Community College Theatre for Young Audiences, Dearborn, MI.

PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKING

New York City Council Supportive Housing Testimony
2025
Testimony before Committee on Housing and Buildings.

Poetry Discussion with Mariners Inn
2019
Guest speaker.

The Hate U Give (THUG) Teach-In
2018
Presenter and performer, Michigan State University.

HEAR Me Now: All Media Open Mic
2015
Host and performer, Allied Media Conference, Detroit, MI.

Oakland University Social Work Classroom
2015
Speaker on poetry and self-care, Rochester, MI.

Transgender Day of Remembrance
2015
Special guest speaker, Central United Methodist Church, Detroit, MI.

The Mask You Live In: Detroit Film Screening
2015
Panelist, screening and panel discussion, Student Center Ballroom, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit. Hosted by HAVEN and Lips & Hips.

Transgender Day of Remembrance
2014
Special guest speaker, Central United Methodist Church, Detroit, MI.

Domestic Violence Men’s Panel Discussion
2014
Invited panelist, Marygrove College, Detroit, MI.

Detroit Poetry: An Oral History Project
2012
Coordinator/Facilitator, Essence of Motown Literary Jam & Conference, Northwest Activities Center, Detroit, MI.

Stage to Page: Transitioning from Performer to Published Author
2011
Coordinator/Facilitator, Essence of Motown Literary Jam & Conference, The Carr Cultural Arts Center, Detroit, MI.

MLK Day Poetry / Spoken Word Event
2010
Featured poet/performer, Farmington Community Library, Farmington/Farmington Hills, MI.

Film Screening and Discussion: The Pact
2009
Facilitator, Westland Public Library, Westland, MI.

Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance Movement
2008
Westland Public Library, Westland, MI.

FCI Milan, High School Graduation Address
2008
Guest Speaker, Federal Correctional Institution Milan, Michigan.

Why We Can’t Wait: A Community Book Discussion
2007
Facilitator, EMU Bookstore, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

LGBT Justice MLK Day Opening Breakfast
2006
Speaker, Step, Look, Listen & Breakfast, McKenny Union Ballroom, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Struggle for Equality and Status Banquet Project
2005
Coordinator, Multicultural Lounge, King Hall, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

CERTIFICATES

Music Industry Essentials Certificate
2021
NYU Tisch School of the Arts × Billboard / Yellowbrick.

HONORS & AWARDS

Departmental Honors in Africana Studies
2026
Lehman College

Neville Andrews Scholarship
Spring 2026
Lehman College

Presidential Scholar
Fall 2025
Lehman College

MacKenzie Scott Scholarship
Fall 2025
Lehman College

Jane Harris Scholarship
Spring 2025
Lehman College

Senator Emeritus
2007
EMU Student Government, Eastern Michigan University.

EMU NAACP Image Awards, Best Program. Montage
2005

Evans-Strand Award
2005
Eastern Michigan University

Student of Color Fellowship
2004
Eastern Michigan University

SERVICE

President
2025–2026
Black Legacy, Lehman College

Tenant Leader
2023–present
Supportive Housing Network of New York

Member
2022–present
Riders Alliance, New York, NY

Member
2018–present
Resident Advisory Council, Jericho Project

Multicultural Advisory Committee Member
2009–2011
Affirmations LGBT Community Center, Ferndale, MI

Volunteer
2009
Affirmations LGBT Community Center, Ferndale, MI

EMU Student Government
2006–2007
Director of Diversity, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

EMU Student Government
2005–2006
Senator, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Black Student Union
2005
President Elect, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Black Student Union
2004
Vice President, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Black Student Union
2003
Public Relations Chair, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

President
1996
Holmes Hall Black Caucus, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

HONOR SOCIETY

Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society
2026–present

MEMBERSHIPS

Academy of American Poets
2026–present

Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
2026–present

The Poetry Society of New York
2024–present

Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
2018–present