“I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer- its dust and loving skies.” -Toni Morrison

Revered as a prolific poet and committed activist, Nicholas Guillén was highlighted in an edition of Soulbook as an introduction to the notable poetry features, Reject Notes, in the 1967 Summer-Fall edition. Opening the edition’s featured poetry with the words of Guillén not only payed tribute and respect to the award-winning Cuban artist, but it also illustrated Soulbook’s political position. Welcoming the words of Nicholas Guillén, an Afro-latino artist who was denied entry into the United States, onto the pages of a self-sufficient Black-owned U.S. publication that spoke to Black revolutionary thinkers was symbolic of Soulbook’s significance as well as the vision of its editors. Soulbook sought to speak to and for the hearts of Black people throughout the diaspora; ultimately, focused on facilitating international unity among Black voices.