Welcome to my blog.

My name is Jamael McCauley, and writing has been a constant thread running through my life. From journalism to education, and now into poetry and storytelling, words have always been a way for me to explore the world, reflect on faith, and make sense of the experiences that shape who we are.

I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and my journey eventually led me to the Atlanta metropolitan area. Along the way, I had the opportunity to work in journalism, writing for publications such as The Meter, The Tennessean, Florida Today, and the Urban Journal, and contributing to sports media affiliated with the Tennessee Titans. I am also the coauthor of books, I Wonder Why. I Know Why. Never Mind, and Life Is Good Every Day.  Ultimately, journalism has taught me the power of observation—how stories exist everywhere if you’re willing to listen closely and look deeply.

Later, my path shifted toward education and social services. Working with students and families opened my eyes to new layers of human experience: struggle, perseverance, hope, and redemption. Those moments, conversations, and lessons naturally found their way into my writing.

Over time, poetry became one of the most meaningful ways for me to express those ideas. Poetry allows us to slow down, to sit with difficult emotions, and to search for meaning even in broken places. Many of my poems explore themes of faith, inner-city life, violence, redemption, and the quiet moments of grace that can appear in unexpected places.

My upcoming collection, A Stained-Glass Window, reflects many of those themes. The title was inspired by the image of stained glass itself. Each piece of glass may be broken or jagged on its own, but when placed together and illuminated by light, it forms something powerful and beautiful. In many ways, our lives are similar—our broken moments can still reflect something meaningful when viewed through the right lens.

Through this blog, I plan to share poems, reflections on writing, insights about faith and life, and behind-the-scenes thoughts about the creative process. I also hope this space becomes a place for conversation—about literature, storytelling, and the experiences that connect us as people.

Thank you for being here and taking the time to read.

This is just the beginning.

— Jamael McCauley