Trailblazing Black Poets and Their Laureate Legacies

Across the U.S. and beyond, the title of poet laureate carries both honor and responsibility. These literary ambassadors don’t just create verse — they create connection, using poetry to inspire, educate, and unite communities. For Black poets laureate, the role often means breaking barriers, telling overlooked histories, and making the art form accessible to people who may never have considered poetry “for them.”

Here are some of the poets who’ve transformed the laureate title into a living legacy.

Rita Dove – First Black U.S. Poet Laureate

When Rita Dove became U.S. Poet Laureate in 1993, she broke new ground as the first Black woman to hold the position. Her tenure brought poetry to wider audiences, from PBS specials to large public readings, and highlighted the power of literature to address identity, history, and social change.

Natasha Trethewey – Weaving Memory into the National Story

Serving as U.S. Poet Laureate from 2012 to 2014 (and Mississippi Poet Laureate from 2012–2016), Trethewey used her role to spotlight stories of race, memory, and loss. She blended poetry with archival work, proving that verse can be as much about historical recovery as artistic beauty.

Tracy K. Smith – Poetry in Every Corner

From 2017 to 2019, Smith toured rural America with her “American Conversations” project, hosting readings in libraries, community centers, and small-town venues. Her mission: to bring poetry to places far from literary hubs, reminding audiences that poetry belongs to everyone.

Ashley M. Jones – Breaking Barriers in Alabama

At just 31, Ashley M. Jones became Alabama’s youngest — and first Black — poet laureate in 2021. She launched statewide poetry festivals, expanded school outreach, and made the title relevant to a new generation.

Jaki Shelton Green – Poetry as Healing

As North Carolina’s first Black poet laureate, Green has built programs that bring poetry into prisons, shelters, and underserved schools. Her work embodies poetry’s role as a tool for healing and empowerment.

Amanda Gorman – The Power of Youth

The first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, Gorman catapulted poetry into the pop culture spotlight with her 2021 inauguration performance. Her mix of activism, artistry, and social media savvy has inspired millions of young people to pick up the pen.

Others Making an Impact

Tongo Eisen-Martin (San Francisco), Porsha Olayiwola (Boston), Jewel Rodgers (Nebraska), and Lorna Goodison (Jamaica) have each used their laureate platforms to amplify marginalized voices, create inclusive literary events, and bridge cultural divides.

The Legacy Continues

These poets share more than a title. They share a belief that poetry can and should live outside the page — in schools, streets, digital spaces, and community gatherings. Their work proves that when the laureate’s pen moves, the ripples reach far beyond the literary world. Explore the works of these poets, attend a local poetry reading, and support the programs that bring verse to every corner of our communities.