Poet Laureate of Philadelphia

Poet Laureate of Philadelphia is a civic position in the City of Philadelphia.^[1] The Poet Laureate has been described as an "Ambassador of Poetry".^[2] The holder of the position is expected to actively promote literacy and encourage expression in the city.^[1] As part of their position, they participate in service work, workshops and readings. One of their commitments is to mentor the youth poet laureate of Philadelphia.^[2]

The position was created by the City of Philadelphia during the city administration of Mayor Michael Nutter,^[3] and continued under Mayor Jim Kenney.^[4] It was originally managed by the city's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. As of 2017, administration of the program was transferred to the Free Library of Philadelphia.^[5]

Poetry makes us remember the best of ourselves and others... it keeps us constantly confronting the most important question of this twenty-first century: what does it mean to be human?

— Sonia Sanchez, 2014^[6]

Poets laureate

The position of Poet Laureate of Philadelphia has a two-year duration, and is generally announced in January.

• 2012-2013 - Sonia Sanchez^[3][7]
• 2014-2015 - Frank Sherlock^[8][9][10]
• 2016-2017 - Yolanda Wisher^[4][11][12]
• 2018-2019 - Raquel Salas Rivera^{[13][14][15][1]}
• 2020-2021 - Trapeta Mason^[16][17][18]
• 2022-2023 - Airea D. Matthews^[19]
• 2024-2025 - Kai Davis^[20]

Youth poets laureate

The position of Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia has a one-year duration, corresponding roughly to the school year. It is often announced in June or July. The Youth Poet Laureate receives mentoring from the Philadelphia Poet Laureate, and is encouraged to develop a "signature project that engages the public" during their year.^[21]

• 2013-2014 - Siduri Beckman^[22][6][23]
• 2014-2015 - Soledad Alfaro-Allah^[24][25][26]
• 2015-2016 - David Jones^[27][28]
• 2016-2017 - Otter Jung-Allen^{[29][30][21][31]}
• 2017-2018 - Husnaa Hashim^{[32][5][33][34]}
• 2018-2019 - Wes Matthews^[35][36]
• 2019-2020 - Mia Concepcion^[37]
• 2020-2021 - Cydney Brown [Wikidata]^[38]
• 2021-2022 - Andre'a Rhoads^[39]
• 2022-2023 - Telicia Darius^[40]
• 2023-2024 - Oyewumi Oyeniyi^[41][42]