• By Candace Brennan
• Posted Monday, April 15, 2019

N.C. Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green comes to On The Same Poem April 18, 2019

Forsyth County Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with poetry programs for all ages at every library location, culminating in our finale event: the On The Same Poem luncheon on April 18 at noon at Central Library. This year, our celebrated guest is acclaimed poet and newly-appointed North Carolina Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green.

“Jaki is an award-winning poet with a strong commitment to use poetry as a platform for building bridges across race, religion, age, gender, and identity,” said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “What a welcome addition she is to the tradition of poet laureates in North Carolina.”

“I am deeply touched to be named poet laureate,” Green said. “To serve as North Carolina’s representative for poetry and the spoken word is a tremendous honor.” Green plans to focus her efforts on the creation of documentary poetry, by working with North Carolina communities to explore the ways they document their regional histories and events. As a community arts advocate, Green has created and facilitated programs that serve various audiences and populations, including the incarcerated, homeless, chronically and mentally ill, victims of domestic violence, public and private schools, literacy programs, immigrants, and community economic development and social justice nonprofits.

“The Poet Laureate program is one of the most important ways that we celebrate and share our state’s literary heritage with the people of our state,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the N.C. Arts Council. “The Poet Laureate is a symbol of North Carolina’s achievements in poetry and our writers’ contributions to our national cultural legacy.”

Thursday, April 18 at noon. Everyone is invited to honor Green, along with six winners of our Teen Ink writing contest. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided. For more information, contact Candace Brennan at 336-3-703-3021 or brennacm@forsyth.cc.