This April marks the 25th year of National Poetry Month. To help celebrate, we’ve put together a list of highly notable African American Poets who bring power, charm, and wit to the world of poetry.
Phillis Wheatley, 1753-1784
Highlighted poem: “His Excellency General Washington”
Book to check out: Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ann Malaspina; illustrated by Susan Keeter
Jamaal May, 1982 to present
Highlighted poem: “There Are Birds Here”
Book to check out: Hum by Jamaal May
Gwendolyn Brooks, 1917–2000
Highlighted Poem: “A Light and Diplomatic Bird”
Book to check out: Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade; illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
George Moses Horton, 1798–1883
Highlighted Poem: “Early Affection”
Book to check out: Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate
Maya Angelou, 1928–2014
Highlighted poem: “Alone”
Book to check out: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou
Kevin Young, 1970 to present
Highlighted poem: “Banjo”
Book to check out: Book of Hours by Kevin Young
Lucille Clifton, 1936–2010
Highlighted poem: “Far Memory”
Book to check out: The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010 edited by Kevin Young and Michael S. Glaser
Langston Hughes, 1902–1967
Highlighted poem: “Dreams”
Book to check out: Sail Away poems by Langston Hughes
Terrance Hayes, 1971 to present
Highlighted poem: “For Crying Out Loud”
Book to read: American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin by Terrance Hayes
Robin Coste Lewis, 1964 to present
Highlighted poem: “Summer”
Book to check out: Voyage of the Sable Venus and Other Poems by Robin Coste Lewis
Audre Lorde, 1934–1992
Highlighted poem: “Movement Song”
Book to check out: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde
Alice Walker, 1944 to present
Highlighted poem: “What It Feels Like”
Book to check out: The World Will Follow Joy: Turning Madness into Flowers
