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