It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as the 2023 Piedmont Laureate. I have had a chance to share moments with so many people as a result of this role. I wish I was able to do more, but I am so happy about all that we were able to accomplish. I know that an impact was made.

I want to take a moment and thank the sponsoring organizations, Raleigh Arts, United Arts Council, Durham Arts Council, and the Orange County Arts Commission. They were wonderful partners throughout the year. They provided support, advice, and much more. Each organization works diligently to provide capacity for the arts and artists.

From the beginning of the year to the end, this has been about the poetry.

I started my term with a feature performance at Weave & Spin, a phenomenal open mic event held monthly at Eno Arts Mill Gallery. It was a great way to kick things off. I was able to do performance workshops throughout the year. The goal was to address how intimidating performance can seem and help poets get more comfortable in front of an audience. I had a great time with the attendees and met some talented poets. I wish we had more participants. I participated in a variety of events, spoke to the Durham City Council as they issued a proclamation for National Arts and Humanities Month, and posted writing prompts on the PL blog for the Raleigh Arts Flash.

One of the best parts of my tenure is that I was able to share space and time with other Black poet laureates across the state. In addition to the laureateship in Carrboro, there were new appointments in Durham, Charlotte, Kinston, Chapel Hill, and Greensboro. To walk in the shoes of NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green is an honor. We got to really understand the responsibility in fellowship with each other this year.

I also released a chapbook in honor of my role. The chapbook is called a brilliant and uncertain rebellion. We had the release event at the Durham Arts Council. The collection won the Literary Titan Book Award.

Below are some more of the year’s major highlights.

Big Night In For The Arts – I participated as a headliner in the 2023 event.

Pen 2 Page Shop Talks – we presented 4 talks across Durham, Orange, and Wake counties.

The High School Spoken Word Contest – we curated a contest for high school students across the Triangle. This was a partnership between United Arts Council and the Raleigh Fine Arts Society.

This was a year of impact. I had some wonderful conversations with members of the community. Some curious about the role. Some who were excited to see me in it. I believe it will help others seek the opportunity in the future.

We don’t always recognize the impression we make. We focus on the task at hand and the moment we are in. We don’t notice the eyes watching how we work and move. We need to realize how that impression can spread by word of mouth. At some point in time, you find out. It happens when that person comes to you and lets you know how much you’ve impacted them. The moment catches you off guard. They tell you what they have witnessed and what they took from it. At that moment, you find out that the “why” behind your actions and perspective came through. Those blessed affirmations are welcome reminders to keep doing what you do.

What is beautiful about the builders I have learned from is that they build regardless. They see a need, and they go to work. They pull the pieces together, plan, coordinate, and see the project through to completion. Again and again, I have seen them work. No panic. Frustration is just a temporary interruption but never a derailment. They are not fooled by those that leave the work in their hands. They keep building. I am thankful for all they have modeled because that guides me in my work.

When we open doors, we must consider those who helped make the door possible. That includes those who did the work to envision and create the opportunity. That consists of those who helped nurture your skills and abilities and positioned you to get the opportunity. That includes those who established the standards and traditions of your work. It also consists of the communities you represent. Consider their hands meeting yours as you open the door. Consider that welcoming as an affirmation and a handshake agreement that you will move with accountability and respect. That handshake is also a loving recognition that you are able, equipped, and worthy.

An understanding of how to build, grow, and empower is critical. Recognizing the shoulders you stand on and the voices you carry with you is vital. A grasp of your impact on the work that those can do after you is key. And keys open doors.

We opened doors this year. For that, I am eternally grateful.

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