The Free Library of Philadelphia announced on January 4, that Airea D. Matthews has been appointed as the new Philadelphia Poet Laureate. Her term will run through the end of 2023.
For her “day job,” Matthews is the director Creative Writing Program at Bryn Mawr College.
From the Free Library Website – Housed at the Free Library since 2017, the City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate Program recognizes exceptional poets who also demonstrate commitments to the power of poetry to engage and inspire people throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. This civic position comes with a $5000 stipend and support for a community-based project. Matthews will also mentor and work closely with the current Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Andre’a Rhoads.
Airea’s son Wes Mathews was named Philadelphia’s student poet laureate in 2018 (he also shot the photo of his mother, above).
Illustrated poetry writteb and read by Airea Mattews.