Virginia s capital city chooses its first poet laureate Follow Us
Question of the Day By COLLEEN CURRAN and Richmond Times-Dispatch - Associated Press - Sunday, January 17, 2021
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Douglas Powell, known in the community by his stage name, Roscoe Burnems, has been selected as the city’s first Richmond poet laureate.
Burnems, 35, is a poet, published author, spoken-word artist, comedian and teacher. A National Poetry Slam Champion, a former TEDx speaker and founder of the Writer’s Den Art Collective, he co-hosted Tuesday Verses, one of the oldest black-owned open mics in the South.
“I write poetry to create challenging conversations and broaden perspectives,” Burnems said. “Whether the topic is race, religion or mental health, my work is dedicated to educating, uplifting humanity and breaking down the walls that divide us as a community.”
Roscoe Burnems, Poet Laureate for the City of Richmond
This week, the City of Richmond selected its first poet laureate, Douglas Powell, known in the community by his stage name, Roscoe Burnems. Burnems is a poet, published author, spoken-word artist, comedian and teacher. Burnems is also a host for
The Art Scene, a co-production of VPM and 19Red, that aired on VPM in Fall, 2019 and Spring, 2020.
Burnems’ main duties will be to promote poetry throughout Richmond and to connect the medium to communities less familiar with it. Evidence of an interest in and capacity for community engagement was part of the poet laureate selection criteria and a top priority of the mayor’s.