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.”