In 2017 the Free Library created the City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate program. According to the Free Library the Poet Laureate program “recognizes an exceptional poet who also demonstrates a commitment to the power of poetry to engage and inspire people throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.” This year Telicia Darius was selected as the city of Philadelphia’s Youth Poet Laureate.
Darius is a senior at Hardy Williams Mastery Charter School in a dual enrolment program at Community College of Philadelphia. She took part in the Young Writer’s Workshop at Bard College and the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program. Darius has been writing poetry since she was seven years old and she can perform and write in French and english. She is currently a member of the Hardy Williams Philly Slam League team.
During her year as the City of Philadelphia Poet Laureate Darius will be an ambassador and will be performing and participating in workshops.
(Information and quotes in this article are from the Free Library of Philadelphia)