Each October 17, Black Poetry Day commemorates the birth of the first published Black poet in the U.S. while honoring Black poets both past and present.

October 17, 1761 is the birth date of Jupiter Hammon, the poet, writer, and preacher who became the first Black published author in the United States. Since 1985, Black Poetry Day celebrates Hammon’s legacy and the works of all Black poets, as well as providing broader recognition of Black heritage and literacy.

Today, there are thousands of Black poets whose work thrills and moves readers worldwide—from Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, to Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Audre Lorde, and more. Explore some of these poets and many more in the superb celebration of over 200 years of Black poets and their achievements from Read Poetry, at https://www.readpoetry.com/celebrate-black-poetry-day-with-200-years-of-world-changing-black-poets/.

Read a poem this weekend in celebration—or better yet, write one!