Poem-a-Day - A special announcement from the Academy

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to share with you that after ten incredible years, I’ve decided, after much reflection, to transition out of my role as President & Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets and pass the torch. With your support, I’ve accomplished much more than I ever hoped. I’ve also come to deeply believe in the importance of change and creating space for others to lead—and both at a time of strength, not crisis.

The Academy of American Poets today is strong. In the past decade, the Academy has tripled its budget, become a leading publisher of contemporary poetry, developed award-winning educational programs, created and helped encourage new programs supporting poets of color, raised and awarded millions to fund poets’ community projects and smaller poetry organizations, launched new prizes for poets, coordinated a national Poetry Coalition, and helped lead emergency relief funds during the pandemic. I’m proud of all we’ve done together and I’ve been honored and humbled to serve such a dynamic and diverse community.

I’m grateful to the talented and dedicated staff, the devoted Board led by translator and nonprofit expert Tess O’Dwyer, and the distinguished and brilliant poets who serve as our Chancellors. I am confident that, with their creativity and compassion, and all that’s currently in place, the Academy will continue to be a positive and effective champion of poets and poetry in the years to come. We’ve been planning for a supportive handoff. I will remain in my position until December and then rotate into a special advisory role. A national search for the Academy’s next leader will commence soon.

It has been an absolute honor to serve poets and the poetry community, and to, as Muriel Rukeyser wrote, “Breathe-in experience, breathe-out poetry.” I look forward to continuing to advocate for this necessary and transformative art, and poets’ essential contributions to culture, in new and different ways on and off the page.

With heartfelt thanks,