[Photo: Ashley M. Jones via Facebook. Credit: Amarr Croskey]Birmingham native Ashley M. Jones was recently named Poet Laureate of Alabama (2022-2026), the youngest and first Black person to hold the position created 91 years ago. “Hopefully, as poet laureate, I can shine some light on the work that is being done that is positive and just remind people that the south is still part of the U.S.,” Jones said. Jones guest edited Poetry magazine earlier this year after the magazine and its publisher were challenged to do more to support poets from marginalized populations and support Black Lives Matter protests. She currently teaches at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, as well as the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Source: New York Times November 06, 2021 11:16 UTC