Black Poetry Day started in 1985 as a day to celebrate black poets, both present and past. Sources vary on the significance of October 17th, some say its Jupiter Hammon’s birthday, who was the first published black author, while others say it is the date of his first published work. Regardless October 17th was chosen and has been celebrated as an unofficial holiday since 1985. There have been many poets who would follow in the footsteps of Jupiter Hammon adding their own styles and perspectives to the unique tapestry of black poetry in America.
There will be a contemporary black poetry appreciation event on the October 17th, 2025. We will focus on recent poets to highlight that black poetry is not a subject only for history but still a vibrant and evolving art. You can learn more here .
-- Anissa A. Librarian
Sources
https://americanwritersmuseum.org/black-poetry-day-resources/
https://www.readpoetry.com/celebrate-black-poetry-day-with-200-years-of-world-changing-black-poets/
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/jupiter-hammon
October 17th 1985 was the first Black Poetry Day. Since its inception, readers have enjoyed supporting poets that have been historically underrepresented. This list focuses on contemporary authors to highlight how black poetry is just as relevant today as it was forty years ago.
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