Mayda Alexandra del Valle To Lead as Chicago's Second Poet Laureate
Renowned poet and educator Mayda Alexandra del Valle has been appointed as Chicago's second poet laureate. The South Side native, born at 47, will serve a two-year term starting from the inception of her appointment, during which she will receive $70,000 to create new works and promote youth initiatives across the city.
As poet laureate, Del Valle will not only champion Chicago's literary community but also act as an ambassador, fostering collaboration between creative and cultural groups. Her diverse background as an artist is deeply rooted in the city's history, which will undoubtedly serve her well in this new role.
Del Valle's past work has garnered significant recognition, including winning the Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize from Northwestern University Press in 2016 for her poetry collections "A South Side Girl's Guide to Love and Sex" and "The University of Hip-Hop." Her career spans multiple platforms, including HBO's "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry," where she appeared on six episodes.
She will hold the first official event as poet laureate on January 14 at the Chicago Cultural Center. The event promises an engaging experience featuring live performances and a conversation.
The news comes after Avery R. Young held the inaugural position of Chicago Poet Laureate, whose signature project "Chicago Soul Poem: A City That Writes Together" was showcased in Millennium Park last summer. With this appointment, Chicago joins an exclusive group of 16 US cities that boast official poet laureates.
As part of this prestigious role, Del Valle will work to promote the city's rich cultural heritage and engage with diverse communities through poetry initiatives.
Renowned poet and educator Mayda Alexandra del Valle has been appointed as Chicago's second poet laureate. The South Side native, born at 47, will serve a two-year term starting from the inception of her appointment, during which she will receive $70,000 to create new works and promote youth initiatives across the city.
As poet laureate, Del Valle will not only champion Chicago's literary community but also act as an ambassador, fostering collaboration between creative and cultural groups. Her diverse background as an artist is deeply rooted in the city's history, which will undoubtedly serve her well in this new role.
Del Valle's past work has garnered significant recognition, including winning the Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize from Northwestern University Press in 2016 for her poetry collections "A South Side Girl's Guide to Love and Sex" and "The University of Hip-Hop." Her career spans multiple platforms, including HBO's "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry," where she appeared on six episodes.
She will hold the first official event as poet laureate on January 14 at the Chicago Cultural Center. The event promises an engaging experience featuring live performances and a conversation.
The news comes after Avery R. Young held the inaugural position of Chicago Poet Laureate, whose signature project "Chicago Soul Poem: A City That Writes Together" was showcased in Millennium Park last summer. With this appointment, Chicago joins an exclusive group of 16 US cities that boast official poet laureates.
As part of this prestigious role, Del Valle will work to promote the city's rich cultural heritage and engage with diverse communities through poetry initiatives.
so del valle getting poet laurae is like a big deal but you know who else should get an honorary title in chicago... the mayor's wife 
just kidding kinda, but seriously this is all about representation and community engagement. what if she used that 70k to create programs for underprivileged youth instead of just promoting her own work? wouldn't that be a more impactful use of public funds? 
her background & experience are insane! from winning awards like drinking gourd chapbook poetry prize to performing on HBO's def poetry she's got the skills to bring people together through words. i'm so hyped for this new role, can't wait to see what she comes up with 
. I mean, who wouldn't want a poet from the South Side leading the charge? Her background in art and education is exactly what this city needs right now. And $70k is no joke! She'll be able to create some amazing new work and make a real impact on our youth. I'm really looking forward to that January 14 event at the Chicago Cultural Center, live performances and all 
. It's awesome that Chicago is joining this exclusive group of cities with official Poets Laureate - we're gonna be shining bright for sure! 
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She's an inspiration to me & many others who love words, music & art! Her background in hip-hop & education makes her the perfect fit for this role. I think it's awesome she'll be promoting youth initiatives too - we need more opportunities for young creatives to shine! 
. Can't say I'm sold on this one...
her background is so fire, born on the south side of chicago and all that jazz. plus she's won some major awards for her poetry collections, like the drinking gourd chapbook poetry prize 
. Love that she's gonna be promoting youth initiatives - we need more voices like hers in the community 
. Can't wait to see what she comes up with during her term 
I am literally SO PUMPED for Mayda Alexandra del Valle to take on this role!!! She's like a total game changer, you know? I mean, her background is everything - she's from the South Side, she's an artist, and she's got that fire in her soul. This appointment is not just about giving her a title, it's about giving her the tools to amplify the voices of the community she was born into 
She's got some serious bars and I love how she reps the South Side 
. The fact that she's gonna be working with youth initiatives and promoting community engagement is pure gold