News Summary
Williamsburg, Virginia has appointed Lacroy Nixon as its first Poet Laureate, marking a significant milestone in the city’s history. Nixon will focus on engaging local youth through a citywide slam poetry program, set to launch in July. With a strong background in poetry and community involvement, Nixon aims to provide a platform for young voices, fostering interest in the literary arts. His commitment to enriching the city’s cultural landscape highlights Williamsburg’s dedication to promoting creativity and civic participation.
Williamsburg, Virginia has taken a significant step toward enriching its cultural landscape by appointing Lacroy Nixon as the city’s first Poet Laureate. This announcement was made during a City Council meeting held on April 10 and marks a milestone in the city’s more than 300-year history.
Nixon’s term as Poet Laureate will officially begin on July 1, coinciding with the start of the new fiscal year, and will span a two-year period. He has laid out an ambitious project that focuses on engaging the community’s youth through poetry. His proposed initiative includes the establishment of a citywide youth slam poetry program, which will culminate in a final competition designed to showcase young talent and foster interest in the literary arts.
Lacroy Nixon is well-prepared for this role, with a robust background in both poetry and community engagement. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and raised in Williamsburg, giving him a unique perspective on the community. Nixon holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Liberty University and currently serves as the regional director of teen programming at the YMCA, where he has already made significant inroads in youth programming.
Nixon has been active in spoken word poetry for the past eight years, having begun his journey in 2015 under the stage name “Atlas.” He has been recognized nationally as a ranked poet during his high school years through the NAACP-ACTSO competition. Additionally, he founded Slam Connection, an organization focused on using poetry as a medium for community action and engagement.
His involvement with the arts extends beyond local initiatives. Nixon is a member of the Poetry Society of Virginia and serves on the Executive Board for the Writers Guild of Virginia. He is also an active participant in the Hope Booth Movement, which combines art and technology to engage communities. This project debuted in London in 2021 and toured 19 U.S. cities in 2022, further solidifying his commitment to the power of art in community building. Hope Booth was even featured on NBC News Now in September 2022, highlighting its reach and impact.
Nixon’s literary contributions include his published work “God and His Humor,” which was released shortly after he graduated from university. His diverse experiences provide him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to foster a supportive environment for young poets in Williamsburg.
The Williamsburg Poet Laureate Program is administered by the Williamsburg Performing Arts Council (WPAC), which seeks to promote the arts within the community. Nixon’s goals align with the program’s mission to uplift the city through artistic expression and creativity. By leveraging his networks and experience, Nixon aims to provide a platform for young voices that have yet to be heard in the established literary scene of Williamsburg.
The appointment of Lacroy Nixon as Poet Laureate not only recognizes his talent and dedication but also emphasizes the city’s commitment to cultivating the arts and encouraging civic participation through creative expression. As he embarks on this new chapter, both Nixon and the community at large look forward to the positive impact that the youth slam poetry program could have, potentially inspiring a new generation of poets and artists.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Williamsburg to host biggest slam poetry event in Virginia
- Wikipedia: Poetry
- Daily Press: Williamsburg’s first Poet Laureate wants to encourage others through words
- Google Search: Poet Laureate Program
- Williamsburg Families: Pippin at the Williamsburg Players
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Slam Poetry
- Canvas Rebel: Meet Lacroy Nixon
- Google News: Lacroy Nixon
