May 3rd 2024.
The city of Detroit has proudly announced their newest poet laureate, Jessica Care Moore, who is deeply rooted in the vibrant cultural fabric of the city. Moore, a lifelong Detroiter, will be responsible for organizing poetry events throughout the city and will contribute to initiatives that celebrate and embrace the diversity of Detroit's community. As part of her role, she will deliver an annual address at the Detroit Public Library and create a unique poem for the end-of-year presentation.
During the press conference on April 30th, Moore expressed her hopes that her new position will shed light on the untapped potential and brilliance of the city's youth. She passionately stated, "I only hope that with this new role, I can inspire and unlock the hidden talents within our schools. Poetry is for everyone and has the power to change lives. It saved my own life."
The appointment of Moore as the poet laureate was met with praise from Mayor Mike Duggan, who acknowledged that this recognition was long overdue and is now officially official. The two-year position is sponsored by The Ford Foundation, and Moore is eager to use this platform to elevate the art of poetry and showcase the talent within Detroit.
In her vision for the future, Moore hopes to see poetry integrated into educational environments. She advocates for a curriculum that includes contemporary writers and poets, stating, "We have great poets in this city. Let's bring them into the classroom." This aligns with Director Rochelle Riley's goals for Detroit, emphasizing the importance of performing arts in nurturing local talent and encouraging them to stay in the city instead of seeking fame elsewhere.
But Moore's talents go beyond poetry. She is also an activist, filmmaker, and publisher, and the founder of The Moore Art House, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy in Detroit. Moore, a product of Detroit's public schools, continued her education at Wayne State and Michigan State before establishing her own publishing company, Moore Black Press, in Brooklyn in 1997. Through her company, she has published works from acclaimed writers such as Saul Williams, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Danny Simmons. She has also recently signed a deal with HarperCollins to release poetry and spoken word audiobooks in 2024.
Moore's diverse artistry has earned her widespread recognition, from lending her voice to the Pure Michigan campaign in 2023 to collaborating with notable hip-hop artists like Common, Nas, and Jeezy. Her upcoming project, "We Are Scorpio," a rock and roll album featuring powerhouse singer Steffanie Christ'ian, is set to release in June 2024 under the label of Talib Kweli.
In 2023, Moore was invited to perform at the Shabazz Center alongside iconic figures like Angela Davis and Benjamin Crump, at the request of Malcolm X's family. She is also set to release her first feature film, "He Looked Like A Postcard," in June 2024.
In addition to her many achievements, Moore has also graced the stage at BLACK ENTERPRISE's "Woman of Power" poetry jam. Her talents and contributions to the city of Detroit have made her a highly respected and celebrated figure, and her appointment as the city's poet laureate is a testament to her dedication and passion for the art of poetry.
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