2024: Bronx Voted Kay Bell Best Poet!
Kay Bell
Visionary poet and South Bronx resident Kay Bell currently holds the distinct title of the 2023-2025 Bronx Poet Laureate. Bell has authored two collections of poetry, “Cry Sweat Bleed Write” and “Diary of an Intercessor.” She views the process of writing poetry as a birthing floor for healing, invention and reimagination. Her poetry is meant to both bless and bruise inquiring readers. In addition to writing her poetry, Kay works as an Adjunct Professor and Academic Advisor at The City College of New York, where she earned her MFA. She is also viewed as a community leader within the South Bronx. Be sure to check out her poetries. Perhaps her works can end up inspiring you to pursue poetry as well.
2023: Bronx Voted Caridad De La Luz Best Poet!
Caridad De La Luz
caridaddelaluz.com
Widely published and multiple award-winning spoken word poet Caridad De La Luz takes a look at social justice and her New York Puerto Rican roots in her renowned verse. The poet’s “urban, raw, empowering” verse includes revered WTC written after the 9/11 attacks and performed on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam in 2002. A multi-faceted creative person De La Luz as a poet debuted at the Nuyorican Poets Café in 1996 and is now on its board of directors. Her open mics and celebrated Moth storytelling performance are some of the ways the revered talent has shared her literary and performance gifts.
2022: Bronx Voted Caridad De La Luz Best Poet!
Caridad De La Luz
caridaddelaluz.com
Caridad De La Luz is a force to be reckoned with in the poetry space. Known as “La Bruja,” Caridad is a multifaceted performer who has touched on a number of spaces. She is a winner of the coveted 2021 David Prize and was selected as a Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship 2019-2021. She is considered to be one of the leading spoken word poets in the country and has been recognized as a Top 20 Puerto Rican Women Everyone Should Know, earning additional accolades as the Puerto Rican Women Legacy Award, The Bronx’s own Edgar Allan Poe Award and was named a Bronx Living Legend. Caridad is currently working on an art space – El Garaje – in the Soundview section of The Bronx and debuted her newest show “From Poor to Rico” at the Bronx’s own Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture this past June.