DC Mayor Receives Award from Poet Laureate at Black History Month Poetry Event

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) February 19, 2006 -- Washington, DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams took a poetry class in college and found that he was inspired by verse and enjoyed reading poetry.

"I am moved by poetry, and I'm glad that I took that class in college," said the Mayor as he accepted an award from Dolores Kendrick, Poet Laureate for the District of Columbia Honorary Tribute during the Winter Seasonal & Black History Month Poetry Event. Held Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, at the John Wilson Building, the noonday occasion was also in celebration of Mayor Williams for his long time support of Poetry and the Arts.

The event featured noted poets E. Ethelbert Miller and Grace Cavalieri, along with actor David Toney from the Shakespeare Theatre. Mills read works by Langston Hughes in tribute to the Harlem Renaissance literary giant’s 100th anniversary. The Doc Powell Ensemble rounded out the occasion, by adding African Drumming.

Instrumental in advocating the Spoken Word Renaissance in the District, the Mayor and Poet Laureate offer other initiatives advancing the poetic arts. Included is a Poet Laureate’s High School Awards program where students perform at Duke Ellington High School. They are recognized for their talent in the spoken word. The annual Poet-in-Progress Awards program held at the Folger Library Haskell Center features several local outstanding, yet unpublished poets. The Mayor congratulated the Poet Laureate for her dedicated hard work and looks forward to other spoken word initiatives. After all, he loves poetry.

# # #