Heights Arts selected Michelle R. Smith as the 12th Heights Poet Laureate in March 2025. Smith was chosen by the Heights Writes Community Team from multiple applicants and began her two-year term in April. The laureateship, a partnership between Heights Arts and the cities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, is Ohio’s longest-running poet laureate program.

Smith is a poet and cultural advocate who created, produced and directed Blax Museum, an annual performance event honoring Black figures in American history and culture. She is the author of “Ariel in Black,” published by Guide to Kulchur Press, and has a forthcoming book titled “The Real Jazz Wives of Twentieth Century America.”

As laureate, Smith will lead public readings, workshops and events across Cleveland Heights and University Heights. She will also run the Ekphrastacy series, in which poets create and perform original works responding to visual art exhibitions at Heights Arts. “I am truly honored to serve as the Heights Poet Laureate and look forward to a wonderful two years of connecting with the community,” Smith said.

Source: Heights Arts