The Race for Cincinnati’s Next Poet Laureate

CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Poet Laureate serves as the city’s literary ambassador, using poetry to engage, uplift, and inspire the community. Established in 2015, this position has historically been filled by poets deeply rooted in Cincinnati’s literary culture. However, in a time when spoken word is reclaiming its space in the broader literary world, the title is evolving and with it, the conversation about who best represents the poetic voice of the city.

Recently, Nick Fury Blackburn, a lifelong Cincinnati native and leading figure in the city’s poetry scene, was ruled ineligible for the position due to a residency requirement that disqualifies applicants who live outside the city limits. While Fury’s work has been at the heart of Cincinnati’s poetry scene curating shows, mentoring young poets, and leading Def Poets Society; He does not meet the strict geographic criteria for consideration.

Rather than seeing this as a loss, Fury has shifted the spotlight to a poet he believes is more than deserving of the honor: Moneeca “Mo Poetry” Phillips.

Mo Poetry: A Legacy of Service Through Verse

For years, Mo Poetry has been a driving force in Cincinnati’s poetry and arts community. As the founder of Regal Rhythms Poetry, Hit the Mic Cincy, and the Arts Equity Collective, she has created countless platforms for poets to perform, grow, and connect. Her work isn’t just about performance, it’s about impact.

One of her most powerful contributions has been through Krystal Clear Suicide Prevention, where she has used poetry as a means of communication and healing. By bringing poetry workshops into local schools, community centers, and youth programs, Mo Poetry has empowered young people to express their struggles, find their voices, and see poetry as more than just words on a page—it’s a tool for survival.

Fury is unwavering in his support. “I can’t think of another person more deserving in our poetry community,” he said. “Mo Poetry has given me so many opportunities as a poet to speak in rooms I never dreamed of. She’s already doing the work that a Poet Laureate should do—whether she has the title or not.”

Others in the poetry community agree. Def Poets Society members, along with a broad coalition of local poets, educators, and artists, have voiced their support for Mo Poetry, believing that she is the perfect candidate to take on the role.

Spoken Word Poets Are Redefining Poet Laureate Roles Nationwide

The Poet Laureate title has long been associated with academia and traditional literary circles, often favoring poets with published collections and university affiliations. However, in recent years, a shift has been taking place across the country.

Cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have embraced spoken word poets as their laureates, recognizing the power of performance poetry to reach people in ways that the written word alone cannot. These poets don’t just write—they perform, engage, and build community. They bring poetry to the streets, to classrooms, to people who may never pick up a book of poetry but will be moved by a voice speaking directly to them.

If Mo Poetry is chosen, she would continue this legacy, ensuring that Cincinnati’s poetic voice is not just something to be read in books but something to be felt, heard, and lived in the community.

A Call to Action: Support Poetry in Cincinnati

With the selection process now underway, the community has an opportunity to rally behind Mo Poetry and advocate for a Poet Laureate who represents all aspects of Cincinnati’s poetry culture. Whether through attending poetry events, participating in workshops, or engaging with local poetry organizations, now is the time to show support for a more inclusive and community-driven literary scene.

Cincinnati’s poetry community is thriving. Now, it’s up to The Mercantile Library to decide whether the next Poet Laureate will reflect the growing movement of poets who do more than write—they ignite change.