I am a poet, educator, and community leader from Paterson, New Jersey, where I've dedicated my life to bridging the worlds of poetry, education, and social justice. Since 2018, I've had the honor of serving as Paterson's first African American Poet Laureate, a role that reflects my deep commitment to elevating voices and stories that have long deserved center stage.
My work spans multiple dimensions of literary and educational leadership. As President of Word Seed Inc., a nonprofit organization I founded, I've created platforms that nurture emerging writers and celebrate the transformative power of language. I also serve as Executive Director of the Paterson Poetry Festival and Vice President of CavanKerry Press, roles that allow me to amplify diverse voices in the literary community.
Currently, I'm pursuing my doctorate in Education at National University's Sanford College of Education, where my dissertation explores "The Poem as Punctum: A Narrative Action Research Study of Poetry's Role in Developing Poetic Empathetic Leadership." This research embodies my belief that poetry is not merely an art form—it is a catalyst for developing empathy, fostering leadership, and creating meaningful social change.
In the classroom, I teach AP Seminar at College Achieve Public Schools High School, working with brilliant 10th-grade scholars—primarily Black and Latino students, many of whom are multilingual learners. Through culturally responsive pedagogy and affirming language, I help young people discover their voices, develop critical thinking skills, and see themselves as the brilliant intellectuals they are.
Beyond these roles, I've established numerous cultural initiatives including Paterson Poetry Month and the Passaic County Literary Arts Cultural Center. My mission is simple yet profound: to demonstrate that poetry and education are not separate from leadership and social justice—they are essential tools for building a more empathetic, equitable world.
