Tess Taylor, El Cerrito’s Poet Laureate, has been honored with a prestigious grant from the Academy of American Poets as part of the 2024 Poet Laureate Fellows program. The Academy’s Poet Laureate Fellowships recognize laureates’ literary excellence while enabling them to undertake meaningful and innovative projects that enrich the lives of community members, including youth, through responsive and interactive poetry activities.
Through this grant, Tess Taylor will mentor students at El Cerrito High School’s new literary magazine; connect local writers and editors of larger regional literary magazines with El Cerrito High School students; and help the magazine create an event where all contributors can celebrate. Taylor will also bring in Bay Area poets to offer writing workshops at each of the city’s five public schools, helping students at each location access poetry.
We eagerly anticipate the inspiring initiatives that will emerge from this support and invite you to stay tuned for updates on upcoming activities and events. We also encourage you to show your support for the El Cerrito Poet Laureate Legacy fund! To be eligible for tax deduction, these funds are managed by the El Cerrito Community Foundation, represented by Greg Lyman.
upcoming poet laureate events
DECEMBER 12, 2024 ECHS literary magazine & African American poetry club staff field trip to San Francisco literary offices at Believer Magazine and The Grotto
february 8, 2025 | EL CERRITO COMMUNITY CENTER, GARDEN ROOM (7007 Moeser Lane) PUBLIC, 4:30—6:00PM Place and Placemaking in Poetry and Photography a conversation with Ishmael Reed and Lewis Watts about writing and imagining El Cerrito/Richmond in art
MARCH 2025 TEACH-IN for ECHS students: Lunchtime mentorship Tess and 14 Hills magazine staff, lunch meeting with El Cerrito High School (ECHS) literary magazine staff
MARCH 15, 2025 | EL CERRITO COMMUNITY CENTER, GARDEN ROOM (7007 Moeser Lane) PUBLIC, 4:30—6:00PM Intergenerational Poetry Workshop with Tongo Eisen-Martin
MARCH 15, 2025 | EL CERRITO COMMUNITY CENTER, GARDEN ROOM (7007 Moeser Lane) PUBLIC, 6:30—8:00PM Bay Area All-Star Reading with Maw Shein Win, Bob Hass, Tongo Eisen-Martin, and Brenda Hillman
april 2025 tba Special Poetry Month Readings – stay tuned
may 2—3, 2025 | Youth Poetry Festival and Year End Celebration All ages welcome- fun games and readings! Stay tuned!
MAY 2, 5:00—8:00PM: EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL (540 Ashbury Ave)
MAY 3, 11:00am—3:00PM: EL CERRITO COMMUNITY CENTER, GARDEN ROOM (7007 Moeser Lane)
MAY 3, 5:00—8:00PM: EL CERRITO COMMUNITY CENTER, SOCIAL HALL (7007 Moeser Lane)
