(City of Boston)
BOSTON (AP) — Boston's new poet laureate is a Jamaica Plain resident who co-founded a poetry slam venue in Roxbury.
Mayor Marty Walsh announced Monday that Porsha Olayiwola will formally begin her role on Jan. 1.
Olayiwola is the artistic director of MassLEAP, a nonprofit organization that serves young artists. She also co-founded The House Slam, which offers poetry slams and open mic events.
Olayiwola says in a statement that she's "eager and humbled" to serve in the role. She says she wants to establish a youth poet laureate program, among other things.
Poet laureates serve four-year terms. They attended public readings, poetry events and other functions to help promote the literary arts in the city.
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