Meet the Authors

Poetry Unit

Sheman Alexie, Jr.

"Victory"

Film-maker and prize-winning author Sherman Alexie has penned over 25 books, including short stories, novels, and poems. Alexie was born in 1966 on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington.

Photo: Chase Jarvis

Joseph Legaspi

"The Red Sweater"

"Amphibians"

Legaspi immigrated with his family from the Philippines to the U.S. at the age of 12. He has authored several poetry collections and received awards and honors, including the Global Filipino Literary Award.

Photo: Rachel Eliza Griffiths

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

"O Captain, My Captain"

One of the most famous poets of the 19th century, Whitman also worked as a journalist and editor. Whitman volunteered at military hospitals during the Civil War and held President Lincoln in high regard.

Photo: Brady Handy

Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

"Dreams"

"The Dream Keeper"

"I, Too"

"Let America Be America Again"

"Harlem"

A key figure of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s, Hughes authored poems, articles, novels, and plays. Inspired by the works of Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman at a young age, Hughes was a prolific writer who used his work to address social issues throughout his lifetime.

Photo: Getty Images

Tupac Shakur (1971-1996)

"The Rose that Grew from Concrete"

Born in 1971 as Lesane Parish Crooks, musician, actor, and writer Tupac Shakur had multiple platinum albums. His book of poetry, The Rose that Grew from Concrete, was compiled from poems written during his teen years and published in 2000.

Photo: Columbia Pictures

Source: https://www.biography.com/musician/tupac-shakur

David Nava Monreal

"Moco Limping"

Monreal has authored short stories, poems in addition to being a novelist an writer of non-fiction pieces.

Nina Cassian (1925-2014)

"A Man"

Cassian was a journalist, film critic, and author of poetry, fiction, and children's books. Born in Romania, Cassian sought political asylum in the United States in 1985 after she was exiled when her poems satirizing her president were discovered by the secret police.

Source: https://www.poetryinternational.org/pi/poet/453/Nina-Cassian/en/tile

Naomi Shihab Nye

"Famous"

Nye writes about her life as an Arab-American in poems focusing on the common thread of humanity, spreading a message of peace and unity. Nye has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for her literature, which includes novels and short stories in addition to her poems.

Photo: Don Usner

Julio Noboa Polanco

"Identity"

Writer and retired social studies professor, Dr. Julio Noboa Polanco, has worked to support education in Latino communities.

Source: Latino Rebels

Dudley Randall (1914-2000)

"Ballad of Birmingham"

In 1965, librarian Dudley Randall published the "Ballad of Birmingham," giving voice to the sorrow Americans experienced following the church bombing of 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama. The poem was later performed as a song by Jerry Moore. Dudley founded Broadside press with his librarian's paycheck, providing a forum for countless black poets to have their work published, and became Detroit's first poet laureate.

Photo: Yancey Hughes

Source: Poetry Foundation

Dwight Okita

"In Response to Executive Order 9066: All Americans of Japanese Descent Must Report to Relocation Centers"

Japanese-American author Dwight Okita has written in many genres of literature, including poetry, plays, and science fiction. Topics addressed in his work include racial and LGBT issues.

Source: Good Reads

Gary Soto

"A Red Palm"

Soto's writing primarily focuses on the experience of growing up Mexican-American. Soto has a large body of work including poetry, novels, and plays. His rich language and vivid descriptions bring his relatable characters to life.

Source: Poetry Foundation

Alberto Rios

"The Cities Inside Us"

"When Giving is All We Have"

Rios spent his early career as a traveling writing teacher, helping all who needed it. After he won the Walt Whitman Award for his poetry, he was offered a position at Arizona State University as a Professor of English. Rios has written numerous books of poetry, short stories and a memoir about growing up along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Source: Historical League

Martin Espada

"Of the Threads that Connect the Stars"

Espada has worn many hats in his life, but his efforts are primarily focused on social justice and human rights. Espada's work give voice to those who are often over-looked in society. This celebrated author is currently a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts.

Photo: David Gonzalez

Mary Tallmountain

"The Last Wolf"

Tallmountain, an Alaskan Native, found her voice through writing after being taken away from her village. An active writer of Native American literature, Tallmountain has nurtured writers from inner city San Francisco to Alaskan villages.

Source: Freedom Voices

Joy Harjo

"Remember"

"For Calling the Spirit Back from Wandering the Earth in Its Human Feet"

Native American writer Joy Harjo was born as a member of the Muscogee, or Creek, Nation. Themes in Harjo's writing reflect a depth of concern for issues in society. Harjo is widely acclaimed for her writing and became the first Native American to be named U.S. Poet Laureate in 2019.

Source: San Antonio Current

Claude McKay (1889-1948)

"If We Must Die"

Born in Jamaica in 1889, McKay later moved to New York and became a key contributor in the Harlem Renaissance movement. McKay is known for his many essays, novels and poems. His best known work, "If We Must Die," focused on themes of racial injustice and sacrifice.

Source: Biography

Lucille Clifton (1936-2010)

"Won't You Celebrate With Me"

Award-winning author Lucille Clifton wrote numerous books of poetry as well as children's books. In addition to her many honors, Clifton served as Poet Laureate for the state of Maryland for six years.

Photo: Dorothy Alexander

Farah Habad

"And Out of the Ashes"

Farah Habad is a Somali poet and communications advisor. Originally from the Bay Area, he lives in Minneapolis.

Bio from Poets.org

Francisca Aguirre (1930-2008)

"Farewell"

Spanish author Francisca Aguirre has been honored many times for her poetry and books.

Source: Spain is Culture

Linda Hogan

"History"

"Trail of Tears - Our Removal"

Linda Hogan's Chickasaw roots have influenced the focus of her writing on issues concerning Native American nations and the environment. Hogan has taught at the University of Colorado and has received numerous awards for her work.

Source: Poetry Foundation