Biography: A rare talent who grabs you by the heart and says “Recognize” – Poet, author, performer, songwriter, community “Artivist,” voice over artist, teaching artists, speaker and emcee, Bettina “Poet Gold” Wilkerson is pushing the boundaries of poetry and the spoken word. Living with a chronic illness since childhood, Poet Gold, or as she is affectionately known as, “Gold”, brings a soul-searching insight about the human existence, love, dreams, challenges, and triumph.

Appointed the 2017 and 2018 NYS Dutchess County Poet Laureate, Poet Gold is the recipient of numerous awards which include the 2016 Dutchess County Executive’s Artivist Award and the Dutchess County Athena Award honoree. With countless recitations, she has opened for Grammy-nominated artists and has spoken at renowned organizations such as Omega Institute and Self Employment in the Arts.

As a teaching artist, Poet Gold has collaborated with institutions and non-profits who support STEAM education. She has worked with at risk youth (Youth with Promise) and has served organizations who utilize the arts to confront issues such as gun violence in their communities to social justice. Poet Gold’s speaking engagements and non-traditional poetry workshops engage audiences in understanding the direct connection between literacy, elevating their voice, goal setting, and the achievement of their dreams.

Presently she is the co-host for the iHeart Radio show and podcast “Finding Out with Pete and The Poet Gold,” as well as Creator and Host for the online web-series “Leading with Artivism”, a collaboration with Arts Mid-Hudson. Poet Gold’s distinct voice and poetry can be heard in the American Heart Association NYC 2022 “Go Red for Women” campaign.

Poet Gold is an activist of the heart. Her words inspire to explore the essence of humanity.

To learn more about “Poet Gold” visit: www.poetgold.com