Check out upcoming events with our Poet Laureate!
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Join Carlo for
The Land That Holds Us:
Native American Poetry Writing Workshop
A FREE We Are Rock Hill Poetry Festival Event!
Get inspired by Native American voices, and craft your own powerful land poem celebrating the places that have shaped your becoming in this We Are Rock Hill Festival poetry writing workshop.
Join Rock Hill Poet Laureate Carlo L’Chelle Dawson as she guides you through writing your own land poem, celebrating the places and ancestors that have shaped your becoming. This workshop dives into the poetic style of Southeastern Indigenous poets to honor the Catawba Nation, the original stewards of the land where Rock Hill now stands.
Representatives from the Catawba Cultural Center will be onsite to share stories about Catawba history and culture.
Stick around for the open mic at the end of the evening, where everyone is invited to share their work or just listen. We can’t wait to see you there!
Attendees MUST RSVP here.
Date & Time: November 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Location: Catawba Cultural Center
All experience levels are welcome.
For ages 18+
Introducing Rock Hill Youth Poetry Ambassadors!
An Initiative Created by Rock Hill Poet Laureate Carlo L'Chelle Dawson
As Rock Hill Youth Poetry Ambassadors, student leaders represent their schools and their CITY. They use their voice for impact through the power of poetry and help make a difference in their schools and their communities.
The City of Rock Hill Poetry Ambassador Program is designed to support district and state priorities related to literacy, student engagement, and college and career readiness by providing structured opportunities for student leadership in the literary arts. Through this initiative, students actively promote poetry and literacy within their schools and city, contributing to improved reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills, while serving as Rock Hill youth leaders.
This year is the pilot phase for our Rock Hill Youth Poetry Ambassador program. The program will be open to all Rock Hill schools next year.
Check out upcoming events with our Youth Poet Laureate!
Crowning our Next Rock Hill Youth Poet Laureate &
Celebrating our Current Youth Poet Laureate
Kh'Mani Gilliam
Teen open mic, open to ages 12-18;
All ages may attend.
Teens are invited to perform spoken word or a musical piece at the Teen Open Mic Night! All artists will have 3-5 minutes to perform. Practice performing, try out your latest piece, and meet other like-minded creative types. All poetry styles are welcome! Register online here to participate.
Want to attend but not perform? Take a seat, relax, and ENJOY! We welcome and encourage all levels of performers, novice to expert.
The candidates for Rock Hill’s Youth Poet Laureate will also be performing selected pieces, and the new Youth Poet Laureate will be announced at the event.
Performers must be 12-18, but event is open to all teens, their friends and family. Register online here or call (803) 981-5870, starting October 23. Limit 50. Poetry pieces need to have family friendly content and submitted to the Library prior to the event.
Price: $0
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: York County Library-Main, 138 E Black St Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 981-5870
Our Poet Laureate Carlo L'Chelle Dawson featured in a special interview by PBS Charlotte.
Our Poet Laureate Carlo L'Chelle Dawson featured in a special interview by PBS Charlotte.
We are so proud of you Carlo!
We are so proud of you Carlo!
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Purpose
Purpose
The City of Rock Hill Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate use their roles to create awareness and appreciation for poetry through community outreach, civic engagement, commemoration of the city, and the promotion of literacy across the greater Rock Hill area.
“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.”
- Robert Frost
History
History
The City of Rock Hill Poet Laureate program is an initiative launched in 2018 by Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys. The program is managed by the Poet Laureate Committee, made up of representatives from local arts, nonprofit, education, and community organizations.
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