Meet Newark’s First ‘Poet Laureate’; City Launches New Program

NEWARK, NJ — Newark officially has its first-ever poet laureate: Margie “Mia X” Johnson.

Earlier this year, city officials announced that Newark was launching a search for a new poet laureate. The position is responsible for promoting the literary arts, encouraging local writers and poets, creating a community dialogue and bringing attention to poetry in “less traditional settings.”

It isn’t just a fancy title: the post receives an honorarium of $5,000 per year, as well as a programmatic budget of up to $10,000 per year, administered by the city’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The search is over, officials announced Wednesday.

Here’s what to know about Mia X:

“Ms. Johnson is an artist, educator, poet, and community organizer with deep roots in Newark. A graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies, she has devoted her career to youth development, community engagement, and cultural empowerment. As the host and producer of The People’s Open Mic for the past 16 years—Newark’s longest-running open mic—she has created a vibrant platform for amplifying diverse voices. She is also the founder of Hug the Block, a public art initiative that brings poetry, visual art, live music, and hip-hop ciphers to Newark’s neighborhoods.”

“This appointment is truly a dream come true and I am honored to serve my city,” Johnson said.

As part of her appointment, Johnson will collaborate with Dodge Poetry, a joint initiative of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) that produces a biennial poetry festival and year-round poetry programming in Newark. She will work with the Newark Public School District and the Newark Public Library to expand poetry engagement efforts.

Johnson also plans to lead writing workshops, listening sessions, and community engagement activities in all of Newark’s wards – culminating in a collaborative spoken word album.

Watch a video of Mia X reading her poetry tribute to Harriet Tubman.

“If the health of a city can be measured in art, Newark is a thriving organism, with a strong pulse, an impassioned heart, a clear head and a truthful tongue,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“It is my deep pleasure to announce Margie ‘Mia X’ Johnson as our city’s Poet Laureate, and to share the expansive spirit of her expression with the world,” Baraka said.

A new poet laureate will be chosen every two years.

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