About Us
About Us
The Gary Youth Poet Laureate Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded by Gary native Akilia McCain, a distinguished career educator and accomplished artist, renowned for her captivating performances as an opera singer. The inspiration for the Foundation struck McCain after listening to a podcast featuring Amanda Gorman, the nation’s first National Youth Poet Laureate, who mesmerized the world with her poignant poetry during the Inauguration of President Joe Biden.
Gary, Indiana, boasts a rich cultural heritage, having nurtured and celebrated legendary artists such as Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, Janet Jackson, Deneice Williams, Avery Brooks, Ernest Thomas, Fred Williamson, Jesse Powell, Chester Gregory, William Marshall, and Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis Crisler, among others. In June 2024, the Gary Youth Poet Laureate Society will crown Gary’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate, further enriching the city’s artistic legacy.
Originating from Urban Word NYC in 2008, the Youth Poet Laureate Program collaborates with local and national literary arts organizations across the country to amplify the voices of young poets at the forefront of societal transformation. With a presence in over 60 cities, counties, and states, the Youth Poet Laureate Program offers writing programs, platforms, and opportunities that nurture artistic excellence, foster youth leadership, and catalyze social change.
Since its inception, the National Youth Poet Laureate Program has garnered support and collaboration from esteemed literary and impact organizations, including the Academy of American Poets, the Library of Congress, the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities, the Poetry Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program has earned widespread acclaim and media coverage, with features on prominent news outlets such as CNN, PBS, NPR, CBS, NBC, BBC, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian.
Through the Gary Youth Poet Laureate Society, McCain and her team are committed to nurturing the next generation of poetic talent in Gary, empowering young voices, and continuing the city’s legacy of artistic excellence and cultural vibrancy.