On January 22, 2024, the Alabama Council of the Arts awarded the University of South Alabama’s very own Chair of the Creative Writing department, Dr. Charlotte Pence, the first title of poet laureate in the history of Mobile. In response to receiving the title, Dr. Pence said she was “honored to be selected as Mobile’s inaugural poet laureate,” and that her “hope is to uplift as many voices as possible from this vibrant, multi-faceted community.” As poet laureate, she will host three class visits a year to public schools in Mobile,  present poetry at the Mobile Art Walk, and publish an anthology book, among other responsibilities. 

There will be a standing poetry reading during every Art Walk with the hope of having a rotation of poets from the city be able to perform their pieces, so be sure you are downtown every second Friday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. to support some of Mobile’s finest poets.

Regarding finding poets to perform at the Art Walks, Pence said that the process has been “very organic.” She has already been able to work with various groups and people around town such as Prism, PowerLine, and Deborah Ferguson, the Dancing Story Lady. During the month of October, the Mobile Art Walk, will host an open mic for Breast Cancer Awareness. “[This open mic is for] anyone who wants to read a poem for someone who has experienced breast cancer, someone who wants to honor someone they know or someone who has gone through it themselves,” said Pence.

Traditionally, anthologies produced by a poet laureate mainly comprise the individual’s work, but Pence plans to open a call for submissions, in addition to several of her own poems. Pence says that both historically and in the present day that “poetry is meant for the community,” and she is leading by example, lending many of her talents around town. Two poets inspiring her at the present moment are Major and Didi Jackson.

The Stokes Center for Creative Writing sponsored both Major and Didi Jackson on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 as part of their Visiting Writers Series. In the future, the center plans on hosting other writers; including Yuri Herrera, Daniel Wallace and Jennifer Croft. If you get a chance, go check them out and get your books signed!

To keep up with readings and events follow the Stokes Center for Creative Writing on Instagram and Facebook. Congratulations to Dr. Pence for being named the first Poet Laureate of Mobile, Alabama! Keep up the incredible work.