Kristoddie Woods was named the third Dallas Poet Laureate and Cadence Diggs was named the Youth Poet Laureate on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Mayor Eric Johnson announced the two newest Dallas Poets Laureate. The official government appointment signifies that the poets will act as literary arts ambassadors in the city for the duration of their terms. Kristoddie Woods, who writers professionally under the name Black Ceasar Poetry, will be the Dallas Poet Laureate for the next two years, and Cadence Diggs—who attends Booker T. Washington High School—will be the Youth Poet Laureate for the city. The announcement comes during National Poetry Month’s 30th anniversary, making the occasion even more special.
Speaking at the City Hall reception held yesterday, Mayor Johnson said, “Our poet laureate will represent the city as an ambassador of the literary arts — Bringing residents together around a shared appreciation of poetry, both written and spoken.” The Director of Dallas Public Library, Manya Shorr, emphasized that the Poet Laureate’s job goes beyond writing. “The work of our poets laureate matters so deeply — they help us see one another more clearly,” she said. Woods was candid about how moved he was by the appointment, saying it was “so heartwarming and life-changing.” He added, “I had a lot of things I wanted to say, but my God is good and I know that he has plans. I’m gonna put my heart and soul into the city and give you guys everything I can.”
Woods will serve a two-year term, during which time he’ll write and perform poetry, craft original pieces for events in the Dallas community, and help develop outreach programs and activities to encourage more people to write, read, and perform poetry themselves. The official press release notes that members of the public will be able to attend office hours with Woods at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library for advice and assistance. Prior to being named the Dallas Poet Laureate, the 33-year-old’s career included filmmaking, teaching, and other writing ventures, as well as Emmy-winning performances with both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers.
For Diggs, her term will last one year and she’ll work in conjunction with Woods to help foster a deeper love and understanding of poetry throughout the city. Like her literary counterpart, Diggs was equally moved by the honor. “This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my writing and to use this title to inspire other young writers and creatives out there,” she told The Dallas Morning News. The 17-year-old is currently a junior in high school where she founded the Pegasi Poetry Society, of which she serves as the creative writing organization’s president.
Dallas’s Poet Laureate program was established in 2021
The Poet Laureate program was originally established in Dallas in 2021 as a way to formally acknowledge the work of local poets who provide a steady source of creativity and inspiration to the Big D. The Joe M. and Doris R. Dealey Family Foundation and the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Inc. fund it annually. During Mayor Eric Johnson’s announcement yesterday, he noted the importance of carrying on this tradition each year. “April is National Poetry Month, as well as Dallas Arts Month — This month, I call upon civic leaders, educators, librarians, and all the people of Dallas to celebrate the cultural riches of our community, including our new Dallas poet laureates,” he said.
The city has a vibrant poetry scene which you can dive into with ease. Several events are being held across Dallas over the next few weeks, which you can find more information on here. The Dallas Poetry Society is also a great resource for those looking to connect with like-minded artists and individuals.
