5 Black Poets For Students To Study And Know

April 21, 2026

This article highlights five contemporary Black poets as part of National Poetry Month, emphasizing poetry's deep roots in Black culture as a form of resistance, truth-telling, and artistic expression. Despite poetry's significance to the Black experience—serving as a vehicle for rebellion and resilience throughout history—recent surveys show declining readership rates among Black Americans, dropping from 15% in 2017 to 8% in 2022. The featured poets include Amanda Gorman, known for her Biden inauguration performance; Hanif Abdurraqib, who explores urban life and social issues; Danez Smith, who addresses Blackness and queerness; Tracy K.

Who is affected

Black Americans (particularly regarding poetry readership rates)
Students and adults interested in contemporary poetry
The five featured poets: Amanda Gorman, Hanif Abdurraqib, Danez Smith, Tracy K. Smith, and Jasmine Mans
Black women (specifically addressed in Jasmine Mans's work)
Readers of Word In Black publication

What action is being taken

Word In Black is compiling and publishing a list of five Black contemporary poets for National Poetry Month

Why it matters

Poetry is deeply embedded in the Black experience as a form of resistance, truth-telling, beauty, and resilience, with historical significance dating back to figures like Phyllis Wheatley and Langston Hughes. Despite this cultural importance, poetry readership among Black Americans has declined from 15% in 2017 to 8% in 2022, falling below the national average of 12%. Making contemporary Black poets more accessible helps counter perceptions that poetry is only for elites or academics, while preserving an art form that serves as a powerful medium for addressing critical issues like racial justice, identity, marginalization, and social inequality that directly impact Black communities.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint