The Revolutionary Writers Poetry Festival (May 15–17, Baltimore City) is a three-day, statewide literary convening created and hosted by me in my capacity as Poet Laureate of Maryland. This festival is my official creative project as Laureate and is currently being fully funded through my personal investment, reflecting both my commitment to Maryland’s literary community and the urgent need for sustained support of poets across the state.
The festival is designed as an intergenerational, cross-regional platform centering craft, performance, publishing, and economic sustainability for poets. Day One launches at The Voxel with a Bootcamp Poets Meet Up and Orientation, followed by a ticketed one-woman show, Old Bayby by Unique the Word, and The Underground Slam hosted by Black Chakra. This opening evening establishes both professional rigor and community celebration.
Days Two and Three take place at Baltimore Unity Hall and expand into a statewide learning laboratory. Workshops include The Elements, The Art of Editing, Mastering Performance, Writing for Social Justice, Writing with Humor, Writing for Healing, Writing for the Stage, Mastering the Page, The Myth of Writer’s Block, and Writing Without Apologies. Panels such as Making Money with Poetry, Perform for Feedback, and A Conversation with Poet Laureates directly address sustainability and professional pathways. Evening programming includes the Queens of Poetry Showcase, Networking Open Mic, Tag Team Slam, Film Screening, and community After Party.
The Revolutionary Writers Poetry Festival fills a critical gap in Maryland’s literary ecosystem. While readings are common, comprehensive craft-to-career festivals led by a sitting Poet Laureate are rare. This initiative connects emerging and established writers, provides professional development, and strengthens statewide networks. It prioritizes accessibility, offering multiple open-to-all sessions and community-centered events.