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Date: February 20, 2025
Media Contact:
Bob Wheaton, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, 517-241-4395
Ken Coleman, Department Spokesperson, 517-241-4395
LANSING – Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd has been selected to be the third poet laureate in the state’s history, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Library of Michigan announced today.
Dr. Boyd is an award-winning author of 13 books, nine of which are poetry. Her works "Death Dance of a Butterfly" and "Roses and Revolutions: The Selected Writings of Dudley Randall" were both honored by the Library of Michigan as Michigan Notable Books selections.
“We are excited to have Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd serve as Michigan poet laureate,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “We know that Dr. Boyd will continue to share her love of poetry with Michiganders of all ages in ways that promote literacy through the joy of reading and writing.”
Dr. Boyd is a recently retired distinguished professor in African American Studies at Wayne State University and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies. Her poetry, essays, and creative nonfiction have appeared in anthologies, academic journals, cultural periodicals and newspapers in the United States and Europe. The Kresge Foundation honored her as the 2023 Kresge Eminent Artist.
She has a doctor of arts in English from the University of Michigan and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Western Michigan University.
“I am honored and excited being named the poet laureate of Michigan,” Dr. Boyd said. “Although I have lived in other states and other parts of the world, Michigan is where I was born and raised. I have spent most of my life here. This is where I became a poet, learned to appreciate and respect nature, and to cherish and inspire humanity. I look forward to sharing my poetry with a broad range of audiences across the two peninsulas and encouraging our young people to recognize the power of poetry to stimulate creative thinking and as a passionate cultural resource.”
Dr. Boyd was chosen by the Michigan Poet Laureate selection committee from a diverse pool of candidates following a public nomination process. Nominees were reviewed by a selection committee of poets and literary experts from around the state as well as representatives from the Library of Michigan and MDE.
As the Michigan poet laureate, Dr. Boyd will meet with students, teachers, and residents across the state in schools and libraries to promote poetry, spoken word, and literary arts.
A native of and resident of Detroit, Dr. Boyd’s works are often influenced by her time growing up in the city as well as through her experience working as an assistant editor for Mr. Dudley Randall, the founder of Broadside Press.
“She is a rare combination of poet, researcher, and teacher,” said State Librarian Mr. Randy Riley. “Dr. Boyd’s poetry goes beyond just creative writing. It wraps you with the experiences of Michiganders, and often elevates voices of the past through a combination of history and verse.”
Dr. Boyd succeeds outgoing Michigan poet laureate Ms. Nandi Comer, who served as poet laureate from 2023 to the end of 2024.
“Melba Joyce Boyd's appointment as the poet laureate of Michigan is a cause for celebration,” Comer said. “Her creative spirit, remarkable achievements, and strong ties to Michigan's cultural heritage will undoubtedly enrich the state's literary arts scene. I am eager to see the positive impact she will have as she shares her distinctive voice and perspective with communities throughout Michigan.”
Prior to Comer’s selection, Michigan had only appointed one other state poet laureate. Mr. Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959) held the title of poet laureate of the state of Michigan from 1952 until his death in 1959.
Learn more about the Michigan Poet Program at Michigan.gov/PoetLaureate.
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The Library of Michigan is an agency within the Michigan Department of Education and is dedicated to providing the people of this state and their government one perpetual institution to collect, preserve and provide access to the story of the State, and to support libraries in their role as essential community anchors. To learn more, visit www.Michigan.gov/LibraryofMichigan.