Jamaican named poet laureate in US

RHODE ISLANDS, CMC – Jamaica-born writer Colin Channer has been named the seventh poet laureate for the state of Rhode Island.

He was appointed to the five-year position on Friday by Governor Dan McKee, who described him as “an accomplished writer whose talent and work have touched the lives of so many people.

I’m excited to see him continue his craft here in the Ocean State where he will not just be a leader in poetry but serve as a poetry and literary inspiration to Rhode Islanders across our state,” he added.

Channer said, “To be named State Poet is a gushy surprise and levelling honour. Poetry is many things, including a reachable, teachable way to strengthen empathy and stretch toward transcendence. It’s also just a bunch of fun.”

“I was born lucky, as my mother Phyllis, a retired pharmacist, just loves to say. This shocking honour proves her point. And hey, she’s always right!” he said.

Channer is an internationally recognised poet, fiction writer and editor.

His most recent book is the poetry collection Console which was named a New Yorker Magazine Best Book of 2023 in addition to being a finalist for the New England Book Award.

Channer is an associate professor and the director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Literary Arts at Brown University.

About The Author