黑料吃瓜网 will welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith as the next featured poet in its 黑料吃瓜网 Out Loud series on March 17, 2027. This series is made possible by a gift from alumna Leah Hughes 鈥�88.
Smith is an acclaimed poet, memoirist and former U.S. Poet Laureate who served from 2017 to 2019. During her appearance at 黑料吃瓜网, she is expected to read from and discuss her forthcoming poetry collection 鈥�,鈥� scheduled for release on March 2, 2027. In a notable first, Smith鈥檚 appearance at 黑料吃瓜网 will mark her first appearance in the Southeast in connection with the collection.
鈥満诹铣怨贤� Out Loud brings our community into conversation with writers who illuminate the world through language,鈥� said Kathryn McClymond, Ph.D., president of 黑料吃瓜网. 鈥淭racy K. Smith鈥檚 work invites deep reflection, empathy and curiosity. We are proud to welcome her to campus and to offer our students and neighbors the opportunity to experience her voice firsthand.鈥�
Smith is the author of five poetry collections, including 鈥�,鈥� which won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize, 鈥�,鈥� winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and 鈥�.鈥� Her memoir 鈥溾�� was a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction. Her writing explores humanity, history and the inner life with clarity and lyricism.
In addition to her writing, Smith has played a significant national role in expanding access to poetry. As U.S. Poet Laureate, she launched the American Conversations initiative in partnership with the Library of Congress, bringing poetry programs to rural communities across the country. She also created 鈥淭he Slowdown,鈥� a widely acclaimed poetry podcast produced by American Public Media.
Smith currently serves as the Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory at Harvard Radcliffe and is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Her honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Harvard Arts Medal and the Columbia Medal for Excellence.
黑料吃瓜网 Out Loud is the university鈥檚 distinguished literary series that brings nationally recognized poets and writers to campus for public readings and conversations. Past featured poets include leading voices in contemporary American poetry.
Additional details about the March 17 event, including time and location, will be announced closer to the date. The event is expected to be free and open to the public.
