Mass Cultural Council is honored to announce that today (May 30, 2025), at the start of the Mass Poetry Festival in Salem, Governor Maura Healey swore in Regie Gibson as the inaugural Poet Laureate of Massachusetts.
The Poet Laureate of Massachusetts is an honorary, statewide position responsible for inspiring the next generation of poets and readers; advancing literacy, education, and shared understanding; and expanding access to the transformative power of poetry for every resident of the state. The Poet Laureate reports to the Governor’s Office, serves for a two-year term, and may be reappointed for up to one additional two-year term.
Regie Gibson, a former National Poetry Slam Individual Champion and a past Mass Cultural Council grantee, said of the announcement, “I am so gratified to be in a state that believes poetry is not only a worthy endeavor – but a civic good.”
Mass Cultural Council was proud to administer the application process along with our state partner Mass Humanities.
Read more about Regie Gibson as Poet Laureate of Massachusetts.
Kevin Driscoll says
Congratulations from a bunch of dummies in Boston!
Sheila McGuinness says
Regie Gibson’s performance of his sweeping inaugural poem literally moved me to tears—bravo, man!
Don Carlson says
I was very fortunate today to be in the audience at a Makanda Project concert where Regie Gibson gave a spoken word performance. I was knocked out. He was dynamic, profound, and yes, poetic. What a sensational choice for our first poet laureate!