Naomi Long Madgett awarded 2012 Kresge Eminent Artist
Detroit Poet Laureate Naomi Long Madgett.
The 2012 Kresge Eminent Artist Award goes to Naomi Long Madgett.
She’s an award winning poet, editor, and educator. She’s often called the godmother of African-American poetry.
Dr. Madgett says the award came as a complete surprise because she didn’t even know she was being considered for the award.
“So it means a great deal to me that I can be alive to realize that my life’s work has had some positive effect on other people’s lives,” she tell Michigan Radio’s Jennifer White.
According to Dr. Madgett, a lot people stay away from poetry because they don’t understand it. She says, “the wonderful thing about poetry is that it is open to many interpretations….poetry is a universal expression.” Read more >