CCNY alumna Kay Bell is the 2023-2025 Bronx Poet Laureate

Kay Bell, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of English and academic advisor in the Division of Humanities and the Arts at The City College of New York, is the 2023-2025 Bronx Poet Laureate. During her tenure, she will promote the history of poetry in the Bronx and ignite a passion for poetry and creative expression throughout the borough through various community engagements.

Bell is an alumna of City College and received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 2015 and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in 2019. 

“I am confident that working closely with the Bronx community as Poet Laureate will give me the opportunity to deepen my empathy for my students and provide deeper reflection for my writing,” said Bell. “This will be a result of me going into the position to learn as much as I educate.” 

She is also the author of the poetry book, “Diary of an Intercessor,” which details her journey with religion, relationships and self-discovery. Her poem "Girl" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in poetry. Kay lives in the South Bronx and considers herself a bibliophile. 

“I know genuine collaboration will take place in all aspects of my career and work. To quote bell hooks: ‘As a classroom community, our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another's voices, in recognizing one another's presence,’” said Bell. “I am deeply passionate about the voices within the Bronx Community and know those are some of the same voices in my classroom and advising office. I am ready to continue listening, giving and growing together in all aspects of my work as an educator and writer.”

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