Lannan Foundation

Nathalie Handal is a Palestinian-American poet, playwright, and essayist known for her work that explores themes of identity, displacement, and belonging. She has published several poetry collections, including 'The Never-Ending' and 'Love and Strange Horses', and her writing has appeared in various prestigious literary journals. Handal is also a professor and has been involved in numerous cultural and literary initiatives.

Naomi Shihab Nye is a Palestinian-American poet, songwriter, and children's author. She is known for her poignant and accessible poetry that often reflects her multicultural heritage and experiences. Nye has published numerous collections, including 'Hugging the Jukebox' and 'The Tiny Journalist'. She has received several awards for her work, including the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award and the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. Nye is also a prominent advocate for poetry in education.

Tracy K. Smith is an American poet and educator, known for her profound and evocative poetry that explores themes of identity, history, and the human experience. She served as the 22nd Poet Laureate of the United States from 2017 to 2019 and has received numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2012 for her collection 'Life on Mars.' Smith is also a professor at Princeton University, where she teaches creative writing.

Joy Harjo is a renowned Native American poet, musician, and author, who served as the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States from 2019 to 2021. Her work often reflects her Indigenous heritage and addresses themes of social justice, feminism, and the environment. Harjo has published several poetry collections, including 'An American Sunrise' and 'The Woman Who Fell from the Sky,' and has received numerous accolades, including the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and the Wallace Stevens Award.

Nikky Finney is an acclaimed American poet, novelist, and educator known for her powerful and evocative writing that addresses themes of race, identity, and social justice. She is the author of several award-winning books, including 'Head Off & Split,' which won the National Book Award for Poetry in 2011. Finney's work often reflects her deep commitment to activism and her exploration of African American history and culture.

Randall Kenan was an American author and professor, celebrated for his contributions to contemporary literature, particularly in the realm of Southern fiction. His notable works include 'A Visitation of Spirits' and 'Let the Dead Bury Their Dead,' which explore themes of race, sexuality, and the complexities of Southern life. Kenan was also a respected educator, teaching creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kevin Young is a prominent American poet, essayist, and editor, known for his dynamic and innovative approach to poetry. He has published numerous collections, including 'Brown' and 'Book of Hours,' and has received several prestigious awards for his work. Young is also the poetry editor at The New Yorker and has been involved in various literary and cultural initiatives that promote the voices of underrepresented writers.