Margie “Mia X” Johnson, Newark’s inaugural Poet Laureate

(NEWARK, NJ) -- On March 12, 2025, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the appointment of poet Margie "Mia X" Johnson as Newark's inaugural Poet Laureate, a ceremonial role designed to promote the literary arts and inspire residents. The newly launched Poet Laureate program will appoint a local poet to this position every two years to encourage creative expression, spotlight poetry in non-traditional settings, and foster dialogue among poets, cultural organizations, and community institutions.

“If the health of a city can be measured in art, Newark is a thriving organism, with a strong pulse, an impassioned heart, a clear head and a truthful tongue,” said Mayor Baraka. “It is my deep pleasure to announce Margie ‘Mia X’ Johnson as our city’s Poet Laureate, and to share the expansive spirit of her expression with the world.”

Ms. Johnson is an artist, educator, poet, and community organizer with deep roots in Newark. A graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies, she has devoted her career to youth development, community engagement, and cultural empowerment. As the host and producer of The People’s Open Mic for the past 16 years—Newark’s longest-running open mic—she has created a vibrant platform for amplifying diverse voices. She is also the founder of Hug the Block, a public art initiative that brings poetry, visual art, live music, and hip-hop ciphers to Newark’s neighborhoods.

“This appointment is truly a dream come true and I am honored to serve my city.” Ms. Johnson said.

In January, the City of Newark invited local poets to submit proposals through an open call. A 15-member jury composed of community stakeholders, City staff, and poetry professionals—including two Poet Laureates from other cities—reviewed submissions and selected finalists to be interviewed. The City’s Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, fayemi shakur, led the selection process.

Ms. Johnson was chosen for the excellence of her poetic work, her extensive experience in community engagement, and her demonstrated ability to promote public appreciation for poetry. She will receive an annual honorarium of $5,000 and a programmatic budget of up to $10,000, administered by the City’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs. During her tenure, Ms. Johnson plans to lead writing workshops, listening sessions, and community engagement activities in all of Newark’s wards, culminating in a collaborative spoken word album.

“Newark is a city infused with poetry: It’s expressed in our schools, our community centers and on our grand stages. This art form enables us to tell the stories of our lives in the most authentic, compelling and lyrical ways,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “The appointment of Mia X as the city’s first Poet Laureate is a wonderful civic acknowledgment of the indispensable place poetry has in our hearts. Dodge Poetry and the Arts Center look forward to deepening our engagement with Mia X, a uniquely talented and community-engaged creative.”

As part of her appointment, Johnson will collaborate with Dodge Poetry, a joint initiative of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) that produces a biennial poetry festival and year-round poetry programming in Newark. She will work with Newark Public Schools and the Newark Public Library to expand poetry engagement efforts.

“Poetry is a powerful tool for self-expression, education, and cultural enrichment, and we are thrilled to partner with Newark’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Margie ‘Mia X’ Johnson, to bring this art form into our classrooms,” said Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León. “Ms. Johnson’s dedication to community engagement and the literary arts will inspire our students to find their voices and share their stories. This is an exciting opportunity to further integrate poetry into our curriculum and celebrate the creativity that thrives in our schools.”

Newark has a rich literary tradition, deeply influenced by the legacy of the late Amiri Baraka. The Poet Laureate program seeks to build upon this heritage by inspiring future generations of poets and strengthening the city’s literary community.

The Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs is the catalyst for participation, education, collaboration, and development to encourage and support excellence in the arts within the City of Newark. The Division is responsible for:  Overseeing the City’s arts initiatives; Supporting community engagement in arts and cultural programming and events throughout the City; Providing organizational support to existing and evolving art institutions; Developing a world-class public art program; Encouraging collaborative partnerships and investment in the City’s artists and arts and cultural organizations; and Supporting the creation of a more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, creative economy in Newark that enlivens our neighborhoods and fires the imaginations of our children.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF NEWARK