By Aneesa Grant, The Tacoma True Citizen
The Tacoma Arts Commission has announced that Christian Paige has been selected as the 2023-2025 Tacoma Poet Laureate. Paige is set to participate in and host public poetry readings, workshops, and other community events to advance the literary arts in Tacoma over the next two years.
“As Poet Laureate, I plan to focus on two things,” said Paige. “I come from the world of education and have seen the impact that art can have on young people. I want to create programming that provides space for them to see themselves as creators. I also want to create consistent spaces for the poet voices of Tacoma to be heard, consistently.”
In honor of National Poetry Month, 2021-2023 Tacoma Poet Laureate Lydia K. Valentine, the Tacoma Arts Commission, and Tacoma Public Library will host Pass the Torch, a poetry event at which Paige will officially be awarded the title. This free, public event will take place on Wednesday, April 12 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Tacoma Public Library’s Moore Branch – 215 S. 56th St. The event will be livestreamed on the Tacoma Arts Commission’s Facebook page, and will feature a conversation between Valentine and Paige, as well as readings of their poems.
Paige is an Emmy-nominated spoken word poet, a professional speaker, and an educator who speaks at schools, conferences, and events across the United States. He is passionate about community, anti-racism, equity, and empowerment. Paige has spent his entire career in and around education advocating for historically marginalized populations and working to create equitable environments where young people can thrive.
Paige’s work has appeared on national stages, on television, and in museum exhibits. He was born and raised in Tacoma, Wash., where he currently resides and creates.
“I am just somebody who wants community to work for everybody,” said Paige.
