The Lansing Poetry Club, the RCAH Center for Poetry at Michigan State University and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) partner to select a Poet Laureate to engage the tri-county community in the literary arts. The intent of the program is to promote poetry as an art form, expand access to the literary arts, connect the community to poetry and showcase poetry as a literary voice that contributes to a greater sense of place.
The Lansing Poet Laureate program is the first of its kind for the greater Lansing region, stimulating the transformative impact of poetry. With this appointment, the Lansing Poet Laureate will offer instructional workshops and readings for the public each year.
The Lansing Poet Laureate program is the first of its kind for the greater Lansing region, stimulating the transformative impact of poetry. With this appointment, the Lansing Poet Laureate will offer instructional workshops and readings for the public each year.
Masaki Takahashi,
2022-20224 Lansing Poet Laureate Masaki Takahashi grew up in the Lansing area, an alumnus of Okemos Public Schools, Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, and Davenport University. He is the founder and host of The Poetry Room Open Mic, a popular and dynamic spoken word series established in 2017 at The Robin Theatre in Lansing’s REO Town. Now a 501 3C non-profit, The Poetry Room hosts a variety of events both in-person and online and features locally and nationally beloved poets, while also raising money for local non-profits. In addition, Masaki has presented numerous workshops in area schools, both in spoken word and in computer coding. Masaki is a highly skilled and compelling performer and has appeared in numerous spoken word events in Michigan and nationally. His poetry has been featured on Lunch Ticket, Vol. 17; and Rigor, Vol. 5, Issue. His work and influence on the Greater Lansing Area poetry community has been profiled in the Lansing State Journal, Dec 7, 2019 ("6 people to watch: Leaders making a difference in Lansing's business scene and community") and the City Pulse, Nov. 24, 2021 ("Masaki Takahashi and building a powerful poetry culture in Lansing"). As the new Poet Laureate, Masaki hopes to have the city buzzing with poetry events, hold space for People of Color, and introduce our community to the world of slam poetry. The sky is the limit. |