The City Manager, Mayor, the Worcester City Council and the Office of Cultural Development have announced the appointments of the City of Worcester Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate.
The City of Worcester Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate will serve as official ambassadors of our historic, vibrant poetic and literary culture, using their positions to promote our great writers and the transformative qualities of poetry and the written word throughout the community.
The objectives of the City of Worcester's Poet Laureate Programs are to:
- Enhance the presence and appreciation of poetry and literary arts in Greater Worcester.
- Celebrate the spirit of the people and special qualities of Worcester, the City of Innovation.
- Raise awareness of the power of literature, poetry and the spoken word.
- Provide a forum for collaborative art forms.
- Engage and support an emerging generation of poets and spoken word artists.
- Provide access to poetry and literary arts to all sectors of the community.
- Encourage the reading and writing of both poetry and the written word.
A four person committee was formed to review dozens of applications to the Poet Laureate programs. Distinguished poet, organizer, and cultural leader Nicole Jean Turner has been selected as Worcester's next Poet Laureate, to serve from January 2026 until December 2028. Samara Tang-Rainwater, a student at Doherty Memorial High School, became the fourth Youth Poet Laureate in Worcester, preceded by Serenity Jackson. Tang-Rainwater will serve from January 2026 through December 2027.
Poet Laureate
Nicole Jean Turner
Nicole Jean Turner is the poet laureate of Worcester Massachusetts for 2026-2028; a hand-patched, sticker-smattered, snagged-lace-layered writer. She writes in cursive to hide butchered spelling that might otherwise raise suspicion about her master's degree in writing.
That sleight-of-hand humor reflects Turner's lyrical, relatable style. Formally described as drawing from minimalist traditions in a post-confessional mode, her work intersects fragmented, voice-driven burnt tongue with layered metaphor across both poetry and prose, spanning a wide range of audiences, from inspirational children's poetry to award-winning formal verse.
Turner prefers to be described as just another one of the writers you might find in the dive bar that Worcester's longest-running weekly poetry event, the Dirty Gerund Poetry Show, calls home. A regular reader for more than a decade, she coaches the slam team and organizes a traveling arm of the show, repackaging its late-night literary ruckus for museums, cafés, and other all-ages audiences.
Turner first emerged from the spoken word poetry scene of Syracuse, New York, in 2012 under the stage name Nic Jean. Since then, she has strung literary heartstrings from the Pacific Northwest to New England, connecting stages, pages, and workshop spaces with those drawn to subversive, DIY, community-centric work.
Turner's authenticity reflects her deep commitment to accessibility, prioritizing art that meets people where they are. Whether working within more traditional literary spaces or mentoring emerging writers outside a dive bar, she consistently encourages others to shed their preconceived ideas of what a writer should look or sound like and to claim their own distinct voices and stage presence.
Education: Regis College MFA
Youth Poet Laureate
Samara Tang-Rainwater
Samara Tang-Rainwater is a 14-year-old freshman at Doherty Memorial High School. Tang- Rainwater is a multifaceted young artist whose passions span writing, music, service, and leadership. She is a pianist, trombonist, and percussionist, playing cymbals in the drum corp at her home church, Pleasant Street Seventh Day Adventist. She began writing poetry at age 11 and is committed to continuously refining her craft.
At school, Tang-Rainwater is a member of the robotics team and the 365Z Community Service Club. She is deeply involved in her church community. She participates in the Pathfinder Club and is a member of a two-time winning Bible Bowl team. Additionally, she completes community service projects, writes and presents sermonettes, and is part of Jasper, the church’s youth dance group. She also takes part in the church’s teen leadership program.
Tang-Rainwater represents the Greendale Branch of the YMCA and participates in its Leadership Development Program, where she volunteers and gains experience working with children. She is currently enrolled in the Biomedical Science Program at Doherty Memorial High School and aspires to pursue a career as a human rights attorney.
Poets Laureate Requests and Appearance Scheduling
To request the scheduling of either or both Poets Laureate for an appearance, please complete the Worcester Poet Laureate Appearance Requests Form. Click on the form below.
Previous Poets Laureate
Oliver de la Paz
Poet Laureate (2023 - 2025)
Juan Matos
Poet Laureate (2020 - 2022)
Serenity Jackson
Youth Poet Laureate (2024 - 2025)
Adael "Ace" Mejia
Youth Poet Laureate (2022 - 2023)
Amina Mohammed
Youth Poet Laureate (2020 - 2021)
Contact Information
Address
Cultural Development
City Hall Room 409
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
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Phone: 508-799-1400
Fax: 508-799-1406
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