A new poet laureate has been announced for Athens-Clarke County. Mikhayla Robinson Smith is a local poet, author, spoken word artist and essayist. She will be Athens’ second poet laureate and the first Black woman in the position since the role was created in 2021.
Smith will serve a two-year term promoting and engaging in free, public poetry programming. She was chosen by a committee of local poets, educators, librarians and arts administrators to elevate the visibility of poetry throughout the community.
The poet laureate program is administered by the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Arts Division.
