Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks

Image by Art Shay, Gwendolyn Brooks on the front porch of her home in Chicago.

In 1996, the Academy of American Poets officially declared April as National Poetry Month. Poetry has played a significant role in Black culture, especially in Bronzeville. Poets such as Haki R. Madhubuthi and Richard Wright used their crafty words to express what the Black community in Bronzeville and throughout the globe was experiencing. Today, we are highlighting Chicago poet, author, and teacher: Gwendolyn Brooks.

Brooks was born on June 7, 1917 in Topeka, Kansas. However, her family relocated to the South side of Chicago when she was an infant and she would remain in Chicago until her death on December 3, 2000. She was educated by Chicago Public Schools and attended a two-year program at what is now known as Kennedy King College.

Brooks experienced success as a writer beginning in her teenage years. She was a regular contributor to the Chicago Defender and published her first book of poetry “A Street in Bronzeville” in 1945. In 1950 she made history by becoming the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

Brooks lived at 7428 S. Evans Ave. On February 10, 2010 her home was designated a Chicago landmark.

We honor her legacy!

“Living in the city, I wrote differently than I would have if I had been raised in Topeka, KS ... I am an organic Chicagoan. Living there has given me a multiplicity of characters to aspire for. I hope to live there the rest of my days. That's my headquarters.” -Gwedolyn Brooks