Yosimar Reyes (2024-2025)
8th County Poet Laureate
Reyes draws inspiration in his work from his personal experiences as an immigrant from Guerrero, Mexico and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He is a former Lambda Literary Fellow and Undocupoets Fellow who has toured across the country delivering keynote addresses, writing workshops, and performing his one-man show, Prieto, a coming-of-age story about migration, sexuality and socio-economic struggle. Yosimar’s writings have appeared in multiple online journals and poetry compilations, including Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry, Somewhere we are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings, and the forthcoming UndocuPoetics: An Introduction.
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County Poet Laureate Position
The Poet Laureate post was approved by the Board of Supervisors in November 2008 to elevate poetry among Santa Clara County residents and to help celebrate the literary arts. The Poet Laureate acts as a resource for poetry and literary activities to the Santa Clara County Library District, represents the County of Santa Clara through outreach related to poetry, conducts presentations of appropriate works at local events, and participates at activities to celebrate Poetry Month in April.
The Santa Clara County Library District works in partnership with Santa Clara County and SVCreates for the County Poet Laureate program. SVCREATES administers this program in partnership with the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) and Poetry Center San José. The County Poet Laureate holds a two-year term, starting on January 1 and ending December 31. The current term expires at the end of 2025.
Works of Past Poet Laureates
- Tshaka Campbell (2022-2023)
- Janice Lobo Sapigao (2020-2021)
- Mike McGee (2018-2019)
- Arlene Biala (2016-2017)
- David Perez (2014-2015)
- Sally Ashton (2012-2013)
- Nils Peterson (2009-2011)
Find short recordings of each prior County Poet Laureate reading their work on our YouTube page, opens a new window.