Suffolk poet laureate seeks submissions for anthology of Black poets

Suffolk County Poet Laureate Chip Williford, in partnership with the Caribbean American Poetry Association, is seeking submissions for a new anthology featuring the work of Black poets from Long Island.

The anthology, titled Celebrating Jupiter: An Anthology of Black Poets, is intended to mark the centennial of the formal observance of Black History and honor Jupiter Hammon, recognized as the first published Black poet in America. Hammon was enslaved in Suffolk County.

Organizers are seeking poems from 100 poets who live, work or have affiliations in Suffolk County or elsewhere on Long Island. The call is open to students, emerging writers and established poets.

The submission window opened Feb. 26 and closes May 26. Poets may submit up to three poems, with a maximum of 500 words per poem. Selected works will be published in the anthology and featured during a National Black Poetry Day tribute later this year.

Williford said the project is intended to create space for a broad range of voices and experiences. In addition to serving as poet laureate, he is one of the hosts of Poetry Street, the Riverhead-based poetry group that meets monthly at Riverhead Free Library for featured readings and an open mic session.

CAPA president and founder Dr. Beryl R. Williams said the anthology is meant both to honor Hammon’s legacy and connect Black poets across the region.

Entries must be submitted as Word documents by email to chipwillifordpoetlaureate@gmail.com or caribbeanamericanpoetry@gmail.com with the subject line “Anthology of Black Poets.” The guidelines state that AI-generated work and poems with graphic, violent or otherwise inappropriate themes will not be accepted.

Williford was appointed Suffolk County’s 12th poet laureate in 2025, becoming the first African American to hold the position. CAPA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Caribbean poetry in the United States and promoting the work of Caribbean American poets.