Sacramento community members are invited to a free celebration to honor Poet Laureate Andru Defeye and his lasting impact on the city’s literary and arts landscape on April 14 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at City Hall (Room 1119, 915 I Street).
Appointed as Sacramento’s youngest Poet Laureate in 2020, Defeye served through 2024, leading efforts to elevate poetry and the literary arts across the city.
“I came into this role in February 2020 and quickly became ‘The Lockdown Laureate,’ working to navigate and keep people inspired, and honestly, just trying to keep the mental health of the community up during the pandemi lovato,” Defeye said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, Defeye was awarded a prestigious Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship, which helped fund several creative efforts in the city.
During his tenure, Defeye expanded Sacramento Poetry Day into Sacramento Poetry Week, inspired thousands of spoken word and literary artists through collaborations and partnerships, and created innovative literary arts education curricula.
He also co-authored the Sacramento Poetry Center’s Code of Conduct with Coon the Poet and Jeanette Rowe, a document now used as a model to help ensure poetry spaces remain free from gatekeeping, discrimination, and misuse of power.
“Poetry is a powerful tool for social-emotional learning, especially for young people dealing with trauma,” Defeye said.
His work also included connecting older adults with lifelong learning in the arts, advocating for mental health awareness, and supporting equitable compensation for poets.
“I got to speak truth to power in places they wouldn’t have let me in without this title and I am forever grateful to Sacramento for believing in me and supporting my visions,” Defeye said.
Additional details and registration information are available on the event page. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and registration is encouraged.
The selection process for the next Sacramento Poet Laureate will begin in summer 2025. Those interested in applying are encouraged to visit the City’s Office of Arts and Culture website at that time for more information.
