• Skip to content
City of Asylum

City of Asylum

Giving Voice.

  • About Us
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Volunteering
    • Sponsors
    • Contact
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Program Archive
  • Festivals
    • Jazz Poetry Month 2025
    • LitFest 2024
  • Residencies
  • Placemaking
    • City of Asylum House Publications
    • Alphabet City
    • Alphabet Reading Garden
    • River of Words
    • Digital Sanctuaries
    • Community Resources
  • Projects
    • Poet Laureate
    • Sampsonia Way Magazine
    • City of Asylum Book Publications
    • Pittsburgh Live/Ability: Encounters in Poetry & Prose
  • Bridges Creative Summit
  • Visit Us
    • City of Asylum Bookstore
    • Cucina Alfabeto Restaurant
    • Directions
    • Transportation
  • Donate
Home » Projects » Poet Laureate » Poet Laureate Alumni

On behalf of the RAD board and staff, sincere congratulations to Celeste Gainey, Vincent Folkes, Maryjean (Mj) Shahen, and Paloma Sierra as City of Asylum’s inaugural Poet Laureates. We are proud to support this program with a RADical ImPAct grant, which celebrates RAD’s 25-year history and shines light on the people and projects that will inspire our region for the next 25 years. We are delighted to have our own Poet Laureates right here in Allegheny County to engage our imaginations and our empathy, and to inspire us with their words. Now more than ever, we value the vital connection to community that the arts provide. Thank you for your work and we look forward to seeing and hearing more throughout the year.

-RAD Board Chair Dusty Elias Kirk

Meet the past Poets Laureate of Allegheny County!

Celeste Gainey

Celeste Gainey

City of Asylum Poet Laureate of Allegheny County2020-2022
Danielle Obisie-Orlu

Danielle Obisie-Orlu

Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County 2021-2022
Vincent Folkes

Vincent Folkes

Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, 2020-2021
Maryjean (Mj) Shahen

Maryjean (Mj) Shahen

American Sign Language Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, 2020-2021
Paloma Sierra

Paloma Sierra

Emerging Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, 2020-2021

Meet the past Youth Poet Ambassadors of Allegheny County!

Emily Tea

Emily Tea

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2022-2023
Aja Lynn

Aja Lynn

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2021-22 and 2022-23
Jade Davis

Jade Davis

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2022-2023
Audrey Alling

Audrey Alling

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2022-2023
Jayla Andrews

Jayla Andrews

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2020-2021
Oladunni Bejide

Oladunni Bejide

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2020-2021
Abigail Gallen

Abigail Gallen

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2020-2021
Grey Weatherford-Brown

Grey Weatherford-Brown

Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County, 2020-2021
About City of Asylum
City of Asylum builds a just community by protecting and celebrating freedom of creative expression.
Contact City of Asylum
City of Asylum
40 W. North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-435-1110
Email: contact@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
Follow City of Asylum
Subscribe to City of Asylum's mailing list to receive newsletter and event updates.
Twitter Instagram YouTube Email Google Maps
RAD Works Here logo

Copyright © 2025 · City of Asylum