A Poet for the People
Minneapolis has a new voice to guide its poetic soul. Junauda Petrus, a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and performance visionary, has been named the City of Minneapolis Poet Laureate for the 2025-2026 term. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Petrus is a creative force whose work celebrates Blackness, queerness, and ancestral healing, weaving together the rich tapestry of her Trinidadian and Crucian heritage with the vibrant stories of Minneapolis’ Black communities.
A Legacy of Art and Activism
Petrus’ artistry is deeply rooted in her family’s Caribbean heritage and the resilience of the African diaspora. Her work explores themes of the Middle Passage, ancestral magic, and the beauty of Black life, often blending speculative fiction, magical realism, and poetic storytelling. From her acclaimed debut novel, The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, which won the 2020 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award, to her groundbreaking children’s book, Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?, Petrus has consistently used her art to imagine abolitionist futures and celebrate intergenerational healing.
Her contributions to the arts have earned her numerous accolades, including:
- A Jerome Travel and Study Grant for research on queerness and African-inspired spiritualities in Trinidad and Tobago.
- The Many Voices Mentorship from the Playwright’s Center.
- Being named City Pages’ Artist of the Year in 2016.
- A Minnesota Book Award Finalist nod in 2023 for her children’s book.
A Visionary for Minneapolis
As Poet Laureate, Petrus will serve as a cultural ambassador for Minneapolis, using poetry to connect communities, celebrate the city’s diversity, and address pressing social issues. “Poetry is soul medicine,” Petrus shared upon her appointment. “To serve the people of my city as Poet Laureate is a deep honor. I will soak this city in joy, healing, and intergenerational togetherness through poetry.”
Petrus’ work is deeply intertwined with the cultural and social fabric of Minneapolis. As a co-founder of the experimental artist collective Free Black Dirt, she has created innovative performances that blend aerial circus arts, theater, and social justice. Her appointment as Poet Laureate reflects the city’s commitment to uplifting artists who embody its values of creativity, equity, and community.
A Unifying Voice in Challenging Times
In a statement, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised Petrus’ selection, noting, “At a time when we are all increasingly isolated, poetry unites us in our shared humanity. Junauda Petrus will carry forward this important tradition, using her unique voice to help bring our diverse communities closer together.”
Petrus’ vision for her term is both ambitious and deeply rooted in love. “In this time of increasing economic disparities, climate catastrophe, widespread houselessness, genocide, and criminalization of the most marginalized, we need artists to be a part of necessary healing and change,” she said. “As a child of Black Caribbean immigrants, raised in the ‘hood amid the diversity of this city, I give thanks to all of the ancestors of my family and this land. With deep love, I will be the people’s poet with all my heart.”
A Celebration of Community and Creativity
The selection process, administered by The Loft Literary Center, saw 24 applicants vying for the prestigious role. A panel of five community members unanimously chose Petrus, recognizing her ability to bridge communities and transform the city’s relationship with poetry. Four finalists—Halee Kirkwood, Sagirah Shahid, Kyle Tran Myhre, and Khadija Charif—were also celebrated for their contributions to the literary arts.
What’s Next for Minneapolis’ Poet Laureate
Over the next two years, Petrus will engage with Minneapolis residents through readings, workshops, and community initiatives. Her work will amplify the voices of marginalized communities, celebrate the city’s cultural richness, and inspire a new generation of poets and storytellers.
A Call to Action
Junauda Petrus’ appointment is a reminder of the power of art to heal, unite, and transform. As she steps into this role, she invites all of Minneapolis to join her in celebrating the beauty, struggle, and magic of our city through poetry.
Let’s welcome Junauda Petrus as our Poet Laureate and embrace the transformative power of her words.