AWARD-WINNING POET AMUCHECHUKWU NWAFOR CHOSEN STERLING A. BROWN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE HONORING LITERARY GIANT AND DC’S FIRST POET LAUREATE

A rising star in the Washington Metropolitan Region’s literary community, Amuchechukwu Nwafor  (Amuche the Poet) has appeared at a variety of venues including Towson University, the University of the District of Columbia, The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts (pre-DJT), the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and Busboys and Poets, among others. She is an award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Salt Water Roots (Day Eight 2024).

Amuchechukwu Nwafor

“Nwafor was selected by Esther Productions Inc. as the Sterling A. Brown Artist in Residence because her poetry is in the tradition of the Black literary and folklore aesthetic established by Brown as early as 1927 and that has been championed or emulated by African American writers across multiple generations and movements” said jonetta rose barras, founding president of Esther Productions Inc.

Raised in Mt. Rainier, MD. Nwafor is currently a resident of the Brookland neighborhood in the District of Columbia —a geography she shares with Brown, DC’s first Poet Laureate who spent a large portion of his adult life on Kearney St. NE.

Nwafor has said her poetry touches on the African diaspora. She considers her poems to be still life paintings of intimate experiences, emotions and observations. Unquestionably Nwafor’s work echoes Brown’s folkloric poetry, serving as evidence of his enduring legacy.

Poet, scholar, cultural critic, Sterling A. Brown had a remarkable music collection of more than 3,000 songs. His archives are held by Williams Special Collections at Williams College

“We expect that Nwafor will help instigate greater interest in and study of Sterling A. Brown—his invaluable contribution to the American literary canon,” said barras.

During her yearlong fellowship and residency. Nwafor is expected to present at least one public reading of her new and original poetry. She will also lead three In the Tradition: Writing Workshops—two will be opened to youth ages 14 through 18 and one will be for adults. Nwafor will also edit a chapbook of writings by program participants.  

Find her on Instagram at @amuchethepoet.