marcus amaker

Marcus Amaker was named Charleston, SC’s first Poet Laureate in 2016, and an Academy of American Poets fellow in 2021. He’s also an award-winning graphic designer, an electronic musician, the creator of a poetry festival, and a mentor.

His poetry has been recognized by The Kennedy Center, American Poets Magazine, SPIN, Chicago Opera Theater, The Washington National Opera, The Portland Opera, Button Poetry, NPR, The Chicago Tribune, Edutopia, Washington Post, Departures Magazine, PBS Newshour, SC Public Radio, Post and Courier, and several other publications.

In 2019, he won a Governor’s Arts award in South Carolina, and was named the artist-in-residence of the Gaillard Center, a world-renowned performance and education venue.

His poetry has been studied in classrooms around the country, and has been interpreted for ballet, jazz, modern dance, opera and theater. Marcus has recorded three albums with Grammy Award winning drummer and producer Quentin E. Baxter.

His tenth book is Hold What Makes You Whole, from Free Verse Press.