Poetic Justice Institute Launches at Fordham
We are proud to announce the launch of Poetic Justice Institute at Fordham University. Poetic Justice Institute fosters a community of poets, scholars, students, and social justice workers who explore the power of poetry to change the world for the better through acts of imagination and the energy of new languages and visions.
Its mission is to explore and celebrate American poetry and poetics as indispensable tools for social and personal transformation.
Poetic Justice Institute builds on the foundational work of Poets Out Loud (POL). For nearly 30 years, POL has offered NYC and Fordham University a vibrant poetry community. From a small, unfunded reading series—begun in 1992 by a group of volunteer Fordham faculty, students, and staff—POL has grown into a national organization that houses an event series, a book series with Fordham Press, and outreach programs. Its mission has been to provide opportunities for the creation, dissemination, and enjoyment of poetry.
Now Poets Out Loud builds on its rich history to launch Poetic Justice Institute. In response to our unprecedented historical moment, Poetic Justice Institute will not only continue to serve the Fordham University and NYC communities but will also increase their reach through digital and print technologies to include a national network of poets, scholars, and social justice workers.
The institute will select a theme every two years in response to what is urgent in the national focus. Their 2020 - 2022 theme is WITNESS. Poetic Justice Institute will feature a festival, podcast, reading series and will continue to publish two new volumes of poetry annually in partnership with Fordham University Press.
The endeavor is co-directed by Professors Elisabeth Frost and Sarah Gambito with the assistance of Fordham English PhD student Maddie Forbes. During the 2020 - 2021 academic year, Poetic Justice Institute will be in conversation with Demos as to how language can help shape and transform our society. In addition, they will be raising funds to support Demos activities and initiatives. Demos is a dynamic “think-and-do” tank that powers the movement for a just, inclusive, multiracial democracy.