Olayiwola, MFA ’22 Appointed to Boston Public Library Board of Trustees

A new Emersonian is joining the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees, while another was honored for his time on the board.

Porsha Olayiwola, MFA ’22, and affiliated faculty member in the Writing, Literature and Publishing department, was recently named to the board by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

The board also recognized outgoing BPL trustee, Writing, Literature & Publishing Professor Jabari Asim, for his service on the board at their September 26 meeting.

Olayiwola is a writer, performer, educator, and curator who uses Afrofuturism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the Black, woman, and queer diasporas. She is an individual World Poetry Slam Champion, founder of the Roxbury Poetry Festival, and the current poet laureate for Boston.

The BPL Board of Trustees consists of 15 residents of Massachusetts. Trustees hold their office for a term of five years and until their successor is appointed.