SHARE

Bettina 'Gold' Wilkerson Named 2017 Dutchess County Poet Laureate

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Residents who love poetry will be pleased to know the county's newest Poet Laureate is Poughkeepsie resident Bettina “Gold” Wilkerson.

Bettina "Gold" Wilkerson

Bettina "Gold" Wilkerson

Photo Credit: Contributed

In her unpaid role as Dutchess County’s Poet Laureate, Wilkerson will serve for a one-year term and bring poetry to the community through a series of readings and events.

“As Poet Laureate, through a series of poetry workshops and performances, I hope to empower communities to find their voice for their dreams, goals, and aspirations,” Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson was the recipient of the 2016 Dutchess County Executive’s “Artivist” Award; a 2016 Dutchess County Athena Award honoree by The Chamber Foundation, Inc.; the 2016 recipient of the Exempt Firemen’s Association Black Heritage Committee’s “Outstanding Community Service Award” for Extraordinary Contribution and Dedication; and the 2014 New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Individual Artist Tier Grant awardee for Dutchess County, among others honors. 

She was selected from 65 nominations by a panel of literary professionals and community members.

Wilkerson will kick-off her duties by presenting a poem at County Executive Marcus Molinaro's State of the County address at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.

to follow Daily Voice Southwest Dutchess and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE