- Target:
- Connecticut
- Region:
- United States of America
Lonnie Black was a poet, educator, advocate who sadly passed away this past August. Born and raised in Hartford, Lonnie started writing poetry at a young age and taught at elementary schools and became a Master Teacher Artist through the CT Commission on the Arts, was Co-founder of the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, creator and host of the Three Connecticut Poets, a series that ran for 25 years, and served as a Creative Writing Instructor for the Litchfield Performing Arts Program for fifteen years Lonnie made a lasting impression in the lives of children he taught , adult's whose work he edited and came to be known as "The Poetry Man".
We, the People of the State of Connecticut, believe the Hartford Poet Laureate honorary award would be enriched by including the name of Lonnie Black. Lonnie was a Hartford resident who worked tirelessly to advocate, teach and judge various poetry awards in addition to his own work as a poet.
Lonnie taught poetry to children of all ages from elementary schools in Hartford as a visiting Master Teacher Artist and through the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. He was named co-founder of the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival and was the creator and host of a poetry series called the Three Connecticut Poets that was held for 25 years. Lonnie made a lasting impression in the lives of children he taught and countless adults whose work he edited. He was sometimes called “The Poetry Man”. Served on various boards such as The Friends and Enemies of Wallace Stevens, Tabor House, Hands on Hartford (formerly Center City Churches), Pump House Gallery.
We are confident with the inclusion Lonnie’s name in this award, the meaning and value would significantly increase.
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The Naming of the Hartford Poet Laureate petition to Connecticut was written by Katie Irish and is in the category Arts & Entertainment at GoPetition.